Flag-raising ceremony, reception held to mark 29th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to motherland

HONG KONG -- The government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Wednesday held a flag-raising ceremony and a reception to celebrate the 29th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Leung Chun-ying, Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee, and Zhou Ji, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, attended the flag-raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square on Wednesday morning.

Also present at the ceremony were officials from the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR, and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and representatives from all walks of life.

Amidst the music of "Ode to the Motherland", the flag-guarding team marched in unison, escorting the national flag of the People's Republic of China and the flag of the HKSAR into the Golden Bauhinia Square. Helicopters flew over the Victoria Harbor to display the national flag and flag of the HKSAR, and a fireboat sprayed a water salute.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

During the reception, Lai Ka-ying, Hong Kong's first astronaut, spoke via video link from China's Tiangong space station.

Lai said that it was a great honor to display the HKSAR flag on the space station to express deep gratitude to the country and extend best wishes to Hong Kong. "I sincerely wish the HKSAR greater prosperity and stability under the care and support of our country. Let's join hands and strive for a brighter future for our motherland and Hong Kong," she said.

In his speech at the reception, John Lee said he has been leading the HKSAR government in formulating Hong Kong's first five-year plan, adding that the public consultation has already begun.

"Hong Kong will seize the opportunities brought by national development, and leverage its advantage of being connected to both the Chinese mainland and to the world, as well as its international prospects, to bolster economic development and enable the public to better share the benefits of development," Lee said.

Wednesday also marked the 105th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China, Lee noted. The prosperity and flourishing of the country have always been Hong Kong's strongest backing, he stressed.

On Wednesday morning, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, and the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR, also held flag-raising ceremonies.