Beijing: The Indian community in China on August 15 enthusiastically celebrated the 57th Independence Day at three separate functions held in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

At a well-attended function held in Beijing at the Indian Embassy, Charge d'Affaires Debnath Shaw hoisted the national tricolour and read out President A P J Abdul Kalam's address to the nation in which he mentioned China by name.

While mentioning that India has taken "significant" peace initiative with all its neighbours, Kalam had specifically mentioned that the recent visit to China by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee definitely paves the way for resolving "certain outstanding issues".

The Embassy also held a photo exhibition highlighting Vajpayee's June 22 to 27 visit to China, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over a decade.

In Shanghai, the Consul General of India Sujan Chinoy hoisted the national flag at a function held at his residence. Afterwards, he read out the President's speech to the assembled Indian community in the booming city.

Patriotic songs were also rendered by children.

The Consulate is also hosting a photo exhibition entitled, 'India through Chinese eyes'. All the photographs on India were taken by two Chinese photographers who toured the country in 2002.

"This is the first time that such an exhibition is being held in Shanghai," Chinoy said.

The Indian community in Hong Kong also marked the day at a function held at the residence of Consul- General B K Gupta, who read out Kalam's message. At the function, attended by over 100 Indians, children sang patriotic songs.

PTI