Hong Kong Marks Double Ninth Festival with WWII Memorial at City Hall
Crhk · 5 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong SAR Government conducted its annual memorial ceremony on Sunday morning at the City Hall Memorial Garden, commemorating individuals who sacrificed their lives defending Hong Kong during the Second World War between 1941 and 1945. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu presided over the event, joined by senior government officials and former leaders. The ceremony, held on the Double Ninth Festival, included traditional elements of national mourning.
Key Points
- The memorial ceremony began at 8am at the City Hall Memorial Garden, coinciding with the Double Ninth Festival on October 18, 2026
- Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu led the proceedings and laid a wreath in honor of the WWII fallen
- The ceremony commemorated individuals who died defending Hong Kong during the 1941-1945 Pacific War period
- National anthem was performed followed by flag-raising, then a two-minute silence was observed throughout the venue
- Attended by Leung Chun-ying, Donald Tsang, Legislative Council President Andrew Pei, and multiple bureau secretaries
Why It Matters
The annual memorial ceremony reinforces collective memory of the Battle of Hong Kong and the subsequent Japanese occupation that fundamentally shaped Hong Kong's modern identity. Chief Executive John Lee's social media message emphasized that remembering wartime sacrifices should motivate present generations to cherish and protect Hong Kong's hard-won peace and stability while continuing to build for the future .
The annual memorial ceremony reinforces collective memory of the Battle of Hong Kong and the subsequent Japanese occupation that fundamentally shaped Hong Kong's modern identity. Chief Executive John Lee's social media message emphasized that remembering wartime sacrifices should motivate present generations to cherish and protect Hong Kong's hard-won peace and stability while continuing to build for the future .