Five of the Chinese mainland’s top Olympians and a coach share their competition stories at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and interact with audiences at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University on December 5, 2021 as one of a series of activities on the last day of the Olympian delegation's three-day visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Photo: cnsphoto

The all-star Olympic delegation of 29 Team China star athletes wrapped up their three-day visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Sunday afternoon, warmly and enthusiastically received by officials and citizens. 

Both Olympic heroes and on-site spectators told the Global Times that they totally enjoyed the visit, which left them overwhelmed by patriotic emotions. Observers noted that it is the best national education class for Hongkongers. Like other visits from the Chinese mainland this year, this trip will further strengthen ties between the mainland and Hong Kong.

Thousands of residents in HKSAR witnessed the star athletes displaying their skills and personal charm to full houses at stadiums and university halls. Sprinter Su Bingtian, paddlers Ma Long and Xu Xin, and épée fencer Sun Yiwen were on the squad. 

Olympic heroes recreated their performances for the Kong Kong people. Su made 88 steps in eight seconds, while weightlifting champion Li Fabin recreated the scene when he won the gold medal by a single-legged lift.

“This visit not only cheered up Hong Kong athletes, but also let us have a glimpse of the world's top athletes and feel their joy, I feel very close to them and excited,” a spectator surnamed Leung told the Global Times on Sunday. “They are role models for us young people.”

Some audience members mentioned the patriotic atmosphere at the venue, saying it was the most enthusiastic one they have felt in recent years.

“I was most impressed by the raising of the national flag and the singing of the national anthem, everyone was so excited,” said a student surnamed Ma.

Shot put champion Gong Lijiao told the Global Times that the atmosphere was particularly good. 

“Our compatriots in Hong Kong welcomed us and congratulated us from the bottom of their hearts,” Gong said. “It was a pleasure to interact with them and share our honor with them.”

Huang Dongping, a badminton Olympic champion, told the Global Times that she felt thrilled about the trip. 

“The HKSAR government received us warmly and Hongkongers were enthusiastic about us,” Huang said. “I feel grateful and touched.”

Huang said that she looks forward to playing in Hong Kong when the pandemic is over. 

Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong, expressed his respect and gratitude to the athletes, saying that the delegation's visit to Hong Kong amid the epidemic reflected the central government's concern for the people of Hong Kong, especially the youth.

It has become a tradition for mainland star athletes to visit Hong Kong after the Olympic Games since the return of Hong Kong to the motherland. However, there have been some unpleasant noises in previous visits, such as malicious media speculation and on-site political protests, which did not occur in this year’s event. 

“There was more enthusiasm from the Hong Kong residents than in previous visits,” a Hong Kong resident surnamed Lau told the Global Times on Sunday. “This time, there is more hope and trust of patriotic love for Hong Kong in the new era of social stability, which is the general reflection of the community.”

Experts attributed this to the introduction of the national security law. 

"The national security law cracked down on a small number of elements that were in chaos in Hong Kong, and some radical separatist forces disintegrated after that, so Hong Kong people could express their patriotism in a more natural and pure way," Li Xiaobing, an expert on Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan studies, told the Global Times on Sunday. 

Hong Kong-based newspaper Wen Wei Po said that the visit was more significant than previous ones. “In the past two years, Hong Kong has achieved a major turnaround from chaos to harmony, and the epidemic has been gradually put under control. The visit fully reflects the central government's continued care and love and unwavering support for Hong Kong.”

The visit evoked Hongkongers’ patriotic feelings and national sentiment, which is another very successful move in national education after the taikonauts' visit to Hong Kong, Li said.

"The mainland and Hong Kong have their own development strengths, and on the basis of the close ties they have established, they should also further leverage each other's strengths and complement each other in conducting exchanges, which can open up ideas and stimulate thoughts," Li said.

After finishing the three-day visit to Hong Kong, the 32-person delegation will travel to neighboring Zhuhai, South China’s Guangdong Province, before paying a visit to Macao on December 19. The Olympic heroes are expected to attend the flag-raising ceremony for the 22nd anniversary of the establishment of the Macao SAR.