A ceremony in commemoration of those who died in the defense of Hong Kong in the war years between 1941 and 1945 was held at the City Hall Memorial Garden Monday morning.
Tung Chee Hwa, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), attended the ceremony and laid a wreath.
Former members of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column and representatives of war veteran groups were present at the event and paid their respect to their fellow soldiers in the war years.
Tung said in his speech that the ceremony was held to commemorate those who died in the defense of Hong Kong and that he hoped the later generations will remember the history and cherish the life and peace.
The ceremony was attended by Fok Ying-tung, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; Xiong Ziren, commander of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison; Wang Fengchao, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR; as well as senior government officials, and representatives of the Executive Council, the Legislative Council and the Judiciary.
(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2002)
