People watch fireworks to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland in Hong Kong, south China, July 1, 2012. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

Fireworks light up the sky during a fireworks show to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland in Hong Kong, south China, July 1, 2012. (Xinhua/Chen Xiaowei)

Fireworks light up the sky during a fireworks show marking the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland in Hong Kong, south China, July 1, 2012. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

People watch a fireworks show to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland in Hong Kong, south China, July 1, 2012. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

People watch a fireworks show to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland in Hong Kong, south China, July 1, 2012. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

Fireworks light up the sky during a fireworks show to mark the 15th anniversary of the Hong Kong's return to China in Hong Kong, south China, July 1, 2012. (Xinhua/Chen Xiaowei)

Fireworks light up the sky during a fireworks show to mark the 15th anniversary of the Hong Kong's return to China in Hong Kong, south China, July 1, 2012. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

HONG KONG, July 1 (Xinhua) -- A spectacular fireworks extravaganza was held in Hong Kong on Sunday night as one of the activities to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

The multi-colored fireworks show, starting at 8:00 p.m. over the Victoria Harbor, drew thousands of citizens who lined the banks of the harbor to watch the flash in the sky.

Of multi-shaped fireworks erupting over the skyscrapers, some spelled out the letters of "HK" in English and "15" in Chinese characters, marking the 15th anniversary of the city's return to China.

Dazzled by the blaze of fireworks, Hong Kong citizens exclaimed with pleasure during the 23-minute show. "The fireworks are truly fantastic," said a local man surnamed So.

The total value of fireworks prepared for the anniversary was about 8 million HK dollars (about 1.03 million U.S. dollars), said the event sponsor in earlier June.

Hong Kong's new chief executive Leung Chun-ying, sworn in on Sunday morning, was among the spectators.

Other activities staged to mark the anniversary include a flag- raising ceremony, artistic performances, carnivals and parachute jumping performance. Nearly 100,000 Hong Kong residents have participated in the celebrations, according to the Hong Kong Celebration Association.