The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, together with more than 100 secondary students and teachers joining the first "Mainland Study Tour for the Three Gorges Culture and Urban Development in Chongqing" of the senior secondary subject of Citizenship and Social Development (CS) in 2025/26, attended the kick-off ceremony of the tour in Chongqing today (October 14).

     Addressing the ceremony, Dr Choi said that since April 2023, with the assistance of various Mainland provinces and municipalities, the Education Bureau (EDB) has arranged for more than 140 000 students to participate in the CS Mainland study tours. She expressed hope that these "classrooms on the move" will inspire students' curiosity, enabling them to constantly explore new knowledge and reflect on what they have learned through immersive learning experiences.

     She thanked the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Ministry of Education, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the Chongqing Municipal Education Commission for their thoughtful arrangements, enabling students to gain a deeper understanding of Chongqing's urban development. Students were also offered an opportunity to visit wartime relics in this year of the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, commemorating the fallen heroes in defence of the nation and reflecting on the importance of peace.

     At the same time, Dr Choi signed a Memorandum of Understanding on education co-operation between Chongqing and Hong Kong with representatives of the Chongqing Municipal Education Commission. She also witnessed the pairing up of Clementi Secondary School and Chongqing Yucai Secondary School as sister schools.

     Yesterday (October 13) and today, Dr Choi and the delegation watched "Chongqing 1949", a historical drama, and visited the Chongqing Historic Sites Museum of the War of Resistance Against Japan to learn more about wartime history.

     To optimise the learning outcomes of the CS Mainland study tours, the EDB held a seminar on the tours in the morning with representatives from all the 11 participating provinces and cities to summarise work experiences and strengthen collaboration and exchanges. At the seminar, representatives from participating provinces and cities were enthusiastic to share their experiences and views, helping enrich the content of future study tours and provide students with excellent learning experiences.

     Yesterday and today, Dr Choi visited Chongqing University and Chongqing Jiaotong University respectively. She said that higher education institutions in Hong Kong and Chongqing have been conducting professional exchanges through various means. Co-operation covers talent cultivation, student admissions and employment, and scientific research. The EDB will continue to support exchanges and co-operation between higher education institutions in the two places to nurture talent for the country's development.

     Dr Choi also met with Hong Kong students in Chongqing to learn about their studies and daily life. She said that Hong Kong students living in Chongqing have the opportunities to gain more in-depth knowledge about the country's developments and cultivate affection for the country. She encouraged them to seize the learning opportunities and contribute to the country's high-quality development.

     Dr Choi met representatives of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the Ministry of Education, and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government over two days to exchange views on strengthening education collaboration between Mainland and Hong Kong, as well as Chongqing and Hong Kong.

     Dr Choi will depart for Chengdu, Sichuan, tomorrow (October 15) to continue her visit. The delegation will tour other spots in Chongqing to understand the local history, culture and urban development.

Ends/Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:45

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