HONG KONG, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The celebration events for the 10th Anniversary of the Reunification by the Hong Kong Youth Sector started on Sunday in Hong Kong.

    The launching ceremony was held at the Golden Bauhinia Square in the Hong Kong Island, with more than 1,500 youth and guests' attending.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Hong Kong Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho hopes the young people of Hong Kong will aspire to achieve success in all the endeavors.

    Chairlady of Event Organizing Committee Elsie Leung encourages the youth in her address to be well-equipped and take the opportunities to consider the 10th Anniversary of Reunification as a landmark to start on a new direction.

    William Tsang, the executive chairman of the events, told the press that he was gratified last year for the nine years' try to spread out the "May 4th Youth Festival" events. This year, in the "same place", with the "same concept", he was deeply touched by the joint-efforts of over 200 youth organizations in Hong Kong which include the Hong Kong Uniformed Group, Hong Kong Federation of Youth Group, Hong Kong Association of Youth Development, Hong Kong United Youth Association and so on.

    The famous pianist Yundi Li and Hong Kong singer Leo Ku were appointed the Event Ambassadors in the ceremony. Li performed the newly composed song "singing for the motherland" with 150 members of the Hong Kong Children's Choir, while Ku presented the Theme Song of the 10th anniversary "Just Because You Are Here" with the youngsters of the 18 districts of Hong Kong.

    The launching ceremony also served as a prelude to the first exchange program involving youngsters from 36 districts in Beijing and Hong Kong. The delegation of over 400 youngsters from 18 districts of Hong Kong will visit Beijing from April 5 to April 9 to attend an exchange activity together with youngsters from 18 districts of Beijing.

    In the following four months, a series of "youth" cored celebration programs are scheduled, which include "Chinese Culture Week", "String Orchestra Concert in Celebration of the Reunification", and so on.