Alongside the weather’s change for the better, our school gathered outside on March 6th, 2023, for the second flag-raising ceremony of the semester. The theme of this ceremony was “A Dignified Display of Military Strength and Nationalistic Pride”, and instructors from a Shanghai Military Base were invited to attend in a bid to promote national defense education.
A Decorous Flag-raising Ceremony
The decorous flag-raising ceremony began with the resounding national anthem. The instructors exhibited perfect posture, crisp movements and determined focus. Everyone present watched with hearts full of pride as the red flag with the five golden stars was raised into position.
Impressive performances,
elegance and proficiency
“Qin Di Quan” Demonstration
The instructors’ elegance and proficiency were further demonstrated through their perfectly coordinated and disciplined parade, reflecting the excellent qualities of Chinese soldiers: strict organizational discipline, efficient work style, and strong team spirit.
“Qin Di Quan” Demonstration
An impressive Qin Di Quan demonstration followed. This martial art combines kicking, punching, throwing and subduing an opponent. There are 16 combined movements designed for both defensive and offensive action.
Dao Gong Demonstration
The Dao Gong is another remarkable martial art that the instructors demonstrated. It is a technique used to protect oneself and avoid injury while falling. Dao Gong training is one of the essential courses for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and the Chinese People’s Armed Police Force. Instructors showed various falling techniques such as forward fall, forward pounce, back fall, side fall, and so on, highlighting the indomitable and brave fighting style of the soldiers.
Shuai Qin Demonstration
This demonstration emphasized what skills are needed to defeat an enemy. The spectators were amazed by the fast movements, the hand-eye coordination and variety of leg locks and throws.
An interactive experience for students
Watching the display was not enough for many students who were eager to try out the martial art movements. Several junior and high school students interacted with the instructors and engaged in an immersive experience of training. Their participation served to enhance their understanding and appreciation of the soldiers’ spirit.
Before the flag-raising ceremony ended, an inspiring speech was given by Co-Principal Dr. Adam Neufield and Assistant Principal Mrs. Helen Liu. The speech challenged students with thought provoking questions. Overall, the flag-raising ceremony was a powerful display of military prowess – it conjured up a strong sense of nationalistic pride and reminded us how important national defense education is for protecting our country.