The "Salute to the National Flag" Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams' Beijing Visit Delegation held a departure ceremony today (September 18). The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and various guests saw off nearly 1 000 participating Hong Kong teachers and students at the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.

     The visit is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and the Macao SAR 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 enables participating tertiary, secondary and primary students from Hong Kong and Macao to witness in person the solemn flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square, experience the historical culture and development achievements of the capital, deepen their sense of national identity and patriotism, enhance their understanding of the national development and the symbolic significance of the national flag, and continuously promote patriotic education while putting into practice the concept of a "walking classroom".

     Dr Choi said this high-level key youth exchange programme fully demonstrates the Central People's Government's high regard for the development of Hong Kong and Macao young people and is of special significance. The national flag is not merely a flag; it is also a vivid lesson in national education, reminding us that the country's development has not come easily and that national rejuvenation requires continued efforts of generations.

     During the five-day itinerary, students will gain an in-depth understanding of the country's outstanding achievements in economic development and urban planning. Dr Choi expressed the hope that students will cherish every rare opportunity, observe and record attentively, and be able to read history and responsibility from the national flag, thereby deepening their understanding of and identification with the country.

     The Hong Kong contingent of the delegation comprises nearly 1 000 members, including around 940 representatives from tertiary, secondary and primary schools that include students of flag-raising teams, as well as representatives from the Education Bureau, the Association of Hong Kong Flag-guards and the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association.

     After arriving in Beijing by high-speed rail, the delegation will meet with representatives of the Macao flag-raising teams and conduct a series of visits and exchanges with schools in Beijing.

     Dr Choi will depart tomorrow (September 19) for a visit to the Mainland to join the activities of the "Salute to the National Flag" delegation. During the trip, she will go to Tianjin to meet local officials to strengthen exchanges in education and youth between the two places. She will then participate in the first Beijing study tour of the Citizenship and Social Development subject, and the National Day and Professional Exchange Delegation to Beijing from the Hong Kong Education Sector.

     Dr Choi will return to Hong Kong on September 24. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.

Ends/Friday, September 18, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:50

NNNN