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A delegation of 2,500 students and teachers participating in the Education Bureau's "Passing on the Torch: Exploring and Embracing Chinese Culture" National Education Exchange Programme: Tracing Our Origin in Ancient Cities was received by State Councillor, Madam Liu Yandong, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today (February 1).
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, also chief leader of the delegation, thanked Madam Liu for her reception of the delegation and her warm address to its members.
Talking about the "Passing on the Torch" mega project, Mr Tang said, "On June 30, 2007, the eve of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, while visiting Hong Kong, President Hu Jintao earnestly advised us to put more emphasis on national education for the youth in Hong Kong and promote exchanges between them and the young people of the Mainland so that they will carry forward the Hong Kong people's great tradition of loving the motherland and loving Hong Kong."
Mr Tang said the HKSAR Government, under the leadership of the Chief Executive, accorded high priority to the matter and had set up the "Passing on the Torch" platform in January 2009. The platform is a joint effort between the Education Bureau and social organisations to encourage and help young people to better understand and love their country. More than 40 programmes, with about 41,000 participants, have been organised under the platform during the past year.
"By launching this mega exchange programme today, we aim to offer Hong Kong's young people more opportunities to learn about China's history and culture, trace our origin, and be proud of being Chinese," he said.
"Young people are the future of Hong Kong and our country. I am sure the exchange programme will enlighten them on our country's glorious history and rich culture. It will also help them foster positive values and cultivate their sense of belonging to the country."
Mr Tang thanked the Ministry of Education, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Health, relevant authorities of the cities to be visited by the delegations, and the executive chairpersons of the "Passing On the Torch" National Education Activity Series platform for their staunch support for this exchange programme.
The delegation, also led by the Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen, also will be going to five other ancient Chinese cities - Shanghai, Tianjin, Nanjing, Xian and Zhengzhou - for a taste of local cultural and heritage sites, renowned academic institutions and research institutes, museums and big corporations.
Members of the delegation attended a seminar in Beijing this morning on China's foreign relations and its role and influence on regional affairs, as well as the opportunities and challenges currently faced by our country.
The delegation then visited the Palace Museum in the capital city to understand the nation's ancient imperial system. The museum is a precious cultural heritage with more than 1.5 million collectables ranging from calligraphy, painting and, ceramics to palace antiques and books. These exhibits were an eye-opener for students and teachers on the nation's rich history and art.
Mr Tang met some of the delegation members at the Palace Museum to exchange views on the programme. He encouraged them to make full use of the visit to better understand the motherland and contribute to the development of the country and Hong Kong.
Members of the delegation will continue their exchange programme tomorrow (February 2) with five groups proceeding to Shanghai, Tianjin, Nanjing, Xian and Zhengzhou and one group remaining in Beijing.
The Secretary for Education will lead 250 teachers and students to visit Zhengzhou and call on municipal officials. The delegation will also meet teachers and students of local institutions, and tour historical sites including the Yellow River, relics from the reign of Emperor Xuan Yuan and the Henan Museum.
The "Passing on the Torch: Exploring and Embracing Chinese Culture" National Education Exchange Programme: Tracing Our Origin in Ancient Cities is one of the Education Bureau's major projects to commemorate the first anniversary of a platform providing national education-related learning experiences.
The programme has the largest number of participating students and teachers visiting the Mainland since the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and covers the greatest number of cities during a single trip.
Ends/Monday, February 1, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:00
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