The mainland's Paris Olympians are warmly welcomed in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on August 29, 2024, as they kicked off a three-day visit to the region. Photo: VCG

Last week, residents in Hong Kong had good reason to feel thrilled. A 65-strong delegation, including 59 gold medalists from the Paris Olympic Games, made a three-day trip to the city, in which the sports superstars put on spectacular sporting displays and interacted with the locals. The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post used the terms "happiness" and "appreciation" to mark this visit. 

The warm welcome the mainland Olympians received from Hong Kong residents was proved by the fact that over 5,000 tickets for all three events were sold out in around half an hour after going on sale. Those in attendance not only saw the elegant demeanor and sporting skills of these Olympians, but also listened to the experiences of their success story. 

When a crowd of Hong Kong youth asked diving queen Quan Hongchan how long it took her to master the "water splash disappearance technique," she answered, "During the years of training, there were times when I wanted to give up, but every time I thought, I have persisted until now, why not hold on?" Equally inspirational are the stories of butterfly queen Zhang Yufei, record-breaking swimmer Pan Zhanle, weightlifter Li Wenwen and table tennis pair Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin. 

It is this perseverance that drove mainland Olympians to march forward and make history. This perseverance is also the spirit of the whole Chinese nation that drives the country to strive for prosperity and modernization. If anybody, any city or any country should have such a quality, the "Lion Rock Spirit" embedded in Hongkongers is exactly why they could resonate with the Olympic team.

The "Lion Rock Spirit," which emerged during the 1970s, refers to the "can-do" attitude, dexterity, resilience and solidarity - qualities that have enabled the city to overcome numerous difficulties. This spirit coincides with the Olympic spirit of not only the mainland team, but also that of the Hong Kong team. No wonder when Chief Executive of Hong Kong John Lee Ka-chiu welcomed the mainland Olympic team, he said, "We are a family."

As I followed the news of the mainland Olympic team's tour in Hong Kong and felt the happy and passionate atmosphere in Hong Kong society from afar, I could sense how much Hongkongers love sports and their care for their Chinese compatriots. Also, and more importantly, I could sense their patriotic sentiment and pride of the country. This sentiment is magnifying, after Hong Kong has experienced ups and downs in the past few years. 

I have this feeling because I am one of those who witnessed Hong Kong walk out of the darkness. In the summer of 2019, I was assigned by my newspaper to report on the riots in Hong Kong. It was clear to me how Western forces exploited that chance to contain China regardless of the stability of Hong Kong. I also witnessed how violence and riots tore the city apart, and how the central government carried out measures to help Hong Kong stop the violence and resume public order. Hongkongers have realized that Hong Kong's future rests upon the future of China, and they also have had a stronger sense of national identity.

The Olympics can always ignite the sense of national identity of Hongkongers. During the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, there was a surge of national identity among Hongkongers. The performance of mainland sports stars in this year's Paris Olympic Games once again made them see the relaxed but determined mind of these athletes, backed by an ever growing and powerful country. With their tour in Hong Kong, their spirit encourages Hongkongers to actively integrate into the development of the country.

As world's top-ranked female table tennis player Sun Yingsha visited Hong Kong Metropolitan University on Saturday, she said, "The moment I put on the national team jersey, I realized the national flag on the chest is always greater than the name on the back. If hearing your name represents honor, then the national flag represents a responsibility, a mission that is worth everything we need to defend and fight for."

Who, no matter from the mainland or Hong Kong, will not be touched by such inspiring words? 

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. [email protected]