Dr. Fakhrul Islam Babu : The China-Bangladesh Friendship Center (CBFC), together with Asian Club Limited and the Hong Kong Association of Naturalized Chinese Limited , successfully hosted a grand multicultural celebration marking the 29th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The event was held in YauTsimMong District and brought together consular representatives, government officials, district councilors, community leaders, educators, graduates, volunteers, families, and multicultural performers from across Hong Kong.

The program was graciously sponsored and supported by the YauTsimMong District Office. The support reflected the district’s continued commitment to promoting community harmony, ethnic inclusion, public participation, and cross-cultural understanding. The celebration served not only as an anniversary gathering, but also as a meaningful community platform highlighting the contributions of ethnic minority communities to Hong Kong’s social and cultural development.

The evening began with a warm welcome from the Chinese and English Masters of Ceremonies, who greeted distinguished guests, honorable consular representatives, respected government officials, district leaders, community representatives, and ladies and gentlemen. The MCs introduced the significance of the occasion and explained that the program included two important community initiatives: the Community Harmony Multicultural Program and the Cantonese Class Graduation Ceremony.

The organizers emphasized that the event aimed to promote cultural exchange, social inclusion, friendship, and mutual understanding among Hong Kong’s diverse communities. The atmosphere at the venue was festive and welcoming, with families, performers, community members, and guests gathering to celebrate unity through speeches, performances, graduation recognition, and shared hospitality.

A major highlight of the opening session was the formal introduction of officials and guests. As each guest’s name was announced, volunteers presented a symbolic red scarf as a gesture of respect, friendship, love, and warm hospitality. The scarf presentation created a dignified and heartfelt opening, reflecting the organizing committee’s appreciation for the distinguished guests’ presence and support.

Among the dignitaries present was the Chief Guest, H.E. Mr. Rómulo Víctor Manzano Israel Jr., Consul General of the Philippines in Hong Kong, and the Assistant District Officer of YauTsimMong District, Miss WONG, Si-tsai, Ingrid. The event was also attended by senior representatives from the Equal Opportunities Commission, district councilors, leaders of ethnic minority organizations, representatives of community associations, educators, and guests from different sectors of Hong Kong society. Their presence demonstrated broad support for multicultural harmony and community empowerment.

The cultural opening began with two traditional Bengali welcome dances performed by young talents from the Bangladeshi community. Introduced by the Master of Ceremonies as “little jewels” of the community, the young performers brought grace, color, and joy to the stage. Their performances received enthusiastic applause from the audience and reflected the active participation of children and families in preserving cultural heritage while contributing to Hong Kong’s multicultural environment.

Following the Bengali welcome performances, the young dancers were invited to remain on stage to receive Certificates of Appreciation. The Organizing Committee Chair, Rtn, presented the certificates. PP Dr. ISLAM Muhammad Fakhrul, Babu孫逸仙, in recognition of their beautiful contribution to the celebration. Parents, guests, and community members warmly applauded the young performers, creating a proud and memorable moment for the families.

After the welcome performances, the stage was prepared for the ceremonial seating of the Chief Guest, honorary guests, and key representatives. The formal seating marked the beginning of the official ceremonial session. It reflected the respect given to the dignitaries and community leaders who joined the celebration in support of unity, inclusion, and friendship.

Once the chief and honorary guests were seated, the audience rose for the National Anthem of the People’s Republic of China. This was followed by the National Anthem of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The solemn and respectful moment highlighted the significance of the HKSAR anniversary while also acknowledging the cultural roots and deep community connections of many participants.

Mr. Lenny Fung, Vice Chair of CBFC, then delivered an informative sharing on the organization’s community services and multicultural initiatives. He introduced CBFC’s ongoing efforts to build bridges among different communities, support ethnic minority residents, encourage cultural understanding, and promote practical community engagement through education, outreach, and friendship-building programs.

Mr. Ali Mohammad Zaiq, representing the Hong Kong Association of Naturalized Chinese Limited, followed with remarks on identity, belonging, and community participation. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that every resident, regardless of cultural or ethnic background, feels included, respected, and valued in Hong Kong. Both Mr. Lenny Fung and Mr. Ali Mohammad Zaiq were later honored with Certificates of Appreciation for their contributions to community development and multicultural engagement.

The Organizing Committee Chair, Rtn. PP Dr. ISLAM Muhammad Fakhrul, Babu孫逸仙, delivered a heartfelt welcome speech, expressing sincere gratitude to the YauTsimMong District Office, the co-organizers, the distinguished guests, the volunteers, the performers, the graduates, the families, and the community supporters. He emphasized unity, cultural harmony, and the importance of continued community engagement. He noted that Hong Kong’s multicultural spirit is one of the city’s greatest strengths and that social harmony is strengthened when different communities work together with mutual respect and understanding.

The evening’s theme speech was delivered by Ms. Mostafa MoniraFirdouse, President of the Bangladesh Professionals’ Platform. In her address, she highlighted the role of professional collaboration, multicultural participation, and civic engagement in Hong Kong’s social development. She also spoke about the importance of creating platforms where ethnic minority professionals, women, families, and young people can contribute meaningfully to society and be recognized for their talents and service.

Special Guest Ms. ArunaGurung, YauTsimMong District Councilor, also addressed the audience. She expressed her support for multicultural initiatives and community empowerment, praising the organizers for bringing diverse communities together under a single meaningful celebration. She said the program reflected the spirit of Hong Kong as a city where different cultures can coexist, support one another, and grow together.

A certificate presentation ceremony followed, honoring several guests of honor and community representatives for their contributions to social inclusion, ethnic harmony, and cross-cultural friendship. The presentation served as a formal gesture of appreciation to individuals and organizations that have supported multicultural programs and helped strengthen understanding among Hong Kong residents.

