Chinese national flag and the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) fly at half-mast in Hong Kong, south China, April 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
Various commemorations were held in HKSAR to express deep condolence.
"We shall pay tribute for the deceased and not forget our loved ones," said a Hong Kong resident.
HONG KONG, April 4 (Xinhua) -- China's Hong Kong special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Saturday joined a national mourning for the martyrs and compatriots who died in the COVID-19 outbreak.
Various commemoration activities were held in Hong Kong to express deep condolence for the decreased.
At 8:00 a.m. local time, national flag and regional flag were flown at half staff as a token of mourning at the headquarters of HKSAR government and the Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong Island.
The HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam, together with the president of the Legislative Council, Executive Council members and principal officials of the HKSAR government, observed three minutes of silence at the Chief Executive's Office.
"I believe we can win the battle against the virus and embrace a new spring," said a Hong Kong youth surnamed Cheung who came to pay a silent tribute at the Golden Bauhinia Square. He had been following reports about the development of COVID-19 outbreak for a long time.
Chinese national flag and the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) fly at half-mast in Hong Kong, south China, April 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
Among those attendees, Ji Lu stood in silence. She was a primary school teacher who went to Hong Kong through an exchange visit last year from Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province.
"We'll always remember those who died in the fight against the virus. Wuhan will win the battle and get better, and China will grow stronger," said Ji.
At around 9:00 a.m. local time, Jimmy Tso and his three friends stood before the Cenotaph at Central, holding national flags, regional flags and a placard with characters "Deep condolence for martyrs and compatriots who died in COVID-19 outbreak."
"It's also our Chinese traditional Tomb-sweeping Day today. We shall pay tribute for the deceased and not forget our loved ones," said Tso.
To join the commemoration, national flag also flew at half mast at the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR, Central Barrack of Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and other organs of Central People's Government in the HKSAR. ■