HONG KONG - A large-scale event commemorating the 150th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth was held here Wednesday by all circles in Hong Kong, with more than 1,000 people participating.

The event was jointly held by Hong Kong Federation of Overseas Chinese Associations, Hong Kong Association for Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, and Sun Yat-sen Education and Charity Foundation, together with more than 50 other organizations and a number of celebrities.

The event aims to commemorate Sun's great achievements in history, learn from and carry on his patriotism and pioneering spirit, according to the organizers.

Around 1,200 people joined the event, which took place in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. They were representatives of different sectors from the mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. This is one of the biggest events held here to mark Sun's 150th birth anniversary.

Vice Chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, Director of the Liaison Office of the Chinese Central People's Government in Hong Kong Zhang Xiaoming, and Taiwan's New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming were among the attendees.

When delivering his speech, Tung said Sun had devoted his entire life to the national integrity, social progress and people's well-being, and he is a great man highly respected by all the Chinese people.

With regard to the "Hong Kong independence" activities by certain organizations and individuals, Tung said what they did seriously violated the Constitution of the nation and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), and ran counter to Sun's patriotic spirit in pursuing the country's unification.

Tung also highlighted the importance of adhering to the 1992 Consensus by Taiwan's leadership, pointing out that doing the opposite runs against Sun's thought.

Leung said the Hong Kong SAR government and all circles in the city have organized various events to commemorate Sun. "I hope Hong Kong people, especially the younger generation, can have a better understanding of Sun's endeavor and great accomplishment through these activities," he said.

Born in 1866, Sun is a great national hero and patriot as well as a revered revolutionary leader who played a pivotal role in overturning imperial rule in China.