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The Secretary for Education (SED), Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, will depart for Beijing tomorrow (June 29), leading more than 600 senior secondary school students and teachers to participate in a five-day exchange programme on the Mainland.
To celebrate the 65th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Passing on the Torch Platform, this year the Education Bureau (EDB) has selected the exploration of culture, economic and technology development as the main theme in organising a series of visits and exchange activities in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai for students and teachers to see for themselves the cultural heritage, latest developments, and challenges and opportunities on the Mainland.
The exchange programme will provide over 20 activities including exchanges with students and teachers at universities; visits to enterprises, museums, a cultural centre, an art zone, and leading economic development zones like the Binhai New Area in Tianjin as well as the finance and trade zone in Pudong. Thematic talks will also be offered to allow participants to look into the latest developments of the Mainland in various aspects, such as the Pilot Free Trade Zone in Shanghai.
The participants will attend the Flag Raising Ceremony at Tiananmen Square on July 1 for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day, followed by a visit to the Great Hall of the People.
An EDB spokesman said, "With culture, economic and technology development as the main theme, the exchange programme is aimed at broadening students' horizons through related learning activities. Through interaction, participating students could not only have a better understanding of their nation and its situation, but also serve as student ambassadors to introduce Hong Kong to their Mainland peers.
"Participation in the exchange programme is on a voluntary basis. Participating schools have to deploy teacher(s) to serve as impartial facilitator(s) for students' learning and independent analysis from multiple perspectives. Upon their return to Hong Kong, the Bureau will organise sharing sessions for the students to reflect on their learning outcomes."
During his stay in Beijing, Mr Ng will pay a courtesy call on the Ministry of Education and meet with some Hong Kong students and businessmen to learn about their daily life there.
Officials accompanying Mr Ng will include the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary for Education, Mr Kenneth Cheng, and Principal Education Officer, Mr Mau Tung-shing. They will return to Hong Kong on July 3. During Mr Ng's absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, will be the Acting SED.
Ends/Saturday, June 28, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:01
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