Hong Kong police observe National Security Education Day by performing Chinese mainland-style foot drills at Hong Kong Police College, April 15, 2021. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong society hailed the disciplined services’ landmark transition to a Chinese-style foot drill on July 1, saying the move reflected the city’s unprecedented strong confidence in the nation and will further bolster local people’s sense of belonging to the country.

Starting from Friday, the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, all of the city’s disciplinary forces, including the Hong Kong Police Force and Hong Kong Customs, have switched from British-style marching to Chinese-style marching, with all commands being called out in Mandarin.

At the national flag-raising ceremony held by the special administrative region’s government to mark the grand anniversary, a team of officers marched Chinese-style into the Golden Bauhinia Square and unfurled the national flag in the air when the national anthem was played.

Local resident Joy Chen Ying-Chang, father of a 6-year-old boy, welcomed the change, saying it represents a fresh look of local law enforcers and embodies Hong Kong people’s full confidence in the nation

Local resident Joy Chen Ying-Chang, father of a 6-year-old boy, welcomed the change, saying it represents a fresh look of local law enforcers and embodies Hong Kong people’s full confidence in the nation.

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“I think every Hong Kong resident who loves the city and the nation will cheer for the landmark transition,” he said.

Chen, who saw the National Day parade on TV and also previously watched a national-flag raising ceremony in person at Tian’anmen Square, was impressed by the Chinese-style goose-stepping performed by the People’s Liberation Army, which showcased the soldiers’ high spirit and morale.

Lam Chi-wai, chairman of the Junior Police Officers’ Association, said the transition on the milestone anniversary has fully demonstrated the Police Force’s firm resolution to safeguard national security and social stability, adding that it will be conducive for further bolstering local people’s national identity and affection of the country.

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Lam said that the symbolic change is an emphasis of the firm stance that Hong Kong is an inalienable part of the nation, and can further dilute the city’s culture marks left by the British. It is of great significance to the country and the HKSAR, he said.

Retired police chief inspector Luk Hoi-ho, who served the police force for over 30 years, is proud that the disciplined forces have taken the lead to align themselves with the nation’s administrative style.

He said that many uniformed groups in the city also have adopted Chinese-style foot drills and related protocols in recent years. Although the Chinese-style marching is more difficult to learn, the drill performance is a feast for the eyes. He hopes more Hong Kong young people can practice it in the future, to strengthen their perseverance, teamwork spirit, and national sentiment.

Oasis Hu contributed to the story