Press Release

HKBU flag-raising ceremony celebrates 77th National Day 

Student Flag-Raising Team shares experiences from Beijing visit

Thursday, 1 October 2026

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) held a flag-raising ceremony on campus in the morning today (1 October). Dr Kennedy Y H Wong, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU, led the HKBU community, including Mr Kevin C K Liem, Treasurer of the Council and the Court; Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor; Council and Court members, senior management, faculty and staff, alumni, and students in attending the event to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. At the ceremony, two HKBU students who recently participated in the “Salute to the National Flag” Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams’ Beijing Visit Delegation shared their moving experiences in the capital.

The national flag, together with the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the flag of HKBU, were raised by the HKBU Student Flag-Raising Team, which was guided by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison earlier, marking the solemn and grand occasion today.

In his address, Dr Kennedy Y H Wong said: “Over the past 77 years, the country has undergone an extraordinary journey of development, achieving remarkable accomplishments in areas such as the economy, technology, aerospace, and culture. The nation’s overall strength and international influence have also continued to grow. This year marks the beginning of the ‘15th Five-Year Plan’, as the country continues to advance Chinese-style modernisation, moving towards building a modern socialist country in all respects and achieving the Second Centenary Goal.”

He said that HKBU will fully align with the development needs of both the nation and Hong Kong by continuing to promote excellence in teaching and research and strengthening its distinctive academic disciplines. “HKBU is confident in nurturing the next generation of talent to contribute to Hong Kong’s high-quality development and the country’s modernisation, and to fully support Hong Kong in becoming a hub for international top-tier talent.”  In 2005, HKBU took the lead in establishing the Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University in Zhuhai, the first university in the Chinese Mainland founded through the cooperation with Hong Kong’s higher education sector. He added, “‘One University, Two Campuses’ facilitates more exchanges between students and professors across disciplines and locations, cultivating adaptability and shaping future capabilities in a diverse environment, while further advancing academic research across both campuses.”

Representatives from the PLA Hong Kong Garrison visited HKBU in September this year to provide the HKBU Student Flag-Raising Team with training in flag-raising techniques and marching drills, further enhancing the team members’ standard of ceremonial performance and their understanding of the flag-raising etiquette.

Linda Tsang Wing-tung, Vice-President (Administration) of the HKBU Student Flag-raising Team and year 3 School of Business student, who underwent the training, said: “The Hong Kong Garrison came to HKBU to provide training for the flag-raising team, which was a great opportunity to enhance our squad’s skills. They carefully guided us through each movement in a professional manner, improved the flag-raising procedures, and corrected the strength of our marching steps. This training made our movements more standardised, our formation more disciplined, and boosted our confidence when carrying out the flag-raising duties.”

Led by Professor Amy Lee, Director of Student Affairs of HKBU, Linda, together with eight HKBU and Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University students participated in the “Salute to the National Flag” Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams’ Beijing Visit Delegation from 18 to 22 September. Linda said: “The most unforgettable part of this event was watching the flag-raising ceremony in front of Tiananmen Square. Although we need to wake up at a little past three in the morning, seeing the national flag guard march out from Tiananmen with crisp and powerful steps, firm and resonant footfalls and coordinated movements, I felt instantly invigorated.”

Callie Cen Yuetong, Former President of the HKBU Student Flag-Raising Team and year 4 School of Business student, also joined the delegation. She said: “We were received by Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang at the Great Hall of the People, where he conveyed President Xi Jinping’s warm greetings to all the delegation members. During our visit to the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Director Xia Baolong engaged with us warmly, patting us on the shoulders and expressing his genuine care and concern. These close interactions and invaluable experiences allowed me to truly appreciate the nation’s support for the growth and development of Hong Kong, Macau, and the youth from both regions.”

The delegation was jointly organised by the HKSAR Government, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and the Beijing Municipal People’s Government. It aimed to deepen students’ sense of national identity and patriotism, enhance their understanding of the national development and the symbolic significance of the national flag.