At the invitation of the Central People's Government, a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation led by HKSAR Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa left for Beijing Thursday morning to attend celebrations of the 55th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The delegation, comprising more than 200 representatives, will meet state leaders before attending a reception and a cultural performance.

Tung Chee Hwa said at the airport that the delegation covered representatives from various sectors of the community and the size of the delegation was the ever largest since Hong Kong's return to the motherland seven years ago, which showed the importance the Central Government attached to Hong Kong.

He said he was delighted to go to Beijing to celebrate the new China's founding anniversary and convey congratulations on behalf of HKSAR people.

The delegation members include deputies to the National People's Congress and members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Hong Kong, personage from political, legal, education fields and various other sectors of the community, leading businessmen and part of the newly elected members of the third-term of the Legislative Council, which will become effective in October.

Also at the invitation of the Chinese Central People's Government, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Edmund Ho Hau Wah led a delegation to Beijing on Thursday to attend celebrations of the anniversary.

The delegation, comprising some 120 representatives from various sectors of the community left the Macao International Airport Thursday morning. It is expected to meet state leaders before attending a reception and a cultural performance in Beijing.

Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Bai Zhijian served as the consultant to the delegation.

The chief executive will return to Macao to officiate the flag-hoisting ceremony on the Golden Lotus Square, which will commence the National Day celebrative activities Friday.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2004)