Anniversary celebration: Acting Chief Executive Wong Yan Lung proposes a toast at the National Day reception. More than 2,500 guests attend the flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square and watch the fly-by.

Hong Kong needs to continue to consolidate and give full play to its unique strengths while exploring and making fuller use of the opportunities arising from its reunification with the Mainland, Acting Chief Executive Wong Yan Lung says.

Speaking at the National Day reception in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China today, he said the country has encountered many significant tests and challenges in the past 60 years.

"Today our country is making remarkable technological and economic progress that has helped to raise the nation's overall standard of living. China has become a major player in the spheres of global politics and finance and a powerful force in maintaining world peace and sustaining international development."