Youth mark May 4 anniversary

Top Beijing and Hong Kong officials, along with members of 19 youth uniformed groups yesterday attended a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai to commemorate the 104th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki and Liaison Office deputy head Chen Dong were the guests of honor.

Members of the uniformed groups marched into the venue with Chinese-style foot drills, known as "goose-stepping."

Members of the Civil Aid Service's Cadet Corps Guards of Honour and the Hong Kong Army Cadets were tasked as flag raisers and flag guards, respectively.

After the flag-raising ceremony, a representative of each uniformed group made a declaration of patriotism, saying they would love Hong Kong, uphold its sovereignty and help open a new chapter for the city.

The May Fourth Movement in 1919 was an anti-imperialist campaign, sparked by demonstrations from university students in Beijing to protest against the transfer of Chinese territories to Japan, previously controlled by Germany.