The evening reached a significant moment when the Chief Guest, H.E. Mr. Rómulo Víctor Manzano Israel Jr., Consul General of the Philippines in Hong Kong, delivered an inspiring keynote speech. His remarks underscored the importance of cross-cultural friendship, mutual respect, and shared values in strengthening Hong Kong’s diverse communities. He praised the organizers for creating a platform where different cultures could be celebrated together through dialogue, education, and performance.

Following his keynote speech, H.E. Mr. Rómulo Víctor Manzano Israel Jr. was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the organizing team. The presentation recognized his presence, support, and encouragement for the development of the multicultural community. The audience responded with warm applause, marking the conclusion of the official ceremonial session.

With the official session completed, the event transitioned into the Cantonese Class Graduation Ceremony, one of the most meaningful parts of the evening. The ceremony celebrated students who completed the second batch of Cantonese language training jointly organized by CBFC, Asian Club Limited, and the Hong Kong Association of Naturalized Chinese Limited.

The Cantonese learning program was designed to support ethnic minority residents in improving daily communication skills and integrating more confidently into Hong Kong society. Organizers noted that Cantonese language ability can help residents communicate more effectively with neighbors, schools, employers, public service providers, and the wider community. The course also aimed to strengthen confidence, increase social participation, and deepen a sense of belonging in Hong Kong.

Tutor Mr. Oliver Cheng, Youth Secretary of Asian Club Limited, received special recognition for his dedication, patience, and volunteer service in teaching the Cantonese class. His contribution was praised as an example of youth leadership, cultural connection, and practical community service. Before the certificate presentation, Mr. Cheng performed a Chinese song, which received warm applause from the audience.

Graduates were then invited to the stage one by one to receive their certificates from the Chief Guest, Special Guest, Organizing Committee Chair, and Mr. Cheng. Ms. Amor MabezaAyisha, Secretary of Asian Club Limited, assisted in coordinating the graduation ceremony and accompanying graduates on stage. The presentation was a proud milestone for the students and their families, symbolizing achievement, confidence, and the value of language learning in community integration.

The graduation ceremony concluded with a group photo featuring graduates, distinguished guests, tutors, organizers, and community representatives. Many families captured the memorable moment on their phones and cameras. The group photo reflected the success of the Cantonese language program and the shared commitment of organizers and participants to building a more inclusive and connected Hong Kong.

The third session of the evening featured the Community Harmony Multicultural Program, a vibrant cultural showcase celebrating diversity, friendship, and harmony through performances by communities from across Hong Kong. The Chinese and English MCs invited the audience to give every performer a warm round of applause, noting that the session embodied the beauty, energy, and unity of Hong Kong’s multicultural society.

The multicultural showcase opened with a Bangladeshi group dance presented by members of the Bangladeshi community. Dressed in colorful traditional attire, the performers brought lively rhythm, energy, and cultural pride to the stage. Their performance reflected the richness of Bangladeshi heritage and received strong applause from the audience. After the dance, the performers were invited to receive Certificates of Appreciation from the Organizing Committee Chair.

The next performance was a Nepalese group dance, showcasing the elegance, rhythm, and expressive traditions of Nepalese culture. The performers impressed the audience with graceful movements, coordinated choreography, and vibrant costumes. Their performance added another layer of cultural richness to the evening and highlighted the active role of the Nepalese community in Hong Kong’s multicultural life.

The program continued with an Indonesian group dance presented by Indonesian community performers: their beautifully synchronized routine combined graceful movement, traditional rhythm, and joyful expression. The audience responded with warm applause, appreciating the performers’ dedication and the cultural beauty represented in the dance. Certificates of Appreciation were also presented to the Indonesian performers following their performance.

A Filipino solo dance followed, bringing confidence, energy, and artistic expression to the stage. The performance reflected the vibrant cultural presence of the Filipino community in Hong Kong and its valuable contribution to the city’s social and cultural development. The solo dancer’s expressive movements captivated the audience and added another memorable highlight to the multicultural program.

Additional performances from different communities continued to energize the audience, transforming the venue into a colorful celebration of culture, friendship, and unity. The stage came alive with traditional costumes, music, rhythmic movement, and joyful expressions of identity. Each performance represented not only cultural pride, but also shared values of respect, cooperation, and harmony.

The African dance finale delivered an energetic and joyful conclusion to the multicultural showcase. With powerful movements, lively rhythm, and an uplifting stage presence, the finale brought the performance segment to a high point. The audience responded with loud applause, celebrating the spirit of unity and diversity that defined the evening.

Following the performances, the Master of Ceremonies thanked all guests, performers, volunteers, graduates, supporters, and audience members for making the event a memorable celebration of unity and diversity. The organizers also expressed appreciation to the volunteers who assisted with guest reception, red scarf presentation, certificate arrangements, graduate coordination, stage management, and audience support throughout the evening.

As the program concluded, attendees were invited to collect a mutton biryani dinner packet prepared for all participants. The gesture symbolized hospitality, sharing, and community joy, reflecting the organizers’ warmth and the spirit of friendship that shaped the entire event. Families, guests, and performers left the venue with smiles, carrying both food and fond memories of the celebration.

The evening ended with warm farewells and wishes for good health, happiness, and safe journeys home. The celebration of the 29th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR was more than a formal anniversary program; it was a powerful demonstration of Hong Kong’s multicultural identity and the meaningful contributions of ethnic minority communities.

Through official speeches, cultural performances, language education, graduation recognition, community participation, and shared hospitality, the event reaffirmed a common commitment to inclusion, equal opportunity, friendship, and harmony. It showed that Hong Kong’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and that a stronger society can be built when all communities are respected, valued, and connected