The police band puts on a performance during a flag-raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, in celebration of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Oct 1, 2022. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

From squares and campuses to temples and residential estates, five-star red national flags were raised across the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Saturday to mark the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and other government officials attended a solemn flag-raising ceremony at 8 am in Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai.

A flag-raising ceremony is held at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, in celebration of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Oct 1, 2022. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Similar ceremonies were also held by Hong Kong-based central government departments such as the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, the Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR, the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR and the Hong Kong Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army.

A fly-past by Government Flying Service helicopters is held in celebration of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Oct 1, 2022. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

To boost the younger generation’s national identity, national flag-raising ceremonies also took place at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Religious places such as Wong Tai Sin Temple in Kowloon, staged events and a series of activities and performances to promote Chinese traditional culture and to celebrate National Day.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu arrives at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, to attend a flag-raising ceremony in celebration of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Oct 1, 2022. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Red flags were also hoisted in local communities in Sham Shui Po, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin, Yuen Long, to involve more local residents in jointly marking the occasion and spreading the festive vibe among the general public.

A flag-raising ceremony is held at the Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR in celebration of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Oct 1, 2022. (HK.OCMFA.GOV.CN)

A flag-raising ceremony is held at the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in celebration of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Oct 1, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

A flag-raising ceremony is held by the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison on Oct 1, 2022 to mark the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)