A Reflection on the 1st July Thematic Education Activities at PKXYS

As the midsummer bauhinia flowers bloom, Shenzhen Hong Kong Pui Kiu College Longhua Xinyi School (PKXYS) marked two significant milestones—the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the 104th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC)—with a flag-raising ceremony on 23rd June 2025. Under the theme "Together to Build the Chinese Dream", hundreds of students and teachers gathered in the morning light to honour history with solemnity and pledge their youthful commitment to the future. This educational institution bridging Shenzhen and Hong Kong once again brought life to a strong sense of national identity, deeply rooted in the school's cultural ethos.

Chapter 1: Event Highlights

In the early morning light, 22 students from both the primary and secondary sections formed the ceremonial flag guard and marched in step to "Ode to the Motherland". As the national anthem "March of the Volunteers" echoed through the venue, all teachers and students stood in respectful silence, watching the Five-Star Red Flag rise slowly and proudly into the sky.

Under the national flag, representatives from both primary and secondary sections delivered speeches on the theme "Safeguard National Security, Share the Dream."

Primary student LIU, speaking with youthful sincerity, shared her experience as a member of the flag-raising team. She described the pride she feels each time the national anthem is played and the flag is raised, and the strong sense of duty she carries as a flag bearer. LIU added that in the 28 years since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the "one country, two systems" framework has preserved its unique strengths—and that safeguarding national security is a sacred duty for every citizen, especially the youth of this new era.

Senior secondary student ZHUANG spoke with clarity and poise as she reflected on China's journey through reform and opening up. Standing at what she called a new era of national rejuvenation, she emphasised the steadfast spirit of the school's flag-raising team—always upholding national sovereignty and embracing patriotism. Escorting the national flag, she noted, is a great honour; but safeguarding national security in everyday life is an even greater responsibility.

The passionate voices of the students, set against a backdrop of training footage and the slowly rising red flag, created a powerful and moving dialogue across time and space—deeply resonating with all present and reinforcing their shared commitment to national security and the dreams of the new era.

Chapter 2: Secondary Section Activities

Since the launch of the themed class meeting "In Search of Hong Kong's Urban Memories: Celebrating the Party's Establishment and Hong Kong's Handover" on 4th June, the school library has featured a special exhibition area titled "Two Cities, Shared Memories". Inspired by this setting, students initiated three creative projects that brought the theme to life:

1. Themed Poster Creation: Celebrating the Party's Establishment and Hong Kong's Handover

Using a variety of media—watercolour, printmaking, and collage—students translated the spirit of the Party's founding and the emotional significance of the Handover into visual art. Through techniques like three-dimensional paper cutting and ink painting, they created stunning posters that brought together the Five-Star Red Flag and bauhinia flower in striking harmony. These works now form a vibrant "Greater Bay Area Art Corridor" along the library's hallway.

2. "Stories of Hong Kong" Postcard Exhibition

Curated by the Secondary Moral Education Department under the theme "Seeing Objects, Seeing People, Seeing Spirit", this exhibition featured 50 sets of postcards showcasing iconic Hong Kong landmarks—from the night view of Victoria Harbour to ancestral halls in walled villages. The exhibition transformed the library into a unique liberal studies lesson, deepening students' understanding of the cultural community within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

3. "Mystery of Hong Kong" Lantern Riddle Contest

Also organised by the Secondary Moral Education Department, this lively event featured 25 original lantern riddles, creatively woven from Hong Kong place names, Cantonese expressions, and traditional foods. The activity brought traditional wordplay to life as a tool of cultural inheritance. With over 100 students taking part, the atmosphere was buzzing with curiosity and enthusiasm. A message board filled with colourful notes captured students' reflections: "I just learnt that 'Kennedy Town' was named after a colonial governor." (LI from Grade 8), "When guessing 'Tai Po Market', which corresponds to 'seeking truth from facts', my dad told me stories about the anti-Japanese resistance in the New Territories." (ZHANG from Grade 10), "I hope we can design riddles about West Kowloon next year." (HUANG from Traditional Chinese Culture Club)

Chapter 3: Embarking on a New Era

As twilight fell, the melody of "My Country and I" continued to echo across the campus. This immersive patriotic experience has not only become a spiritual landmark in the memories of teachers and students but also sparked a renewed sense of national identity among young people from Shenzhen and Hong Kong. As expressed in our school song "The Song of Pui Kiu": "Pui Kiu, we are forever young; we are always advancing. The construction of New China relies on the strength of our youth." With this spirit in mind, we hope every student at Pui Kiu Xinyi School will rise with resilience like a phoenix reborn—honed by the challenges of this new era—and together write a vibrant new chapter for the new generation in the Greater Bay Area: "Youth Voice for China".