A great multitude of people are gathering in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and some other downtown areas in Hong Kong on the Christmas eve, one of the most important holidays for Hong Kong residents.

   
Colorful lights along major streets and buildings, beautiful Christmas trees in parks and big shopping malls and big signs of "Sales" on the windows of big boutiques ... everything is indicating Christmas is coming.
   
Having increased pays or bonus at hands, many young people had already rushed to shops and bazaars at the Times Square, SOGO, Harbor City and many other shopping centers in the afternoon to buy fashions, jewelry pieces, watches and other things as gifts for family members, friends or just for pleasing themselves.
   
So far about 300,000 people are gathering at Tsim Sha Tsui, one of most popular tourism spot in Hong Kong, and the police are expecting a record turnout of more than 400,000 people this night. Crowd control measures are being implemented in Tsim Sha Tsui.
   
Street party and countdown for welcoming the Christmas has already been an attraction for young people. Trains and buses services have been increased and extended for the holiday.
   
Hong Kong residents and tourists have also gone to the Statue Square in the Central District to see Christmas performances, street dances and Karaok contests.
   
Over 330,000 people put their wishes on the dozens of "whites trees" erected at the square, wishing good health, good prospects and successes in their carrier.
   
Companies for lighting decorations on buildings said that their business has increased by at least 5 percent this year, thanks to the much improved economic growth here.
   
Hong Kong Retail Management Association expected that retail consumption volume is expected to rise about 5 percent during the Christmas holidays in Hong Kong. The association believed with the opening of Disney Land Park in Hong Kong next year, Hong Kong's retail consumption volume is expected to rise 9 percent next year.
   
Many shopping centers said that the number of their customers raised about 20 percent these days and Christmas trees, gifts, decorations and dried flowers have been better sold this year.
   
Lisa Chen from a publishing house said she has spent about 1,000 HK dollars (US$128.20) for Christmas gifts. She'd like to share her happiness with her friends for her increased salaries.     
   
Hugo Xu, who just renewed his annual contract with a 5 percent income hike with his boss Friday, went a bazaar to Times Square, bought a pair of Ecco-brand casual shoes and a watch for his newlywed wife, who came to visit him from Shanghai.
   
Going to cinemas and theaters are also choices of many young people. In the cinema of the Pacific Palace and outside the Elizabeth Stadium, people lined up in long queues in the evening, waiting to watch films and performances of Hong Kong pop singers.
   
"People, people everywhere, and nowhere to hide," if one does not believe, just go out to the downtown areas to observe what is a holiday in Hong Kong.

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2004)