Hong Kong plans 360-strong delegation for Victory Day parade in Beijing
Delegation is the largest sent by city to mark anniversary of China’s WWII victory over Japan in 1945
Hong Kong’s leader is set to front the city’s largest commemorative delegation to Beijing this week to attend a military parade and other events marking the 80th anniversary of China’s World War II victory over Japan.
The government said on Monday that the delegation, led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, would comprise about 360 members and include principal officials, representatives from the judiciary, the Legislative Council and district councils.
It will also include veterans of the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and their descendants, as well as representatives from various sectors, such as commerce, education, technology, professional services, social welfare and the media.
Lee will depart for Beijing on Tuesday and return home on Thursday. The delegation’s itinerary will include a commemorative rally and a Victory Day military parade on Wednesday morning and a cultural gala in the evening.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, the city’s No 2 official, will serve as acting chief executive in Lee’s absence.
The government also said deputy finance chief Michael Wong Wai-lung and deputy justice minister Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan would be the acting financial secretary and the acting secretary for justice, respectively, during the period.