The 'running man' of Hong Kong: celebrating patriotism with Chinese national flag

Upon reaching their intended destination, Leung felt a surge of inspiration. "Why not run 71 kilometers to mark the country's 71st birthday?" he thought, and then set off alone, taking a ferry across Victoria Harbor to continue his run on the other side.

Since then, Leung has run with the national flag 23 times, covering much of Hong Kong's diverse communities. Sometimes, he finds himself in the bustling tourist spots along Victoria Harbor, while at other times, he weaves through the vibrant chaos of Kowloon's Yau Ma Tei.

What started as a small group of runners has blossomed into a community event. Leung's journey has led him to organize numerous "flag runs," where he and fellow runners celebrate important anniversaries. Often, they gather in groups of 20 to 30, spanning all ages, united by the common goal of running to inspire.

In a particularly memorable encounter on July 1 this year, the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Leung spotted a fellow runner carrying both the national flag and the regional flag. In their conversation, Leung learned that this runner was a resident of Shenzhen who had specifically come to Hong Kong to celebrate the anniversary by running.

The shared sense of patriotism and unity touched Leung. "It felt like we were all celebrating together, like a family," he recalled.