A flag-raising ceremony was held Sunday morning in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Attended by approximately 1,200 local students, the event aimed to cultivate patriotism among youth and a sense of responsibility toward the nation and its people.
During the event, hosted by the Committee of Youth Activities in Hong Kong, youth uniformed groups marched into Golden Bauhinia Square in neat formations and performed Chinese-style foot drills at 07:50.
At 08:00, the national flag and the SAR flag were slowly raised as all those present stood solemnly and sang the national anthem.
"Firstly, I feel that Youth Day allows Hong Kong youth to further recognize our national identity. It allows us to become patriotic youths who love their nation and strive for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. I am very honored to be able to participate in this flag-raising ceremony and to unfurl the flag of the motherland in Hong Kong, enhancing the Hong Kong residents' affection for the country," said Tse Yiu-yu, a member of the national flag guard of Hong Kong Army Cadets Association.
"This year's Youth Day is very meaningful. The flag-raising ceremony can help better promote the spirit of patriotism. The May Fourth Movement represents the youth's feelings for the nation and society. Therefore, this patriotic sentiment must be promoted and passed on. We hope that through our enthusiasm, we, the youth can contribute to the future national construction and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," said Stanley Ng Chau-pei, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC).
China's Youth Day, which falls on May 4, marks the anniversary of the May Fourth Movement in China, a monumental youth movement that ignited profound social changes in the country.
Hong Kong marks 80th anniversary of victory in war of resistance with flag-raising ceremony
China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao outlined the key priorities of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, which opened on Friday in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province.
In an interview with CGTN ahead of the two-day meeting, Wang said free trade, digital cooperation and green economy are high on the agenda of the meeting.
"The key areas include advancing regional economic integration and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, supporting the World Trade Organization (WTO) in strengthening digital cooperation and developing green economy. At present, the international situation is marked by intertwined turbulence and chaos, with intensified geopolitical instability. The rise of unilateralism and protectionism poses serious challenges to the international economic and trade order, disrupting global and Asia-Pacific development. Against this backdrop, all parties have higher expectations for this trade ministers' meeting, hoping that it can build consensus and deliver outcomes," Wang said.
This year marks China's third time hosting the APEC meetings and the 35th anniversary of its membership.
By 2025, China had become the largest trading partner of 13 APEC economies. Trade between China and APEC economies reached 3.7 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 57.8 percent of China's total foreign trade.
China has signed 24 free trade agreements or economic and trade arrangements with 31 countries and regions, including 15 APEC economies. In recent years, China has also completed upgrades of free trade agreements with APEC economies such as Singapore and Peru.
The minister said that China has always been a firm supporter and an important contributor to APEC.
"We have actively shared our vast market and development opportunities with all parties. China's door to the world will only open wider and wider. Facing the common challenges, China will continue to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country, further deepen reform, expand high-standard opening-up, and continue to provide new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region and the world with its new achievements in Chinese modernization," the minister said.
China's Commerce Minister outlines priorities for 32nd APEC trade ministers' meeting
