HKSAR holds flag-raising ceremony to celebrate 29th anniversary of its return to motherland; awards presented to notable contributors, including late firefighter Ho Wai-ho

To celebrate the 29th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), a flag-raising ceremony was held on Wednesday morning at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, attended by local officials including HKSAR Chief Executive (CE) John Lee Ka-chiu and former CEs Leung Chun-ying, Donald Tsang and Carrie Lam, as well as distinguished members of the community and representatives of the disciplined services, according to local media reports. 

An honor guard escorted Chinese national flag and the HKSAR regional flag to the flagpoles for the flag-raising ceremony. As the flags were raised, all guests stood solemnly facing the national flag and the regional flag.

During the ceremony, the Police Silver Band performed, while the flag-guarding team and ceremonial guard marched in using Chinese-style foot drill. The performance of the national anthem was led by a guest vocalist, according to media reports.

Several helicopters from the HKSAR government Flying Service flew over Victoria Harbour carrying the national flag and the HKSAR regional flag. Meanwhile, fireboats and vessels from the Hong Kong Police Force performed a water salute off the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, spraying jets of water in tribute.

Following the flag-raising ceremony, the HKSAR held a reception at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. During the event, a video message from Hong Kong astronaut Lai Ka-ying, recorded aboard the Tiangong space station, was played, with her speaking in both Putonghua and Cantonese, local media RTHK reported. 

Lai Ka-ying, a Hong Kong local, made history as the first member of China's fourth batch of astronauts to take on an in-orbit mission, as well as the first female payload specialist from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions to join a national manned space program.

Speaking first in Putonghua, Lai said she was deeply honored to display the HKSAR flag aboard the space station as a gesture of profound gratitude to the country and of her best wishes for Hong Kong, RTHK said. 

She then switched to Cantonese, saying that being able to speak from space on this special occasion vividly demonstrated the valuable opportunities Hong Kong enjoys under the principle of "One Country, Two Systems," with the support of the motherland.

As Hong Kong's first astronaut, Lai said she has felt immense pride while carrying out her mission as part of China's space program. She added that she has witnessed firsthand how the country's efforts to build itself into a leading space power not only advance human civilization but also contribute to creating a better future for humanity.

In his keynote address at the reception, HKSAR CE John Lee said that over the past four years, his administration has transformed the government's culture by establishing a "results-oriented" approach, tackling problems that had accumulated over many years, according to local media reports. 

Lee said his government had restored security and stability to Hong Kong by completing the historic local legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR strengthening the city's national security framework, and fully implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong." He added that reforms to the governance system have also begun to produce tangible results.

Looking ahead, Lee said the HKSAR government is drafting Hong Kong's first-ever Five-Year Plan, with public consultation already underway.

Consultation on this year's Policy Address also began this week. He said the Five-Year Plan will provide strategic direction for Hong Kong's economic and social development, while future Policy Addresses will align with the plan by setting measurable targets, reporting progress, and introducing policy initiatives tailored to changing circumstances each year.

The most significant change in Hong Kong in recent years has been the profound transformation of its governance system, Willy Fu, a law professor who is also the director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday. 

The implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the completion of legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR have established a solid legal safeguard for protecting national security. At the same time, the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" has been fully implemented, ensuring that the city's governing power is firmly in the hands of patriots, Fu noted. 

The HKSAR government has also become more proactive in adapting to new circumstances, responding to challenges and pursuing reform by deepening governance reforms and improving administrative efficiency, bringing an end to the previous passive approach toward safeguarding national security and governance, Fu added. 

Meanwhile, the greatest constant is the unwavering implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and the preservation of Hong Kong's unique advantages. 

"The central government's commitment to 'One Country, Two Systems' remains steadfast while Hong Kong's status as an international financial, trade, and shipping center remains unchanged. Its strengths, including the common law system, an open and free market, and internationally connected professional services, continue to be maintained, and the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the law remain fully protected," he said. 

Also, on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, a total of 466 people who have made significant contributions to Hong Kong in different areas were awarded by the CE, according to the HKSAR government. 

Late firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Wang Fuk Court blaze in November 2025, was posthumously awarded the Medal for Bravery (Gold). The HKSAR government said the chief executive described Ho as deserving of the highest honor and respect.

According to the HKSAR government website, the HKSAR government on Wednesday held the launch ceremony for a series of events marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Lau Siu-kai, consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times that after the central government restored order in Hong Kong and anti-China forces seeking to destabilize the city were eliminated, Hong Kong has been able to actively, smoothly, and effectively promote national education, including patriotic education. He said that in the past, the CPC was smeared due to interference from both external and internal hostile forces.

Lau noted that in recent years, under Hong Kong's new political landscape, the advancement of national education has helped improve public understanding of and respect for the CPC. "This has enabled the HKSAR government to organize a wide range of activities aimed at enhancing Hong Kong society's understanding of and confidence in the CPC."