The president of the association, eminent monk Jue Guang, said bell ringing is an important ceremony in Buddhism for very special occasion and the "Auspicious Bell" weighing 800 kg is therefore specially designed for the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to its motherland.
About 108 eminent monks from the association read a Buddhist sutra together praying for Hong Kong and its motherland's prosperity and the peace of the world.
Sheng Huaren, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, attended the midnight ceremony and rang the bell three times praying for the best for Hong Kong and its motherland.