HKUST Students Learn Valuable Lessons in Hong Kong Flag-Raising Competition

Teamwork and national identity feature strongly in the annual Flag-Raising Competition on National Security Education Day, organized by the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association, according to the award-winning HKUST students. 

A team of eight HKUST students, in their first year entering the competition delivered an outstanding performance to secure a silver medal in the “Zheng Bu” group. In addition, they won a bronze medal in the "Quick March” group.

The competition raises awareness about national security and instils a sense of national identity. It also cultivates a sense of discipline and collaborative team spirit among the younger generation. 

Seven institutions participated in the tertiary education category in this year’s competition, held on April 12.

Zheng Bu and Quick March

The key differences between the Zheng Bu and the Quick March, two major marching styles adopted in China, are related to the position of the leg and foot. 

In the Zheng Bu march, marchers swing one leg to knee height or higher, keep it straight, pause at the peak, then slam the heel to the ground while switching legs to complete the move. 

The Quick March involves normal stepping, with the heel first and then stepping naturally at a faster pace.

Teamwork for perfection

Each team in the competition is required to perform a full national flag-raising ceremony to determine its score. The three flag-bearers in each team have to deliver all the commands by themselves. The whole process was challenging, and all eight students had to devote significant effort and time to their preparations if they were to win medals.

Instructors from the Hong Kong Army Cadets, who normally train the HKUST team, could not serve as coaches for this competition for reasons of fairness. So two HKUST team alumni—LI Ailin and YEUNG Jasmine Yat Yau—volunteered to train the team. This presented an excellent opportunity for current students to mingle with and learn from former HKUST students.

One of the biggest challenges was that the preparation period was very tight. There was less than one month from registration and training to the start of the competition. Participants had to closely coordinate to seize every moment for perfecting each movement, requiring significant effort and dedication. 

WANG Yige, a second-year PhD student in Industrial Engineering and Decision Analytics taking part in the Zheng Bu team, noted that both movements and procedures demanded substantial time investment to build rapport and deliver peak performance.

“Our team members have significant height differences,” Wang pointed out. “This causes variations in position and height during movements, as well as differences in stride length.”

Therefore, they needed extra attention and mutual accommodation to ensure every hand gesture and step was synchronized, uniform, neat, and aesthetically pleasing, making coordination more challenging than for other competing institutions.

In addition, for the training, the team aimed to achieve perfection by meeting the standard in full, which required intensive training, Wang added. For example, the students pointed out that each movement demonstrates strength and requires controlled execution, necessitating repeated practice and significant effort.

“When kicking your leg out, it's not just about sufficient force,” Jasmine Yeung explained. “You must also freeze instantly at a specific height. Simply exerting strength won't meet the standard. You need coordination between movements and targeted control training for specific muscle groups.”

Lessons learned

Reflecting on their experience, the team members said they each learned a great deal during the preparations for and during the competition. 

“Every time the national flag is raised, it stands as a clear reflection of solid national security,” said WANG Dan, a second-year undergraduate in Computer Science & Engineering and a member in the Zheng Bu team. “National security is not just an abstract political concept, but the fundamental foundation that allows us all to live in peace and stability. Serving in the Flag Guard has deepened my understanding that national identity lies in recognizing our society, embracing the responsibility that comes with choosing a mission, and building a sense of national belonging through every solemn ceremony we take part in.”

“For me, the most valuable experience we have gained so far is to maintain a steady and calm mindset in how we approach life,” said TONG Kin Pok, a second-year undergraduate in Biotechnology, who took part in the Quick March.
“We should give our best effort, avoid overthinking or self-doubt, and not underestimate ourselves when dealing with matters. Most importantly, we should keep a positive and happy attitude toward everything,” he shared.

Having earned widespread praise in just over a year since it was formed in 2025, the HKUST Flag Guard Team also organizes exchange visits, team-building events, and national studies sessions. New members are recruited each September, so students interested in developing teamwork and related skills and knowledge may email the Dean of Students’ Office for details: ssa@ust.hk.