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HKSAR holds flag-raising ceremony to mark 29th anniversary of return to motherland

China

HKSAR holds flag-raising ceremony to mark 29th anniversary of return to motherland
China

China

HKSAR holds flag-raising ceremony to mark 29th anniversary of return to motherland

2026-07-01 15:42 Last Updated At:16:17

The government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday held a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 29th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Leung Chun-ying, Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee, and head of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, as well as representatives from all walks of life, attended the flag-raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square on Wednesday morning.

With the majestic national anthem playing, the flag bearers raised the national and regional flags skyward, and the vibrant flags rose slowly, fluttering in the wind. Attendees stood in solemn attention, singing the national anthem.

Three helicopters flew over Hong Kong's iconic Victoria Harbor, displaying the national and regional flags, while a fireboat from the Hong Kong Fire Services Department performed a water salute in the harbor.

Earlier in the morning, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR, and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, also held separate flag-raising ceremonies to mark the anniversary.

HKSAR holds flag-raising ceremony to mark 29th anniversary of return to motherland

HKSAR holds flag-raising ceremony to mark 29th anniversary of return to motherland

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday unveiled a long-delayed Defense Investment Plan, announcing an additional 15 billion pounds for defense that will bring the country's total defense spending over the next four years to nearly 300 billion pounds.

In addition, Starmer said the government would increase defense spending from 2.3 percent of the GDP in 2024 to 2.7 percent by 2029, putting Britain on a path to reach 3 percent during the next Parliament.

Originally scheduled for release in the fall of 2025, the plan has been repeatedly delayed due to disputes between the UK Ministry of Defense and the Treasury over funding scale, allocation cycles, and sources of financing.

UK adds another 15 billion pounds for defense

UK adds another 15 billion pounds for defense

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