The final round of the "Basic Law Speech Contest 2005" was held in Hong Kong on Sunday.

More than 300 contestants took part in the contest either as individuals or in groups. The adjudicators had selected 15 finalists to enter the final round, according to a government press release.

Apart from the top three winners of each category, there were special awards for the Best Elaboration of the Basic Law, the Best Co-operation and the Basic Law Grand Award.

The speech contest was jointly organized by the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education (CPCE), the Home Affairs Bureau and the Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Groups, with the slogan "Learn the Basic Law, Know Your Rights and Duties," to enhance young people's understanding of the Basic Law.

The Department of Justice, Constitutional Affairs Bureau, Education and Manpower Bureau, Radio Television Hong Kong and Hong Kong Toastmasters Club were co-organizers of the contest.

The adjudicators of the final contest included Chairman of Basic Law Institute Alan Hoo, Senior Assistant Solicitor General Peter Wong, Associate Professor of Law of the City University of Hong Kong.

The assessment criteria included the effectiveness in promoting the Basic Law, techniques and organization of the presentation.

Hong Kong Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung officiated at Sunday's contest. He also delivered a keynote speech on the Basic Law.

Over the past three months, a series of promotional activities were organized to complement the speech contest, including workshops on the Basic Law and public speaking skills, roving exhibitions held at schools and tertiary institutions and shopping malls.

Source: Xinhua