Cheung Chau Bun Festival integrates national security: NSpeed balloon takes flight to promote cultural and social security

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The Cheung Chau Bun Festival, listed as a "National Intangible Cultural Heritage," attracts tens of thousands of people to the island every year to watch traditional cultural activities such as the Piu Sik (Floating Colours) parade and the Bun Scrambling Competition. 

This year's event added a new twist. The NSpeed promotional balloon from the National Security Department of the Police Force took off in Cheung Chau for the first time, escorting the Piu Sik parade. 

The police deployed a massive force to maintain order, ensuring the event proceeded smoothly and safely, protecting citizens. It also deepened the public's understanding of "cultural security" and "social security" within the Holistic Approach to National Security, effectively telling a good Hong Kong story to tourists.

Cross-departmental joint deployment demonstrates coordination in social security

This year's Bun Festival was held on the actual day of Buddha's Birthday (May 24). With over 51,000 passenger trips between Central and Cheung Chau that day, the police had already deployed personnel at the Central Ferry Pier in the morning.

Officers periodically patrolled the entrances and exits, providing reminders about ferry service arrangements. 

Personnel from the Cheung Chau Police District and the Police Tactical Unit (PTU), along with multiple departments including the Fire Services Department, Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS), and Civil Aid Service (CAS), launched a cross-departmental joint operation on Cheung Chau. 

The police arranged for officers at major intersections and corners along the parade route on the island, setting up barricades and cordons to ensure a smooth flow of crowds.

On the scene, it was observed that the police deployed additional personnel at the road intersection connecting to public transport outside the Central Pier to respond to tourist inquiries and manage the crowd. 

During the parade, officers also ensured that citizens could safely and smoothly watch the Piu Sik parade in a peaceful and orderly atmosphere. 

Florent, an Australian residing in Hong Kong, described: "Hong Kong is very safe, the atmosphere is cool and peaceful, and everyone has put on a smile today." 

Steve, a Briton residing in Hong Kong, also praised: "There are over ten thousand people on the island today, entirely under excellent order and control. 

The police have done a great job." Cheung, an expatriate woman who has lived in Hong Kong for half a century, stated that she comes to the Cheung Chau Bun Festival every year to gather with friends and believes the police arrangements were orderly: "The police are very good, and the arrangements are excellent."

National security Piu Sik introduced for the first time, deepening cultural security in people's minds

The biggest highlight of this year's Piu Sik parade was the introduction of national security elements for the first time. With the theme "Piu Sik Accompanies, National Security Escorts," the police set up national security flags, promotional props, the "NSpeed" balloon, and souvenir booths at places like the Cheung Chau Family Walk near the pier promenade and the central plaza. Director of National Security Kelvin Kong Hok-lai and Assistant Commissioner of Police (National Security) Kenneth Kwok Ka-chuen personally visited the site to distribute towels and hand fans to citizens, interacting and taking photos with them to share the joy with the public.

In the parade procession, the main characters of the national security animation and comic series, "Andy and Security Bear", took off on the "NSpeed" promotional balloon, making a grand finale appearance at the back of the parade. 

The balloon hovered in mid-air, conveying the message that "National Security is Everyone's Responsibility," which was welcomed with applause from the watching crowd.

Kwok stated that the National Security Department seized the opportunity this year to incorporate elements of safeguarding national security into the event for the first time, hoping to integrate national security education into traditional Chinese culture. 

Through this event, citizens can come into contact with the realm of cultural security, while also understanding that the police force's work in managing large-scale public events and maintaining social security is a crucial area in practicing national security. 

He added that promoting national security through a unique event like the Piu Sik parade, which can highlight cultural confidence, underscores its importance more effectively than a general exhibition. 

It can also reach more local residents and overseas tourists, bringing the message of national security to a wider audience.

Inheritance of traditional culture, tourists praise good order

Yung Chi-ming, Chairman of the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee, pointed out that the traditional culture of the Cheung Chau Bun Festival has evolved from the early days of "warding off plagues" to the Piu Sik parade and Bun Scrambling, and has become a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. 

Currently, there are still many young people willing to continue passing it on. 

Regarding the police's addition of national security elements this year, he expressed a welcoming attitude: "The police are very cooperative and have always been willing to help maintain order over the years. We welcome them to promote and let the whole of Hong Kong know about the National Security Law."

Xu, a tourist from Shenzhen visiting the Bun Festival for the first time, felt that "every place is guarded by police, and order is maintained very well." She had a good impression of the on-site atmosphere and said if there is a chance to come again, she would arrive in Cheung Chau earlier to fully experience the local customs and culture.

Through the combination of traditional festivals and national security education, the police successfully integrated "cultural security" and "social security" into traditional cultural celebrations. Citizens visiting Cheung Chau to watch the Piu Sik parade can not only experience the charm of intangible cultural heritage but also conveniently understand the connotations of the Holistic Approach to National Security, realizing the profound meaning of "National Security is Everyone's Responsibility."

𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽 ↓