File photo: China Daily

HONG KONG, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong people have started celebrating Dragon Boat Festival which falls on June 14 this year. In the rich festive atmosphere, people were glad to see the society, which was in grip of violence and unrest in 2019, returning to the right track.

"This year's business will be better than last year's since the epidemic is basically controlled and the social order has been restored," said Luo Hongde, owner of a restaurant in Causeway Bay, one of the busiest shopping areas in Hong Kong.

Dragon Boat Festival lands on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. People will eat rice dumplings and watch dragon boat contests. It is a public holiday in Hong Kong and people are enjoying their long holiday which began on Saturday.

Recalling the violence in 2019, Luo said it was a devastating blow to restaurants in the financial hub as people were afraid to go out and felt insecure, leading to a plunge in the business of his restaurant.

Since the implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the public order in Hong Kong has obviously improved, Luo said, adding that people were at ease when the society is stable.

"The national security law in Hong Kong allows us to enjoy every festival without any fear," said Becky Cheng, a sales representative, who was busy making rice dumplings for her friends and colleagues.

She said that if it was not the law, no one could tell when the violence would end.

During the days of violence, a peaceful holiday was once far-fetched for most Hong Kong people including Langton Cheung.

Although primary schools were not directly affected, the turbulent social atmosphere had caused people to feel uneasy, Cheung, a primary school headmaster, said, adding that roads were closed everywhere back then, making students' way to school difficult.

Cheung was delighted that the social environment has largely been improved and street violence no longer existed. "We are more than happy to see the return of peace and stability in our society," he said.

With social environment stabilized and epidemic situation eased, indoor activities in Hong Kong such as concerts and art exhibitions have gradually resumed.

Hong Kong singer Susila Fan performed at a concert held at the Tuen Mun Town Hall earlier this month, which was delayed for some 18 months due to the social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stability and prosperity meant a lot to artists like her. At least they did not have to worry not being able to reach the performance venue when roads were blocked by rioters, she added.