President Hu Jintao will visit Hong Kong from June 29 to July 1 to attend celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of its return to the motherland.

Hu will also preside over a swearing-in ceremony for the third-term Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government.

The SAR government is rolling out 460 activities ranging from ceremonial and cultural events to exhibitions and conferences.

On June 30, a group of Buddhists will toll a bell for three hours on the eve of the handover anniversary.

The big day is expected to be a mix of a ceremonial and celebratory events, including a flag-raising ceremony, a parade, carnivals and a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the night sky.

The People's Liberation Army garrison troops in Hong Kong, which maintain a low-key presence, has listed four events in two weeks, including a parachute show tomorrow.

China Post will issue a set of commemorative stamps on July 1, one of them jointly with Hong Kong Post.

(China Daily June 27, 2007)