In the early morning of July 1, about 2,400 people from all walks of life in Hong Kong gathered at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai to participate in the flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. At noon that day, the SAR government held a celebration reception at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, attended by about 1,600 invited guests.
The sun was shining brightly in the Golden Bauhinia Square in the early morning. The guests entered the venue in the morning light, and the cheerful accompaniment of the Hong Kong Police Silver Band rang out. Before the ceremony officially began, Carrie Lam walked toward the crowd of spectators waving the five-star red flag and the bauhinia regional flag, shook hands and talked with them.
The flag-raising ceremony officially began at 7:58, and everyone stood in silence. The Hong Kong Police Silver Band played "March of the Volunteers", and the choir jointly composed of Hong Kong St. Paul's Co-educational School, Diocesan Boys' School and Diocesan Girls' School sang the national anthem. The audience paid attention to the rising five-star red flag and the bauhinia regional flag. ceremony and sing the national anthem.
At 8 o'clock, the five-star red flag and the bauhinia regional flag reached the top of the flagpole, fluttering in the wind against the blue sky and white clouds. Two helicopters flying the national and regional flags flew over the square, and disciplined troops saluted in the air and at sea.
After the flag-raising ceremony, the SAR government held a celebration reception at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. About 1,600 invited guests attended, including SAR government officials, members of the SAR Executive Council, members of the Legislative Council, foreign envoys, etc.
On the same day, many citizens watched the flag-raising ceremony in the public viewing area of ??Golden Bauhinia Square with about 1,000 people. An electronic screen wall was specially set up at the scene to allow the residents to watch the live broadcast.
Mr. Chen, a Hong Kong citizen, said that he also came to watch the ceremony on the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland last year. He was "very happy" to watch the flag-raising again this year. Developments such as the "Belt and Road" initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have brought better opportunities to young people in Hong Kong. He wished the motherland and the Hong Kong SAR a better tomorrow.
Source: China News Network