National Day and China's Development
FoundationThe first of October is National Day, marking the founding of the People's Republic of China in nineteen forty-nine; learn the flag, the anthem and flag-raising etiquette, the achievements of high-speed rail and spaceflight, and the bond between Hong Kong and the country.
- National Day is the first of October, marking the founding of the People's Republic of China in nineteen forty-nine.
- The flag is the five-star red flag; the anthem is the March of the Volunteers.
- Stand still, face the flag and look dignified while the anthem plays.
文體小知識：國情知識說明文介紹國家的重要日子和發展成就，幫助我們認識祖國。
§Text Passage
1On the first of October, nineteen forty-nine, the People's Republic of China was founded, and every year since, the first of October has been National Day. Celebrations are held across the country. In the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the flag-raising ceremony takes place at the Golden Bauhinia Square, where the national and regional flags rise slowly to the anthem, watched by many residents and visitors.
2The national flag is the five-star red flag: on the bright red field sit five yellow stars in the upper left — one large star with four smaller ones — standing for the close unity of the whole people. The national anthem is the March of the Volunteers, solemn and stirring; when it plays, we stand still, face the flag and show a dignified manner.
3Over more than seventy years the country has changed with each passing day. The high-speed rail network reaches everywhere — from Hong Kong West Kowloon, trains run direct to Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing. Shenzhou crewed spacecraft have risen again and again; the Chinese space station orbits the Earth; the Chang'e probes have landed on the far side of the Moon. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge spans Lingding waters, joining Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao in one line.
4The country's development and Hong Kong are closely linked: the Dongjiang supplies our water, the mainland is Hong Kong's largest trading partner, and goods and travellers cross by high-speed rail, the bridge and the control points. Knowing the country's history and achievements and caring for society and the nation is the attitude every Hong Kong student should have. On National Day, watch the flag-raising ceremony with your family and talk about the country's progress.
1Summary 重點摘要
The first of October is National Day, marking the founding of the People's Republic of China in nineteen forty-nine; learn the flag, the anthem and flag-raising etiquette, the achievements of high-speed rail and spaceflight, and the bond between Hong Kong and the country.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
The first of October, marking the founding of the People's Republic of China in nineteen forty-nine.
The full name of our country, founded on the first of October, nineteen forty-nine.
China's national flag, a red field with five yellow stars.
The song standing for the nation; China's is the March of the Volunteers.
The solemn ceremony of raising the flag slowly to the national anthem.
Railways running above three hundred kilometres an hour, linking West Kowloon with many mainland cities.
The sea bridge across Lingding waters joining Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao, about fifty-five kilometres long.
Activities exploring and using space, such as the Shenzhou crewed ships and Chang'e lunar probes.
Closely connected, such as the country's development with Hong Kong.
3Step by step Steps
- Step 1: Remember the date and originNational Day falls on the first of October, because the People's Republic of China was founded on that day in nineteen forty-nine, opening a new page in Chinese history. Every year on this day celebrations are held across the whole country, and a solemn flag-raising ceremony takes place at Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong. Remembering the date and its origin lets us join the celebrations with understanding. The celebrations also include fireworks displays and variety performances, with national and regional flags hung along the streets in a lively atmosphere.
- Step 2: Know the flag and the anthemThe national flag is the five-star red flag: on a red field, one large star together with four smaller stars stands for the close unity of the people. The national anthem is the March of the Volunteers, solemn and stirring. When we see the flag slowly rising and hear the anthem at a flag-raising ceremony or on important occasions, we should stand still in respect for the country. The anthem was written by Tian Han with music by Nie Er, born in the nation's time of peril, inspiring the people to unite and strive.
- Step 3: Learn the ceremony etiquetteA flag-raising ceremony is solemn, and the etiquette shows respect for the nation. While the anthem plays, stand still, face the flag and look dignified, with no fidgeting and no loud chatting; pupils may show respect with a steady gaze. Talk with classmates only after the ceremony ends. Knowing the etiquette, you will never feel awkward at any ceremony. Before the ceremony, switch your phone to silent and wear a tidy uniform or clean clothes — also part of the proper manners.
- Step 4: Know the transport achievementsThe country's transport has advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years. The high-speed train runs from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Beijing in about nine hours, saving hours of travel time; the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, about fifty-five kilometres long, is the longest sea-crossing bridge in the world, joining Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao. A far-reaching transport network makes travel and shipping easier. The country's high-speed rail network is the largest in the world, and from Hong Kong trains run direct to many major mainland cities.
- Step 5: Know the spaceflight achievementsThe country's space achievements catch the world's eye. Shenzhou spacecraft have carried astronauts into space and to the Chinese space station for scientific experiments; the Chang'e probes have landed on the far side of the Moon — the first time humans have brought back soil from there. Such achievements come from years of effort by countless scientists, and they are well worth learning from. The Chinese space station is also open to scientific experiments, and crewed lunar landings are planned — the space programme keeps moving forward.
- Step 6: Care for the links with Hong KongThe country and Hong Kong are closely linked, and we can follow this in daily life. Watch the news about Dongjiang water supplies, control points and high-speed rail services, and understand that much of Hong Kong's water and supplies are supported by the mainland; on National Day, watch the flag-raising ceremony with your family and talk about the year's progress. Caring for the country helps Hong Kong seize the opportunities ahead. Whether we build our future in Hong Kong or on the mainland, knowing the country helps us grasp more opportunities.
4Diagrams Diagrams
5Worked example Example
Example: at the school's National Day flag-raising ceremony, Tak chatted with classmates while the anthem played. What was wrong, and what should he do?
- The anthem is solemn and stands for the nation's dignity, so everyone should stand still while it plays.
- The flag-raising ceremony is a solemn occasion; chatting shows disrespect.
- He should face the flag, look dignified and keep silent.
- Only after the ceremony should he talk with classmates, perhaps sharing what he knows of the country's development.
- Answer: Tak should stand quietly and face the flag while the anthem plays, taking part in the ceremony with a dignified and earnest manner; only after the ceremony ends should he chat with classmates — this is the respect the country deserves.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1When is National Day, and why?
Q2What is China's national anthem?
Q3What do the five stars on the flag stand for?
Q4Name two of the country's development achievements.
Q5Which three places does the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge join?
8Recap Recap
- National Day is the first of October, marking the founding of the People's Republic of China in nineteen forty-nine.
- The flag is the five-star red flag; the anthem is the March of the Volunteers.
- Stand still, face the flag and look dignified while the anthem plays.
- High-speed rail, spaceflight and the great bridge are achievements of national development.
- The country and Hong Kong are closely linked; care for the nation and society.