Among those attendees, Ji Lu stood in silence. She was a primary school teacher who went to Hong Kong through an exchange visit last year from Wuhan in central China's Hubei province.

"We'll always remember those who died in the fight against the virus. Wuhan will win the battle and get better, and China will grow stronger," said Ji.

At around 9 am local time, Jimmy Tso and his three friends stood before the Cenotaph at Central, holding national flags, regional flags and a placard with characters "Deep condolence for martyrs and compatriots who died in COVID-19 outbreak."

"It's also our Chinese traditional Tomb-sweeping Day today. We shall pay tribute for the deceased and not forget our loved ones," said Tso.

To join the commemoration, the national flag also flew at half-mast at the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR, Central Barrack of Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and other organs of Central People's Government in the HKSAR.