Hong Kong's Government House will be open on March 9 for the public visitors to enjoy the blossoming azaleas in spring time and to see the places where the Chief Executive holds important official functions and receives dignitaries, a government spokesman said on Saturday.

"Government House will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 9. It is open to the public twice a year. The previous open day on Nov. 11 last year attracted about 5,000 visitors," the spokesman said.

The Government House is now used as a venue for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the Chief Executive to hold important official functions, such as official banquets in honor of visiting heads of state/government, and honors and awards presentation ceremonies.

Government House was formerly the official residence and office of 25 of Hong Kong's 28 governors. Construction work started in 1851, and took four years to complete.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2008)