The heat and rain could not stop 18,000 people from joining a parade to mark the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) yesterday.

Children who just turned 10 - same as the HKSAR - led the parade which started at the Jockey Club racecourse at noon and ended at Wan Chai's Southorn Center after 2 pm.

One child said this year's birthday was very meaningful and it was an experience he would never forget.

Many different groups took part in the parade that included dragon and lion dances, and a drive by antique cars.

Locals and tourists cheered and waved at the passing parade.

The people also took pictures of the colorful costumes worn by members of the parade.

Many had been waiting for hours at Morrison Hill in Wan Chai for the parade to begin. The Ng family was one of them.

"The 10th anniversary of the HKSAR is a very special occasion and we wanted to share the joy with the rest of the community, said one of Ng's daughters.

"We have been waiting here since 10 am to take part in the festivities," she said.

For 76-year-old Leung Bo it was a first time event.

"I feel very happy that this year is the 10th year of the HKSAR," she said.

"I brought an umbrella, so the rain does not matter," she said.

Student Cheng Wai-leung also watched the parade for the first time.

"I traveled all the way from the New Territories to watch the parade. I'm very excited to be able to see it," he said.

Lin Xiuxiang from Dongguan, Guangdong Province said: "The costumes were very beautiful. The parade was great."

She visited Hong Kong for its 10th anniversary and especially to see the parade.

Debbie McGowan saw the parade with her husband. She described it as "fantastic".

"It was so colorful and vibrant, just like Hong Kong itself", said her husband Ken.

(China Daily 07/02/2007 page2)