The events themselves account for only a few dozen world records - but they have produced Guinness World Records certificates for tens of thousands of Hong Kong people.

Hong Kong holds an impressive collection of records for mass participation events, showing how community spirit and powers of organization as well as ambition shine through in the city of 7.1 million.

The biggest single record-setting event was set at the Hong Kong Stadium in November 2010 when 23,321 performed flag signals simultaneously in an event organized by the Scout Association.

A month earlier, another record was set for the most people spinning tops simultaneously when 377 people gathered in the Tuen Mun Town Plaza.

In the same month, Hong Kong staged the world's largest mini-rugby tournament with 2,610 participants taking to the field at the Hong Kong Football Club in Happy Valley.

Also in 2010, Hong Kong hosted the largest photo exhibition ever with 141,822 snap shots taken by members of the public put on display at Nina Tower in July. Eight months earlier, a record was set for the largest harmonica ensemble involving 6,131 players at the Happy Valley Recreation Ground.

Hong Kong also holds the world record for the largest spoons ensemble - 888 players spooned along to the William Tell Overture at the Civil Aid Service Headquarters in July 2009 - and the largest big bowl feast partly involving 14,459 people at the Yuen Long Stadium in March 2009.

In July 2008, 492 people at the Hong Kong international Trade and Exhibition Centre set a Guinness record for the most people playing mahjong simultaneously. And in October 2008, 254 people set a record for the most participants in a swimming relay in one hour in an event organized by the Hong Kong Blind Sports Association.

(HK Edition 09/02/2011 page4)