CityUHK Flag-raising Team joins “Salute to the National Flag” delegation to Beijing, reflecting on patriotism and national commitment

Six members of the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) Flag-raising Team and four members of the CityUHK (Dongguan) (CityUHK (DG)) Flag-raising Team, led by Professor the Honourable Michael Ngai, Council Chairman, and Professor Alex Wong Chun-yuen, Dean of 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. The delegation visited the Great Hall of the People, where they were received by Mr Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, and Mr Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

Mr Ding urged young people from Hong Kong and Macao to “understand the national flag”, so as to remember a century of glorious history, establish a Chinese identity, and appreciate the confidence in development that comes from having the motherland as their backing; they should “safeguard the national flag” by consciously defending national sovereignty and dignity, resolutely upholding the institutional foundations of “One Country, Two Systems” and promoting social integrity; and they should “bring honour to the national flag” by actively integrating their personal aspirations into the nation’s development and the construction of the Greater Bay Area, focusing on their studies, honing their professional skills and carrying forward the torch of tradition.

Professor Ngai stated that the five-day visit to Beijing had been a fulfilling and profoundly meaningful experience. Through field trips, students gained first-hand exposure to the nation’s cutting-edge technology and industrial innovation, integrating classroom knowledge with practical observations to broaden their academic and research horizons. He went on to note that this immersive experience constitutes the most vivid form of civic education, enabling students to cultivate a deep-seated sense of national identity and pride whilst acquiring new knowledge and understanding technological developments. He expressed his hope that the students would transform the outcomes of this trip into a driving force to serve the nation, actively integrating themselves into the broader context of national development in the future, and laying a solid foundation of talent and emotional attachment to ensure the steady and long-term implementation of “One Country, Two Systems”.

Yau Sheung-ching, President of the CityUHK Flag-raising Team, attended the symposium chaired by Mr Xia as a student representative from CityUHK. She stated, “Safeguarding the national flag is not merely the duty of a flag bearer, but also the responsibility of every Chinese citizen. The national flag is not merely a symbol; it represents the nation’s history and the struggles of generation after generation. I hope to remain true to my convictions, do my best, maintain a positive outlook, and become a person of value to society in the future, so as not to disappoint the nurturing care of the motherland.”

Li Ching-kai, a member of the CityUHK Flag-raising Team, felt that this event had deepened his understanding of the national flag; he hopes to draw on his professional expertise to contribute to the development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Wang Yuhe, a member of the CityUHK (DG) Flag-raising Team, also hopes to bring what she has learnt back to her team, vowing to strive for progress, safeguard the national flag and serve society.

During their visit to Beijing, the delegation first went to the Tiananmen Square viewing stand to watch the flag-raising ceremony, and then visited the National Museum of China and the Palace Museum to gain an in-depth understanding of the development of Chinese civilisation over more than 5,000 years and its profound cultural heritage. Subsequently, the delegation visited the Yizhuang Robot World and the Bauhinia Culture Plaza, where they gained a first-hand understanding of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing, and witnessed the nation’s flourishing development in the field of innovation and technology. The delegation also visited Peking University and Tsinghua University to learn about the distinctive educational approaches and campus cultures of these two leading institutions, observe the flag-raising team’s rehearsals, and engage in exchanges whilst touring the campuses.

Wang Ruichen, a member of CityUHK Flag-raising Team, marvelled at the rapid development of modern Chinese technology and the enduring vitality of Chinese civilisation. He believes that the younger generation should recognise the weight of their historical responsibility and must cherish and safeguard the motherland, so that the nation may grow strong, Hong Kong may prosper, and its people may live in peace and contentment. Another member, Liu Zi, reflected on the vigorous progress in the nation’s scientific and technological fields and the profound significance of Chinese civilisation that has endured through the ages. She expressed her hope to promote interaction and exchange between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, and to help young people from both places understand one another and grow together.

The CityUHK Flag-raising Team was established in May 2023 and currently comprises 53 members. It is responsible for supporting flag-raising ceremonies held on the CityUHK campus, including those on New Year’s Day, the HKSAR Establishment Day, National Day of the People’s Republic of China and the University Welcoming Ceremony. The CityUHK Flag-raising Team participated in the “2026 National Security Education Day Hong Kong Army Cadets National Flag Raising Competition” and secured the 2nd Runner-Up in the Chinese Military Footdrill Group.