‘Let us make an even greater Hong Kong contribution’: John Lee at Beijing parade
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Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has led 360 representatives from Hong Kong – the city’s largest-ever delegation – in attending a military parade in Beijing to mark China’s victory over Japan in World War II, while other senior officials, students and residents observed commemorative events held locally.
The parade was held along Changan Avenue in central Beijing and lasted about 90 minutes. It was among a string of events held to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory Day.
Before the parade started, Chinese President Xi Jinping and the leaders of other countries, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un of North Korea, shook hands with six Chinese veterans, including 94-year-old Lo King-fai from Hong Kong.
When Xi shook hands with Lo, he called the Hong Kong veteran “an old hero”.
Lo was part of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, a guerrilla force, during the war.