Over 300 primary and secondary schools as well as kindergartens, involving nearly 160,000 students across Hong Kong, held flag-raising ceremonies to mark National Security Education Day on Tuesday.
Organised by the Association of Hong Kong Flag-guards, officials from the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Education Bureau and the police attended the event’s main flag-raising ceremony at the Hennessy Road Government Primary School (Causeway Bay).
A pupil surnamed Wong, who is part of the flag-raising team there, said representing her school in the ceremony filled her with pride.
"The reason I joined the flag-raising team was to try something new and to see how the team actually operates. After two years of training, I truly feel that being part of the flag-raising team is very worthwhile because I get to be a part of many events," she said.
"After each ceremony, I usually reflect on where I didn't do well, so that I can improve for the next one."
Another student, also surnamed Wong, serves as the flag bearer on the team, and is responsible for raising the flag.
"Normally, we have training on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays each week. The training sessions can sometimes be quite tough because we have to practise marching under the sun, and it gets really hot," she said.
"However, through the process, we learn to develop a sense of perseverance to overcome hardship."
Chau Sai-yiu, chairman of the Association of Hong Kong Flag-guards, said that national security is the cornerstone of a nation’s stability and prosperity, as well as the bedrock of people’s peaceful livelihoods.
"We must cherish the current peace and prosperity in Hong Kong. We have gone from chaos to stability, and this peaceful life is thanks to national security. So we all must strengthen our awareness of safeguarding national security," he said.
"We must unite, remain vigilant and support the government in jointly maintaining national security and social stability."
Schools mark National Security Education Day
2025-04-15 HKT 11:15
