"I was informed of the invitation by the Central Government just one week before the National Day, when everyone in the District was busily engaged in making preparations for the various police deployment ahead of the public order events and crowd management activities for the National Day," said CSP Philip Sham, Western District Commander.

"I was grateful for the support and accommodativeness of the Force and the Region for releasing me to take part in the Delegation," he added.

During the stay in Beijing, on the evening of September 30, members of the HKSAR Delegation were invited to the National Anniversary reception hosted by Premier Wen Jiabao at the Great Hall of the People. On October 1, the delegation attended the grand parade outside Tiananmen Square in the morning, as well as the variety show cum fireworks display in the evening at the same venue.

"The reception at Beijing was superb and flawless, but when we got out of the airport it was cloudy and weather broadcast said it would rain in the morning which was a little worrying for us," said Philip Sham. "We were each issued with a poncho, and a scarf too, so 'wet and cold' weather was what we all had in mind. However, the National Day turned out to be a sunny day with clear blue sky, and the weather was mild, hence it could not have been a better day for attending a national parade which is the largest and best organised of all the National Day parades.

"Apart from the parade itself, the visit to Beijing has also impressed me greatly with the progress of the motherland in recent years in economic, technological and social-cultural terms, for which I am sure every Chinese should be justifiably proud of. It is an experience which will stay in my memory for a long time to come."

CSP Sham at Tiananmen Square