An annual ceremony to commemorate those who died in defending Hong Kong in the war years between 1941 and 1945 was held here at the City Hall Memorial Garden Tuesday morning.

The Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Donald Tsang, attended the ceremony and laid a wreath.

Senior government officials, representatives of the Executive Council, the Legislative Council and the Judiciary also were present.

They were joined by representatives of the Central People's Government organizations in Hong Kong, members of the Consular Corps, religious leaders, community dignitaries, former members of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column and representatives of war veterans' groups, uniformed and student groups.

(Xinhua News Agency October 12, 2005)