New semester starts, violence deplored
Hong Kong: Hong Kong has more than 1000 kindergartens, 587 elementary schools, 506 secondary schools, and 22 institutions that confer higher education degrees. Classes began on Monday without disturbances, despite boycott calls from the opposition. School principal Wong KamLeung spread a message of peace, hard work and loving one’s own country as he made his first-dayof-school speech. 800 students and teachers gathered for a national flag-raising ceremony at a spacious hall of Wong Cho Bau School in the New Territories.
Flag-raising at the beginning of a school year is its tradition.
“It saddens me to see all the controversy and disturbances in Hong Kong over the summer. Those young people who threw a national flag into the sea must have very low respect for the flag and the country. Today’s ceremony is significant. It teaches students to respect the country,” he said. “We can only have a safe home and a nice place to study when we have a strong nation at our back. For Hong Kong to develop, it must integrate into the overall picture of the Chinese nation, and that is the way for young people in Hong Kong to find success in the future.” As students returned to school, a handful of violent demonstrators disrupted the morning public commuting by blocking train doors. A team of 19 young flag guards in white uniforms marched in the ceremony, while their classmates watched respectfully. All stood at attention as the flag was hoisted.
“I’m nervous, but very excited. We practiced a lot to make sure we march at the same pace. This is a huge honour for me,” said nineyear-old April Lam.