Hong Kong held a magnificent flag-raising ceremony on Monday morning at the Golden Bauhinia Square to mark the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

C Y Leung, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, attended the ceremony with about 2,500 people, including invited guests, senior officials and members of youth uniformed groups and community groups.

A designated area with a capacity of about 1,000 viewers was crowded with members of public and tourists waiting to watch the ceremony.

Guard of Honor of the Disciplined Services and the Flag and Escort Parties marched in the square with the music played by the Hong Kong Police Band.

At 8 a.m., the National Flag and the Regional Flag were raised up, accompanied by the National Anthem, while crowds standing up and remaining in solemn silence.

Meanwhile, two helicopters of the Government Flying Service carrying the National Flag and the Regional Flag flew by to pay tribute.

The crowd showed great excitement to see the flags flying at the top of the masts. A large number of people stayed behind for photographs after the ceremony.

Local resident Ms Leung, who lived in Tuen Mun, the New Territories, got up as early as 5 am to get prepared for the trip to the Hong Kong Island where the Golden Bauhinia Square locates with her two young children.

She said that they were happy to take part in the jubilant moment and it was an opportunity for her sons to learn more about the National and Regional flags.

Many of the attendees of the ceremony were tourists from the Chinese Mainland, saying it was exceptionally meaningful to join Hong Kong people celebrating the National Day.