Artists from China's mainland and Hong Kong joined hands Saturday afternoon to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China with songs, dances and music.

　 Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa and his wife Betty Tung, Jiang Enzhu, director of the Xinhua News Agency Hong Kong Branch, Fok Ying-tung, vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended the gathering together with more than six thousand citizens.

　 Other participants included principal Hong Kong officials, Central Government officials in Hong Kong, officers of the People's Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong and local celebrities.

　 Addressing the gathering before the performances began, Fok said that great achievements have been made in China in the past 50 years and two years after Hong Kong returned to China, the policies of "one country, two systems" and "the Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" has been successfully implemented.

　 With the support of a stronger motherland, Hong Kong will be more prosperous in the next millennium, Fok said.

　 The performances of gongs and drums by soldiers of the PLA garrison kicked off the gala gathering. Andy Lau and other Hong Kong artists expressed their good wishes to the motherland with their songs and dances. Famous action movie star Jakie Chan and his students extended their birthday congratulations to China by playing Chinese Kungfu.

　 A ceremony was held at the end of the performances, at which Tung and other guests and all the artists expressed their best wishes to China and Hong Kong. (Xinhua)