Students, Staff Turn Out for Historic HKU Flag-Raising Ceremony

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) held a historic flag-raising ceremony on 1 October at the Main Building Promenade, reaffirming its commitment to national development and academic excellence.

Some 300 University leaders, staff, and students gathered outside the University’s iconic Main Building to watch as the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association raised the flags of the People’s Republic of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the University of Hong Kong.

Following the ceremony, acclaimed tenor Mr Chen Chen and soprano Ms Louise Kwong delivered a stirring vocal performance of “Stay True to the Mission”, reminding all in attendance of the power of perseverance and dedication.

Students praised this year’s arrangements, which marked a change from the usual practice of indoor flag-raising ceremonies. “I was really impressed by the entire occasion,” said Year 5 student Katrina Lee. “The flag guard was super sharp, and the live performance made the ceremony stand out. The ceremony felt meaningful because it carries a sense of shared history and collective identity that goes beyond the moment itself.”

In addition to the hundreds of students present, Council Chairman Mr Peter Wong, President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Xiang Zhang, Council and Senate members, Faculty Deans, staff, and other invited guests were in attendance at this year’s ceremony.

HKU has long served as a vital link between Hong Kong and the nation, nurturing globally minded leaders while advancing frontier research that supports scientific and technological progress. Standing at a new historical horizon, the University remains dedicated to leveraging its unique advantage of “backing by the motherland and connecting with the world”, it said in a statement.

Looking forward, HKU will continue to empower scholars and students to pursue groundbreaking discoveries. The University aims to generate knowledge that benefits Hong Kong, contributes to the nation, and serves humanity as a whole.