STORY: Faces of China: Running with a national flag in Hong Kong
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Oct. 1, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:04
LOCATION: HONG KONG, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Leung Chi Sum in Hong Kong
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LEUNG CHI SUM, Resident in Hong Kong
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): LEUNG CHI SUM, Resident in Hong Kong
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): LEUNG CHI SUM, Resident in Hong Kong
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): LEUNG CHI SUM, Resident in Hong Kong

STORYLINE:

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LEUNG CHI SUM, Resident in Hong Kong
"I truly believe that one should stay humble in life, but express your patriotism proudly!"

In the bustling city of Hong Kong, 57-year-old Leung Chi Sum has found his calling in a spirited way -- running with the Chinese national flag.

As he dashes along the city's coastline, the five-star red flag billows behind him.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): LEUNG CHI SUM, Resident in Hong Kong
"I was born in 1967 in Hong Kong, and I'm a local native. I started running in 2010, and it has been 14 years since then."

Inspired by his mainland friends, Leung decided to carry a small hand-held national flag for the first time while running on National Day in 2020.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): LEUNG CHI SUM, Resident in Hong Kong
"I said that today (Oct. 1, 2020) was the country's 71st birthday, and at that time, I felt I was in my best physical state. So I thought, why not run 71 kilometers to mark the country's 71st birthday?"

Leung did run 71 km that day, completing the distance in more than 8 hours.

Since then, Leung has run with the national flag 23 times, covering much of Hong Kong's diverse communities.

Over the past four years, he has covered an impressive total of 1,012 kilometers while running with the national flag.

And gradually, 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.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): LEUNG CHI SUM, Resident in Hong Kong
"What I enjoy the most is not the landscape but the people I meet along the way.
My other goal is to do as much as I can and to honor my identity as a Chinese national. This is what drives me forward."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hong Kong, China.
(XHTV)