The MSAR Government will hold a series of celebrations in commemoration of the 53rd National Day on 1st October.

The day will begin with a flag raising ceremony in Lotus Park at 8:00 a.m. The ceremony will be presided over by Chief Executive Edmund Ho and attended by the President of CPPCC, Ma Man Kei, the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People¡¦s Government in the MSAR, Bai Zhijian, the Commissioner of the Macau SAR Commission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC, Wan Yongxiang, the Commanding Officer of the Macau PLA Garrison, Liu Lianhua, the President of the Legislative Assembly, Susana Chou, the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Sam Hou Fai, as well as principal officials and other honorable guests.

The flag raising ceremony will be followed by the National Day Marathon. Over 7,600 people will participate in the three-kilometer run starting at Lotus Park.

The official reception will be held in the afternoon, during which the Chief Executive will deliver a speech.

The celebrations will continue in the evening with the final display of the 14th Macao International Fireworks Festival starting at 9:00 p.m. Two fireworks manufacturers from China and France will be competing for the trophy. Food stalls will also be set up to provide free drinks and snacks.