HONG KONG, Feb. 7(Xinhuanet)-- Hong Kong students excelled at the first Pan-Pearl River Delta Physics Olympiad by winning 16 prizes, according to the Hong Kong government press release on Monday.

Twenty-six students who joined the competition were awarded five first prizes, one second prize, and 10 third prizes. Tsui Lok-man from Sing Yin Secondary Scho ol ranked second at the competition with his overall scores.

Of the 174 top secondary students taking part in the competition, 148 were elite from secondary schools of nine provinces on the mainland and 26 were from Hong Kong.

The competition, held simultaneously at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Shenzhen Secondary Schoolon Jan. 29, was jointly organized by the Hong Kong Physics Olympiad Committee and the Physics Teaching Professional Commission of the Chinese Society of Education.

It aimed to enhance students' understanding of physics and motivation in learning, and explore their talents in the subject. It also serves to boost the interflow of ideas and practices in physics education among schools in the mainland and Hong Kong.

Hong Kong participants were trainees of the Physics Enhancement Program of the Hong Kong Education and Manpower Bureau's"Support Measures for the Exceptionally Gifted Students Scheme."