In observing Earth Hour, Hong Kong switched off lights of its skyscrapers for one hour on Saturday to arouse people's awareness of environmental protection.

More than 3,200 companies and buildings also joined the global campaign, featuring record numbers of participation, said World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the organizer.

Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor, known for its night scenes, went dim at 8:30 p.m. local time when neon signs and lights of buildings started to black out. Landmark buildings participating in the event include International Finance Center, Central Plaza, Cheung Kong Center, Cultural Center, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Pacific Place, Standard Chartered Bank Building, HSBC Building, Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower, Tsing Ma Bridge and so on.

During the countdown event held at Cultural Center Open Piazza, a big balloon was being passed around the audience area to symbolize that the message of sustainable life could be passed on beyond the hour.

All universities and over 320 primary and secondary schools supported the event. The Government House of the HKSAR government and the Chief Executive's Office also participated in the lights-out event. Meanwhile, Symphony of Lights show at the Victoria Harbor was suspended.

Earth Hour is a symbolic event to demonstrate that small actions, such as turning off lights for one hour, can collectively make a difference. WWF is calling on people to not only turn off their lights for one hour, but go beyond that hour and consume wisely from now on.

"Tonight presents a poignant moment in which to reflect on recent natural disasters across the globe," Chairman of the WWF-Hong Kong Trevor Yang said Saturday.

"Such disasters remind human beings how fragile our planet really is. It is crucial that we protect and work with the environment as best we can. We must do this because of our planet, and we have only ONE planet."

It was the third time that Hong Kong joined the global movement. Last year, over 2,500 companies and buildings, over 230 schools and all universities across the city marked the Earth Hour.