CE commends members of "Salute to the National Flag" Beijing Visit Delegation (with photos/video)
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The commendation ceremony was officiated by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee. In his speech, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Central Authorities for their regard and cordial care for the growth of Hong Kong young people and patriotic education. He said that the Delegation was honoured to be received by Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Mr Ding Xuexiang, which was a great encouragement to Hong Kong students. He hoped that students would bear in mind Vice Premier Ding's exhortations and turn this rare experience into lasting motivation for their future endeavours.
Mr Lee encouraged students to revisit the history of the Red Army's Long March and deepen their sense of patriotism through visiting the thematic exhibition. He said, "The national flag is the symbol of the country. It represents national sovereignty, dignity and unity, and carries the Chinese nation's course of struggle and common ideals. To salute the national flag is to pay tribute to our country, and also to the Red Army soldiers who did not fear sacrifice, embraced national ideals and continuously strove for self-improvement." He urged students to promote the spirit of the Long March through practical actions in the future, take the Long March of the new era well, and become builders and successors of the "one country, two systems" cause.
The "Salute to the National Flag" Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams' Beijing Visit Delegation is a high-level key youth exchange programme. It conducted its thematic activity in Beijing from September 18 to 22. About 1 200 flag-raising team representatives from tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools, teachers, students and youth group representatives from Hong Kong and Macao took part. The visit aimed to enable participating students to witness in person the solemn flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square and experience the historical culture of the capital and the country's development achievements, deepen their sense of national identity and patriotism, and root the spirit and sentiment of patriotism in the hearts of young people.
At today's ceremony, a number of school representatives were commended to encourage them to combine their first-hand experience in Beijing with what they had learned in class and to transform their patriotic feelings into a resolve to contribute to the country. The school representatives also reported their learning outcomes during the Beijing visit to the guests.
Guests attending today's ceremony included Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Sun Shangwu; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa; the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms May Chan; the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai; the Convenor of the Working Group on Patriotic Education, Dr Eliza Chan; and other guests, as well as over 230 principals, teachers and students from tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools.
After the ceremony, the students visited the thematic exhibition. By learning about the great journey of 90 years ago, which traversed thousands of mountains and rivers and overcame countless obstacles, they experienced the spirit of firm conviction, fearlessness of sacrifice, close unity and arduous struggle demonstrated during the Long March, thereby nurturing their sense of patriotism, developing proper values and aspiring to contribute to the country.
The thematic exhibition "Unswerving Original Aspiration; Steadfast Conviction: The 90th Anniversary of the Victory of the Red Army's Long March" is organised by the Education Bureau and co-organised by the Patriotic Education Centre. It features exhibits including interactive installations and oil paintings. The Centre also provides schools with guided tours, talks and learning activities. The exhibition is on display at the Patriotic Education Centre from today onwards for primary and secondary students across Hong Kong. Schools interested in visiting may apply through the Patriotic Education Centre. For details, please visit the Centre's website (www.hkpec.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:52
Issued at HKT 16:52
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CE attends Commendation Ceremony of "Salute to the National Flag" Beijing Visit Delegation and launch ceremony for exhibition on 90th anniversary of victory of Red Army's Long March