Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang leads senior government officials in a mourning ceremony in Golden Bauhinia Square Thursday morning for victims in the hostage- taking tragedy in Manila, Philippines.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang led senior government officials in a mourning ceremony in Golden Bauhinia Square Thursday morning for victims in the hostage- taking tragedy in Manila, Philippines.

The flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was raised and then lowered to half-mast. Tsang and all principal officials observed a three-minute silence.

Hong Kong's 7 million residents were called upon to join in the ceremony or pay tribute to the victims in other appropriate ways at the same time.

During the silence, government services, except for emergency services and border control, were suspended.

China's national flags on all government buildings in Hong Kong as well as on local offices of the central government also flew at half-mast, along with the HKSAR flag.