HKUST Holds Flag-raising Ceremony to Celebrate the 28th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) held a flag-raising ceremony on campus this morning to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. Officiating guests included Mr. QIN Hong, Counsellor of the Policy Research Department of the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR; Dr. John CHAN, HKUST Pro-Chancellor; Ms. Edith SHIH, HKUST Council Vice-Chairperson; Prof. Nancy IP, HKUST President; and other senior management. 

Took place at the center of the HKUST Piazza for the first time, the ceremony was attended by over 200 students, alumni, and their families, with an additional 30,000 people joining the livestreaming online. The audience witnessed the solemn moment as the National Flag, Regional Flag, and University Flag were hoisted in front of the Red Bird Sundial Sculpture, symbolizing aspirations for Hong Kong's continued prosperity and stability under the nation's support.

Prof. Harry SHUM, HKUST Council Chairman, stated, "The HKUST community celebrates the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR with great pride. With the nation's steadfast support, Hong Kong has successfully transitioned from chaos to order and is now advancing from stability to prosperity. This new development has spurred dynamic growth in scientific innovation and education. As a top-50 global institution, HKUST remains committed to pioneering pedagogical innovation and cutting-edge research, and knowledge transfer. We are determined to pursue excellence in teaching and research while fully supporting Hong Kong's development as an international hub for higher education, innovation technology, as well as health and medical innovation – injecting robust momentum into the nation's future development."

During the ceremony, HKUST’s inaugural Student Flag Guard Team made its debut, presiding over the solemn proceedings. President Prof. Nancy Ip shared, "Youth represent the future of both our nation and Hong Kong. As a key member of the higher education sector, HKUST bears the mission of instilling patriotic values through education. Establishing the Student Flag Guard Team aims to strengthen young people's sense of belonging to the nation and nurture their ethnic identity and patriotic commitment. We earnestly encourage more students to join this endeavor, while HKUST will continue reinforcing students' national identity and pride, cultivating a new generation with global vision and heartfelt devotion to the motherland."

Flag Guard’s Debut: Participating Students Express Pride

Comprising 24 local and mainland undergraduate/postgraduate students, the Guard has received rigorous training since May under the guidance of the Hong Kong Army Cadet Association. With exceptional professionalism, the proceedings were conducted in a dignified and orderly manner, and their commitment embodied HKUST students’ profound national allegiance.

TONG Kin-Pok, a Year 1 local student from the School of Science and a member of the Flag Guard Team, expressed his deep honor and pride in participating in this solemn flag-raising ceremony. “The 28th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR is a joyous occasion celebrated by all. Though I was not born during our nation's most challenging times, witnessing the thriving development of our nation and Hong Kong, with the support from our motherland, fills me with immense pride. As part of HKUST’s inaugural Flag Guard Team, every drop of sweat and effort my teammates and I poured into this endeavor has been doubly worthwhile,” he said.

Another team member, LI Ailin, a Mainland master’s student in Biomolecular Engineering and Health Informatics, added, "Having previously served in a flag guard team during my studies in the Mainland, I am thrilled to continue this passion and responsibility at HKUST, sharing the professional techniques and standards I learned while striving for excellence together. This experience has strengthened my determination to actively engage in campus and social affairs, hoping to contribute to the development of Hong Kong and our nation."

The ceremony concluded with attendees singing the university anthem in unison, their voices uniting the community and embodying HKUST’s spirit and core values while extending heartfelt blessings to the nation, Hong Kong, and the University.