PATRIOTISM is all very well. But with the district council elections only a month away, it seems there are more important priorities for the party fielding the most candidates.
A 2,800-strong Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) parade through Tsim Sha Tsui on Friday saw the party's flags outnumber China's red five-stars, even though the event was ostensibly being held in honour of National Day.
The sea of party flags, together with those bearing the names of the group's 16 regional offices, were larger and more prominent than the smaller number of national flags on display.
Just in case anyone failed to get the message, umbrellas bearing the DAB logo were swirled in the air, while many participants were dressed in yellow T-shirts bearing the party logo.
Party chairman Tsang Yok-sing denied the parade was just a publicity stunt to boost the party's profile in the run-up to November's elections. But there was also a more serious side to his denial.
The parade is estimated to have cost about $100,000. And by insisting it is nothing to do with the polls, the party can avoid having the sum added to its election expenses.