Chief Executive Donald Tsang led principal officials in attending a memorial this morning for the eight Hong Kong tourists slain in Monday's hostage tragedy in Manila.

The flag at Golden Bauhinia Square was lowered to half-mast as three minutes' silence was observed to mourn the victims.

In memoriam: Chief Executive Donald Tsang and other senior officials observe three minutes' silence to mourn the hostage tragedy victims.

Also attending were Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong Li Gang, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong Lu Xinhua, and People's Liberation Army Garrison Troops Vice Political Commissar Rao Xinjian.

During the silence Government services, except for emergency services and border control, were suspended. Government staff on duty also observed three minutes' silence at their workplaces.

Flags at all Hong Kong Government and Central Government offices in the city were flown at half-mast.