Early start to handover parties

Guests and officials tucked away half-a-tonne of pork, chicken, duck and seafood at a 100-table traditional rural communal meal in Tuen Mun last night to celebrate the end of British rule in 107 days.

There were 1,200 diners at the three-hour banquet, which took 30 cooks nearly three days to prepare.

Called poon choi - meaning food in a basin - the communal meal is served in walled villages at important occasions when all villagers gather to celebrate.

It symbolises unity and reunion.

Chef Lai Kai-cheong, who headed a team of 30 cooks, said: 'It is meaningful to have a poon choi banquet to celebrate Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

'I am a nobody in society. But I am glad I can do something for the handover,' said Mr Lai.