CUHK
News Centre

Today (1 September) is the first day of the 2025/26 academic year at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). A flag-raising ceremony took place at the University’s flagpoles this morning, marking the start of the new term. CUHK’s student flag-guard team, composed of 14 undergraduate and postgraduate students who have received foot drill and flag-raising training from the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association, raised the national flag alongside the Hong Kong SAR flag and the CUHK flag to a rendition of the national anthem.

CUHK is honoured to have welcomed Mr Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for Security, Miss Alice Mak Mei-kuen, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Joe Chow Yat-ming, Commissioner of Police, Mr Xie Zhixiang, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR and  Mr Wang Xuanhua, Executive Director of the Liaison Office of the Leading Group for Beijing Talent Affairs in Hong Kong and Macao, together with about 260 guests including Council members, staff, students, alumni and friends of the University. Professor John Chai Yat-Chiu, Chairman of the CUHK Council and Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK presided at the ceremony.

Following the flag-raising ceremony, the Inauguration Ceremony for Undergraduates 2025 was held at Sir Run Run Shaw Hall. Professor Lo delivered an address to the new students in English. He encouraged them to harness the advantage of CUHK’s strategic position as a connector between Hong Kong and the mainland, and between China and the wider world, and to seize all the cross-border and interdisciplinary learning opportunities offered by the University. He said: “CUHK distinguishes itself by its unique mission to combine tradition with modernity and bring together China and the West. We are the first university in Hong Kong to establish a comprehensive foothold in mainland China and has continuously played a pivotal role in turbocharging the development of higher education in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. In today’s interconnected world, a global perspective will serve you well. Interact more with scholars and students from around the world of different and backgrounds both on and off campus to build up your cultural intelligence and open-mindedness. A good understanding of the global landscape and the ability to work effectively across cultures are essential qualities that employers look for in young talents nowadays.”

“Being part of the CUHK community means we will all take an innovative mindset to explore the future, support one another in the face of challenges, and celebrate each other’s growth and successes. This remarkable family is where everyone is ready to walk alongside you while you learn, grow, and make a positive difference to the world as your future unfolds,” he said.