Some 30,000 people held a grand parade Friday to celebrate the 8th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

With the theme of "creating harmonious society and promoting economic development," the parade was jointly initiated by 19 mass organizations, including the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, and had the participation of some 850 organizations.

The whole program started around 10 a.m. (0200 GMT) by a national flag raising ceremony at Hong Kong Stadium.

Cheng You-tong, president of the Hong Kong Federation of the Trade Unions and head of the preparatory committee of the parade, said at the ceremony that Hong Kong people would like to show through the parade their aspiration for a harmonious society and economic prosperity.

He expressed the hope that under the leadership of new Chief Executive Donald Tsang, the people of Hong Kong would continue to develop the economy, create more jobs and build a harmonious society.

The parade began at about 10:30. At the head of the parade were 20 vintage cars and 10 motor cycles, followed by citizens holding national flags and the flags of the HKSAR and a silver band. About 100 performing groups gave performances of local dances, yangko, Chaozhou drum, roller skating and some other folk dances.

Many organizations also held flag raising ceremonies and exhibitions to celebrate the 8th anniversary. The parade, which lasted about four hours and ended at Southorn playground, Wan Chai, pushed the celebrations to the peak.

Various Hong Kong organizations hold a series of activities around July 1 every year to celebrate the anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

(Xinhua News Agency July 2, 2005)