Lion Rock Spirit

[3] Despite the widespread popularity of the series and song, the "Lion Rock Spirit" only became a symbol of fortitude ingrained in the collective consciousness of Hong Kong people in 2002, when it was referenced by the city's financial secretary, Antony Leung, in his announcement of the government's budget plan.

The series itself is named after the Lion Rock, a mountain which has become symbolic of Hong Kong's growth as it overlooks Kowloon's densely-populated working-class districts, including Wong Tai Sin, Tsz Wan San, and Wang Tau Hom.

As Hong Kong's population tripled from about 600,000 to more than 2 million, causing a severe housing shortage, many of these refugees settled in squatter communities around areas on the Kowloon hillsides.

[3] Hong Kong in the 1970s is also characterised by rapid economic development and expansion, attributed to the surge in labour force and the hard-working attitudes of the immigrants who aimed to improve their living standards.

[2][3] The show featured true-to-life characters like street hawkers, civil servants, reporters, and firemen; and tackled sociopolitical issues like corruption, drugs, gambling addiction, struggles of ex-cons and of the disabled; resonating with the oppressed and the working class.

[1] The series highlighted their commonly shared core values, named the "Lion Rock Spirit",[9][verification needed] which has been described by public broadcaster RTHK as "perseverance and solidarity" (Chinese: 逆境自存，群策群力).

[11] The song Below the Lion Rock is considered an unofficial anthem of Hong Kong, and its lyrics have been referred to by other politicians to raise the city's morale and in numerous festive events.

[13] By upholding solidarity and perseverance of "Lion Rock Spirit", HongKongers are empowered with the collective strength to conquer traumatic events like the Asian financial crisis in 1997, and SARS epidemic in 2003.

More young people assembled together to join protests and public consultations on issues like moral and national education,[16] the amendments in housing policies[17] and democratic reform for genuine universal suffrage in the legislative and executive positions.

[8] The "Lion Rock Spirit" has been redefined by the new generation through integrating the traditionally shared values of solidarity and perseverance to strive for upward social mobility and economic advancement, with the recent socio-political context in fighting for a just and fair society.