On 1 July 2026, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) held a flag-raising ceremony on campus to celebrate the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The flag-raising ceremony was officiated by PolyU Council Chairman Dr LAM Tai-fai; Acting President Prof. Wing-tak WONG; Mr SONG Yiping, Second-Level Inspector of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR; and Mr TIAN Zhenfeng, Deputy Director of the Consular Department of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR. They were joined by Deputy Council Chairman Dr Daniel YIP Chung-yin, University Court Chairman Dr Katherine NGAN NG Yu-ying; Treasurer of the University Mr Arthur LEE Kin; Honorary Court Chairman Dr Roy CHUNG Chi-ping; and President Emeritus Prof. the Honourable POON Chung-kwong, together with Council and Court members, other University senior management, Honorary Graduates, University Fellows, Outstanding Alumni, members of the PolyU Foundation, PolyU staff, students and alumni, wishing prosperity and stability for the Nation and Hong Kong. The ceremony was jointly conducted by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison and the PolyU Student Flag-Raising Team.
Dr Lam Tai-fai said, “This year marks the 29th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the Motherland and the inaugural year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. In alignment with these milestones, the HKSAR Government is formulating its first Five‑Year Plan to map out a strategic blueprint for Hong Kong’s future development. This year also marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, further underscoring the Nation’s thriving development. Today, China’s growing comprehensive national strength and rising international influence fully demonstrate the vibrancy and prosperity of the Nation in this new era.
In the face of these new opportunities, PolyU, as a key member of Hong Kong’s higher education sector and ranked 50th in the latest QS World University Rankings, is committed to keeping pace with the development of the Nation and Hong Kong. Upholding our educational mission, we strive to nurture in our students a strong sense of national pride, a global outlook and a deep commitment to social responsibilities. We encourage them to integrate their personal aspirations into the Nation’s undertakings, and to become virtuous and competent talents with an affection for the Nation and Hong Kong, who are ready to serve society and contribute to the country.”
He continued, “PolyU will fully leverage its strengths in education, research and knowledge transfer to support the Nation’s development into a powerhouse in technology, education and talent cultivation. The University will also make greater contributions towards Hong Kong’s integration into, and support for, the Nation’s overall development strategy, thereby enhancing the city’s international competitiveness and achieving high-quality development.”
PolyU has been organising the “PolyU Chinese Culture Festival” series of events since 2024 to promote Chinese culture, aiming to enhance the younger generation’s awareness and appreciation of Chinese culture and strengthen their sense of national identity. Following the flag-raising ceremony, PolyU screened the documentary “Confucius” at the Jockey Club Auditorium as one of the events under the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival. Confucianism, founded by Confucius, constitutes a vital part of traditional Chinese culture and has had a profound influence on the formation and development of the value system of the Chinese. The documentary, screening for the first-time in Hong Kong, uses vivid and expressive imagery to present this renowned Chinese thinker, politician, and educator. Both the flag-raising and documentary filming were attended by close to 400 distinguished guests and members of the PolyU community.
