City Turns ‘Red Sea’ of Flags for Hong Kong’s 29th Anniversary of Return
Hong Kong will mark the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Wednesday with an official flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, followed by a government reception at the city’s main convention venue. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and senior officials are scheduled to attend both events as the city stages its annual commemoration of the July 1 handover.
The flag-raising will take place at 8 a.m. outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre at Golden Bauhinia Square. Representatives from various community sectors and members of disciplined and uniformed groups are invited to attend, though authorities say there will be no public viewing area on site. The Hong Kong Police Band is set to perform, while singers Lam Chun and Yau Tsz-chin will lead the national anthem, joined by choirs from Belilios Public School and Queen’s College. Disciplined services will conduct salutes from the air and at sea as part of the ceremony.
After the ceremony, the government will host a celebration reception in the Grand Hall on the third floor of the Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the chief executive officiating. Police have announced special traffic arrangements in the vicinity of Golden Bauhinia Square during the events, and authorities have urged motorists to pay attention to temporary diversions and road closures in the Wan Chai area.
Across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, districts have been decorated to mark the 29th anniversary of the city’s return. Large banners celebrating the founding of the SAR are visible along major roads, while buses and trams carrying commemorative designs are running through residential and commercial neighborhoods. Numerous landmarks and community spots have been lined with national and regional flags, creating what local media described as a “red sea” of decorations. Schools, traditional community groups and rural leaders have also taken part in the displays, underscoring efforts to present a festive atmosphere and an image of stability and prosperity as Hong Kong commemorates nearly three decades since the establishment of the SAR.
