77th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China | Eight universities hold flag-raising ceremonies to celebrate National Day; several invite students who visited Beijing to share their experiences

🔥 Afraid of missing the latest open days, admissions information and application dates for primary and secondary schools across Hong Kong? Follow Goal-EDU.com now!

Today marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Several universities in Hong Kong held their own flag-raising ceremonies to celebrate, attended by a number of government officials and representatives of mainland authorities stationed in Hong Kong. Some universities also held additional activities after the ceremonies. The University of Hong Kong invited renowned tenor Chen Chen and soprano Kwong Lai-ling to perform, while the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Baptist University and Lingnan University arranged for students who had recently taken part in the “Salute to the National Flag” Hong Kong and Macao youth flag-raising delegation’s visit to Beijing to share their experiences.

🏛️ HKU invites singers to perform “Never Forget Why We Started”

The flag-raising ceremony at HKU was carried out by the flag-raising team of the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association. HKU Council Chairman Wang Tung-shing and President Zhang Xiang attended, alongside members of the University Council and Senate, faculty deans, staff, students and invited guests. Afterwards, renowned tenor Chen Chen and soprano Kwong Lai-ling performed “Never Forget Why We Started,” with the hope that the song would embody a spirit of perseverance and resolve.

🎓 Nearly 120 CUHK members attend the ceremony

The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s flag-raising ceremony was held at the university’s flag-raising platform at 10:30 a.m. and carried out by the CUHK National Flag Guard Team. It was officiated by University Council Chairman Chah Yat-sun and President Dennis Lo. Nearly 120 university members and guests—including Secretary for Security Chris Tang, Cui Hongyu, Deputy Director of the Department of Treaty and Law at the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, CUHK council members, university management, staff, students and alumni—attended.

🚩 More than 250 attend HKUST ceremony in person; over 10,000 online views

This morning, the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison and the HKUST National Flag Guard Team jointly conducted the flag-raising ceremony. More than 250 people attended in person, including Song Yiping, Deputy Director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong; Wang Jian, Director of the International Department of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong; Feng Heng, Special Envoy of the International Organization for Mediation; and Chan Tin-chu, Commander of the Police’s Tseung Kwan O District, as well as members of the University Council and advisory committees, university management, staff and students. The ceremony was also watched over 10,000 times via livestream.

In his remarks, HKUST Council Chairman Shum Chiu-ying said that China had achieved remarkable progress in the economy, technology, education and innovation over the past decades, demonstrating the powerful momentum of Chinese-style modernization. He said the university would continue to uphold its mission of serving the country’s needs. President Nancy Ip said that HKUST is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, and that the university is entering a new phase of development together with Hong Kong and the country. She stressed that HKUST would fully support the implementation of Hong Kong’s first five-year plan and actively participate in the development of the Northern Metropolis and the Northern Metropolis University Town.

💬 Beijing visit leaves students proud; guard team’s performance was “inspiring”

Lau Sze-lam, a third-year student in HKUST’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Professional Accounting programme and a member of its National Flag Guard Team, took part in the “Salute to the National Flag” visit to Beijing. She said the delegation visited several landmarks and witnessed the country’s vibrant development and innovative technologies firsthand. “A sense of pride and belonging welled up inside me,” she said. She was also deeply impressed by the sense of duty shown by the People’s Liberation Army Honour Guard Battalion in protecting the national flag. She hoped that taking part in the ceremony would inspire reflection, and that young people would devote their passion and energy to the country and bring honour to the national flag.

The Baptist University Student Flag-Raising Team, which received guidance from the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison last month, was responsible for the flag-raising ceremony on campus today. Senior university officials, staff and students attended. HKBU Council and Court Chairman Wong Ying-ho said the university would fully support the development needs of the country and Hong Kong, continue to promote excellence in teaching and research, strengthen its distinctive areas of academic strength, and contribute to Hong Kong’s high-quality development and the country’s modernization.

Tsang Wing-tung, Vice-chairperson (Administration) of the HKBU Student Flag-Raising Team and a third-year student in the School of Business, also took part in the Beijing visit. Speaking about watching the flag-raising ceremony in front of Tiananmen, she said that although she had to get up in the early hours, seeing the National Flag Guard Team’s performance “made me feel wide awake and energized.”

🎓 Lingnan: fostering patriotism is an important part of education

Lingnan University’s flag-raising ceremony was held at 10 a.m. today. On behalf of the university community, Council Chairman Yiu Cho-fai wished the country “peace and prosperity, and strength and wellbeing for its people.” He emphasized that fostering patriotism is an important part of education, and hoped young people would learn to respect and protect the national flag, as well as understand the spirit of national struggle it represents.

President Qin Sizhao said he hoped the ceremony would foster a stronger sense of national identity, belonging and responsibility among staff and students. Five Lingnan students who had earlier joined the “Salute to the National Flag” visit to Beijing also shared their experiences. Lee Ka-yee, a fourth-year student in the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sports Coaching and Event Management programme, said she felt “deep pride” watching the national flag rise slowly in Tiananmen Square. Meeting central government officials had further strengthened her sense of belonging and mission.

🏫 PolyU, CityU and EdUHK also hold flag-raising ceremonies

Elsewhere, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University held a National Day flag-raising ceremony on campus this morning. Three members of the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Honour Guard were invited to guide 20 undergraduate and postgraduate members of PolyU’s flag-raising team. PolyU Council Chairman Lam Tai-fai, President Teng Jin-guang, Huang Jingrui, spokesperson and head of the Information and Public Relations Division at the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, and Cao Qifeng, Director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong, attended as officiating guests.

As many as 500 people attended the flag-raising ceremony at City University of Hong Kong, where the flag was raised by the university’s student flag guard. Council Chairman Wei Mingde said the ceremony reminded him of the experience of leading CityU’s flag guard on last month’s “Salute to the National Flag” visit to Beijing. He described the sight of the same Five-star Red Flag flying in both Beijing and Hong Kong as a vivid expression of the deep bonds and unity between people on both sides. He stressed that CityU would actively respond to and integrate into the country’s development, and strive to nurture outstanding talent with a strong understanding of the country, a global outlook and a sense of social responsibility.

The Education University of Hong Kong invited Tian Zhenfeng, Deputy Director of the Consular Department at the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, along with members of the university’s senior management, to attend its ceremony. The flag-raising team comprised EdUHK students and students from the EdUHK Jockey Club Primary School. Students from Chuk Yuen Assembly of God Tai Wo Kindergarten and HK&Kln Kaifong Women’s Association Sun Fong Chung Kindergarten were also invited to take part.

EdUHK Council Chairman Wong Yau-ka said he hoped the university would continue to draw on its distinctive strengths in teacher education and academic research to deepen people’s sense of belonging to the country and strengthen their appreciation of Chinese culture.