Hong Kong marks 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender with ceremony to honour second world war fighters
As Beijing prepared for a military parade on Thursday to mark the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in the second world war, Hong Kong commemorated the date which saw the occupation of the city lifted with its own ceremony.
As Beijing prepared for a military parade on Thursday to mark the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in the second world war, Hong Kong commemorated the date which saw the occupation of the city lifted with its own ceremony.
As the event began, light rain stopped and sunlight bathed the crowd of about 700 dignitaries, school children and veterans who had come to pay their respects to those who died fighting in the war.
Acting chief executive John Tsang Chun-wah attended the event, along with representatives from Beijing and war veterans’ groups. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying meanwhile, leads a 287-strong delegation to Beijing for the military parade marking the anniversary.
The flags of Hong Kong and China were raised at City Hall just after 8am before a police rifle squad fired a 21-gun salute in remembrance of those who died fighting in the war.
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Later, the national anthem was sung by students from St Paul’s Co-educational College, while nine wreaths were laid at the City Hall Memorial Garden.