Hong Kong cadet groups switch from British military drills to Chinese goose stepping at May Fourth event in Wan Chai – but who gave the marching orders?
- Groups say the switch to PLA-style marching is unprecedented
- Some uniformed youth groups abandon traditional marching style
At least four of the 16 cadet groups at the Golden Bauhinia Square event broke with tradition and marched in the familiar Chinese manner, including goose stepping. The groups said it was the first time they had switched from the British marching style since the ceremony started in 2006.
The event was attended by 2,000 spectators as well as Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Wang Zhimin, the director of Beijing’s liaison office in the city.
The change came after one of the main organisers, the pro-Beijing organisers Committee of Youth Activities, sent a notice in March suggesting that the cadet groups use the Chinese drills to “show respect to China”. This year’s May Fourth anniversary happened to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.
The organiser’s had also arranged a training session for several of the groups last month at the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) barracks in Fanling.
The suggestion to change the British marching drills was a tough transition, some of the youth groups said. Some were unable to decide which style to perform until the last minute, and others chose to send an extra squad so they could demonstrate both styles.