Beijing City International School (BCIS) is an international school with deep foundations in Chinese culture and a vast appreciation for its Chinese roots. We encourage all students to respect the diversity of Chinese culture, to learn the Chinese language, and value the unique charm of China. BCIS is home to students from 31 countries around the world, and as an international school we always attach importance to our connection with China, because no matter where we come from, whether we are citizens or visitors from afar, it is China that has brought us together. At BCIS, elements of Chinese culture, language, history, geography, and life are integrated into learning at all ages, and it is our hope that students from all over the world have the opportunity to get to know the depth and wealth of the Chinese civilization.

To mark the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, on Friday, September 27, 2019, BCIS held its first official flag raising ceremony on the main campus. This school-wide celebration saw students, teachers, employees and parents of the school participate in this ceremony to celebrate National Day and pay tribute to China.

Two primary school student representatives preside over the ceremony and kicked off proceedings with their introduction of this event. At the beginning of the event, Ms. Wang Yan, BCIS Chinese Director, delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of this occasion and announcing the official opening of the flag raising ceremony. The National Flag Team, composed of 11 middle school student volunteers, escorted the flag to the flagpole in perfect synchronization, accompanied by the music of "Ode to the Motherland". As the flag was attached the flagpole and began to be hoisted upwards, all those in attendance stood and watched as the flag rippled in the wind and the National Anthem of the People's Republic of China played out. Following the flag-raising ceremony, primary and secondary school chorus students sang their beautiful rendition of "Jasmine Flower" and "My Motherland and Me" to honor this occasion. To mark the closing of this event, Ms. Julie Lawton, BCIS Head of School, delivered a speech on the depth of BCIS' Chinese heritage and how the school holds this history close to its heart as it continues to grow and develop.

Chinese flags are visible around BCIS campuses both during standard school days and important national events and are held in high esteem by staff and students on and off campus as a symbol of China. To continue the success of this year's flag raising ceremony, the school will hold an annual flag-raising ceremony at the end of September to celebrate China's National Day, which will become a new BCIS tradition added to the school calendar.