The SAR government on Tuesday held a flag-raising ceremony in Wan Chai to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Chief Executive John Lee and his wife, senior government officials and three former chief executives, Donald Tsang, CY Leung and Carrie Lam, as well as Beijing's liaison office chief Zheng Yanxiong, attended the ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square.

They stood solemnly as the national and SAR flags were raised at 8am.

The police band played the national anthem, while officers from the fire and government flying services saluted.

Similar flag-raising ceremonies were held at the Commissioner's Office of the Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong, as well as the Liaison Office.

At the subsequent national day reception at the Convention and Exhibition Centre, the CE said Hong Kong will continue to play its unique role in connecting the nation with the rest of the world.

"In the course of national development, Hong Kong has always been a participant, contributor, and beneficiary. The development of Hong Kong cannot be separated from that of the country, and the country will always be the strongest backing for Hong Kong," he said.

"Hong Kong has continued to promote high quality development of the Greater Bay Area, including connecting the region's systems and regulations on a wider and deeper scale. We're speeding up the development of a world-class bay area."

Lee added that Hong Kong is undergoing a key economic transition, which he said presents more opportunities than challenges. He said people must adjust to change and promote reforms, to contribute to the country's development.

"Together, let us ride on the momentum of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to advance reforms, progress, and prosper together with the country, and make new and greater contributions to building a great country and moving towards national rejuvenation through Chinese modernisation," he said.