Counter Terrorism

Commemoration Held in Hong Kong for September 11 Attacks

(left to right) Regina Ip, Secretary for Security; Rita Fan, President of the Legislative Council; Tung Chee-hwa, Chief Executive; Kenneth Jarrett, Acting Consul General; and Jacqueline Ann Willis, Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs in the USA pause to reflect during the anniversary commemoration.

The three-month anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks was marked in Hong Kong by a simple but moving commemoration ceremony attended by top officials of the Hong Kong government, representatives of the American community and members of the consular corps.

Nearly 200 persons attended the event, which was held on December 11 from 9:30 to 10 p.m. Hong Kong time, coinciding with memorial ceremonies in the United States that were taking place at the exact moment the first airplane struck the World Trade Center. The Hong Kong ceremony included remarks by Acting U.S. Consul General Kenneth Jarrett, the joint lighting of a memorial candle by A/CG Jarrett and Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, the playing of the U.S. and PRC national anthems, and an ecumenical prayer offered by the Rev. Emory Gaskins from the International Baptist Church of Hong Kong.

Acting U.S. Consul General Kenneth Jarrett delivers remarks at the commemoration.

Hong Kong officials attending the event included Mr. Tung; Regina Ip, Secretary for Security; Tsang Yam Pui, Commissioner of Police; Stephen Hsu, Director of Fire Services; Rita Fan, President of the Legislative Council; and Jacqueline Ann Willis, Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA. In addition, the consuls general or other representatives from about 40 countries attended the Hong Kong event.

Acting U.S. Consul General Kenneth Jarrett and Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa jointly light a memorial candle.