'Flag Raising To Shift Only If Weather Is Bad'

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung said on Friday that the flag raising ceremony on July 1 may be shifted indoors if bad weather warrants the move.

But the number two official said the ceremony – held annually to celebrate the handover of Hong Kong back to China by the British – is, as of now, scheduled to go on as usual, despite online calls by some anti-extradition protesters to disrupt the proceedings.

Officials have already scaled back the event and decided not to invite youth and uniformed groups this year.

The annual ceremony is usually held in the open air at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and is attended by top officials, diplomats and VIPs.

But Chief Executive Carrie Lam has not made a public appearance for ten days and many officials have stayed away from public events as the protesters continue their action to press their demands.

An array of official functions have been cancelled, leading to both backers and opponents of the administration saying the government is now paralysed.

But Cheung denied this and said the government is functioning normally.

He said he has been in constant communication with the Chief Executive.