China celebrates National Day

At eight minutes past six, the guard of honor escorting the national flag marched out of the Tiananmen Gate Tower.

More than 100,000 visitors from around the country gathered here to watch the flag-raising ceremony.

The five-star red flag was hoisted to the accompaniment of the national anthem.

One flag raising ceremony visitor said "I've been waiting here the whole night. It's been raining. But I didn't give up, I felt I must stay to wish our country more prosperity."

A flag raising ceremony was also held in Hong Kong this morning, with thousands of people gathering at Golden Bauhinia Square.

And SAR government officials, celebrities and guests from all walks of life attended a reception to celebrate National Day.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang said Hong Kong is fortunate to have the strong backing of the motherland -- the world's fastest-growing and most promising market.

An evening show and fireworks display pushed the cities celebration to another climax.

And in Macao, Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah attended a flag raising ceremony at Lotus Square.