A reception to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the Chinese motherland was held in London on Wednesday local time, according to the Information Services Department of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.

More than 300 political, business and Chinese community leaders, including Chinese Ambassador Fu Ying, Lord Howe of Aberavon, Chairman of the Hong Kong Association Baroness Dunn, Lord Brittan, and a number of mayors from the London area, attended the reception organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London, at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology Joseph W P Wong spoke on behalf of the HKSAR government.

Wong said that "One Country, Two Systems" had passed the most vigorous test.

"Hong Kong has once again defied doomsayers and has become a better place than it was 10 years ago," Wong said.

The highlight of the evening was a performance by two young Hong Kong musicians, soprano Catherine Chan and baritone Alan Tsang. As well as singing Western and Chinese classical pieces they also performed the 10th anniversary theme song "Just Because You Are Here".

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London is planning a series of events over the coming months, including a London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival on July 1 at Royal Albert Docks, photo and film exhibitions and musical performances by Hong Kong pianist Colleen Lee.

(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2007)