Flag-raising ceremony held in Macao to mark 77th founding anniversary of PRC

China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) held a flag-raising ceremony at the Golden Lotus Square on Thursday morning to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

At 08:00, a flag-bearing contingent composed of members of the Police Tactical Intervention Unit, a subordinate of the Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau of Macao, escorted the national flag and the Macao SAR flag into the square in a Chinese-style marching step.

This marks the first time members of the Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau have participated in a flag-raising ceremony using Chinese-style drill formations. To match the style, the contingent members wore brand-new uniforms and were equipped with brand-new gear.

Macao SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai attended the ceremony, along with heads of central government agencies in Macao and representatives of people from all walks of life in the region.

Young representatives from Macao who had previously traveled to Beijing to participate in the "Salute to the National Flag" event also attended the ceremony.

"As a youth from Macao, I feel particularly honored and proud to be able to participate in this flag-raising ceremony. After watching the ceremony, I feel extremely moved and excited," said Tai U Fei, a student from the Macao SAR.

"This is the first time this year to witness the change from the Portuguese-style to the Chinese-style drill formations. I had seen their training before, and this time I was able to witness this historic moment with my own eyes at the Golden Lotus Square. I feel very honored. We had just returned from our visit to Beijing, where we also watched the same flag-raising ceremony from the viewing stand at Tian'anmen Square. When those familiar steps came to our land in Macao, I felt a strong sense of familiarity and honor. My feelings today are as warm as the sunshine," said another young student named Che Hang Kok.

Following the flag-raising ceremony, the Macao SAR government held a reception to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Sam said the motherland's vigorous development and constant progress have always been the strongest support and warmest haven for the Macao SAR.

Looking ahead, Macao will demonstrate greater resolve and adopt a more forward-looking approach to push the SAR to make greater contribution to the great cause of building China into a powerful country and realizing national rejuvenation, he said, adding that the SAR will write a new chapter in the successful practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics.

Flag-raising ceremony held in Macao to mark 77th founding anniversary of PRC

Multiple border ports across China held flag-raising ceremonies to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

China's National Day, which falls on October 1 every year, often sees flag-raising ritual performed by the country's service members.

At the ports in northeast China's Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and east China's Shandong Province, the majestic national anthem of the People's Republic of China was played while the five-star red flag was hoisted. "I have witnessed the flag-raising ceremony, during which young men of the current flag guard of honor are radiant. I wish our motherland prosperity, and all the best!" said Zhao Zhihong, a tourist in Inner Mongolia.

"Today, I am honored to be a member of the national flag guard team at the port and carry out the flag-raising mission at the Erenhot Port. The moment the five-star red flag was raised, I felt extremely proud in my heart. In the future, I will stand firm in my position, perform my duties conscientiously and safeguard the northern border of our motherland," said Song Jing, a member of the national flag guard team in Inner Mongolia.

At the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Zhuhai Port, the entry-exit administration departments of the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao formed a joint flag guard team to raise the national flag together.

"Today, Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao raised the national flag in the same sea area synchronously, which makes me feel that we are connected with the same water, and united under the national flag. This is the power of the national flag and also the most vivid and fresh portrayal of the integrated development of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao," said Wang Xiaolong, a member of the national flag guard team and a police officer of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge border inspection station.

"I was deeply inspired while watching the flag-raising ceremony here, very excited. I wish everyone a happy National Day and our country prosperity!" said Lui Ka-yeung, Immigration Officer of Heung Yuen Wai Control Point under Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

At the Dulongjiang Frontier Police Station in southwest China's Yunnan Province and the Paiyik Border Police Station in northwest China' Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, police officers raised the national flag and sang the national anthem together with people of all ethnic groups.

Chinese border ports hold National Day flag-raising ceremonies