Lingnan University’s flag-raising ceremony celebrates the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China

Lingnan University held a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on the University campus today, 1 October, starting at 10:30 am. Honoured guests included the Hon Andrew Yao Cho-fai, Council Chairman of Lingnan University; Dr Patrick Wong Chi-kwong, Chairman of the Court; Ms Carrie Leung Ka-lai, Treasurer of the Council; Mr Sammy Leung Chung-sing, Council Member; Prof William Shum Wai-lam, Council Member; Mr David Kwok Sek-chi, Member of the Court; Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science; Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing; Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning; and Mr Ernest Chan Chi-man, Vice-President (Administration), and Lingnan senior management, staff, and students.

The Lingnan University Flag Guard Team raised the national flag of the People’s Republic of China alongside the flags of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Lingnan University as the national anthem was played.

The Hon Andrew Yao Cho-fai, Chairman of the Council, said, “As we celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Lingnan faculty and students extend their heartfelt wishes for peace, prosperity, and strength for our country.” He emphasised that encouraging a sense of patriotism is an important part of education, and that the Lingnan University Flag Guard Team had visited Beijing to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s development and achievements and take part in “Salute to the National Flag” exchange activities. They were received by Mr Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, demonstrating the importance the nation attaches to the younger generations of the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR. The visit was a highly rewarding experience for our students. “I hope young people will learn to respect and protect the national flag, and, more importantly, understand the spirit of national perseverance and endeavour embodied in it. Looking ahead, Lingnan will continue to deepen national education, and also to tell the story of China through every flag-raising ceremony.”

Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science at Lingnan University, said, “Today marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and through this flag-raising ceremony, Lingnan University seeks to foster among students and staff a stronger sense of national identity, belonging, and responsibility. In recent years, Lingnan has actively advanced its strategic vision of ‘Liberal Arts + Technology’, achieving notable progress in international university rankings, frontier research and innovation, as well as in knowledge transfer and impact. These accomplishments reflect Lingnan’s unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching and research. Looking ahead, Lingnan will continue to uphold its motto of ‘Education for Service’, cultivating talent equipped with a strong foundation in the humanities and technology, an innovative mindset, a global perspective, and a strong sense of national commitment. We shall continue to contribute to the prosperity and stability of the Hong Kong SAR and support the nation’s high-quality development.”

During the flag-raising ceremony, five Lingnan students shared their experiences and insights from participating in the recent “Salute to the National Flag” Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams’ Beijing Visit Delegation. The programme was jointly organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government, 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 People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. The event was captured on video during the session, with the recording to be made accessible on the intranet for the entire University community to playback.

Ms Irene Ng Wai-ming, Director of Student Affairs, who led the representatives, thanked the Hon Andrew Yao Cho-fai for joining the Beijing tour where they were received by state leaders, which showcased the achievements of the Lingnan University Flag Guard Team. During the trip, Chairman Yao spent time with the team supporting and encouraging them.

Li Ka-yee, a year 4 student of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sport Coaching and Event Management, said, “Standing in Tiananmen Square and watching the national flag being raised filled me with great pride. It was an immense honour to be received at the Great Hall of the People by Mr Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, and the experience has increased my sense of national belonging and calling. I also went to an exchange seminar with Mr Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and these engagements strengthened my resolve and convictions, and encouraged me to embrace our youth responsibilities with greater determination.”

She added, “We should guard the national flag, stay true to our founding aspirations, and shoulder our missions. We were also lucky enough to watch the disciplined drilling of the People’s Liberation Army Ceremonial Escort Battalion, which left a strong impression on me and made me want to bring their rigorous and exacting standards back to our University’s Flag Guard. Visiting the National Museum of China, Palace Museum, World of Robots, and Xiaomi Auto Factory gave me a much clearer appreciation of China’s rich history as well as its remarkable technological prowess. This has made me determined to study hard, uphold patriotism, and contribute to the nation’s future in ever more meaningful ways.”

All five students hope to transform the benefits of this trip into concrete action, and to inspire fellow students on campus with positive energy.