The 2024 Hong Kong Patriotic Education Forum was held on Saturday at the Convention and Exhibition Centre of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), with a focus on successful development of China's space industry over recent years.
Themed on promoting the spirit of scientists and cultivating talent for the new era, this year's event seeks to enhance Hong Kong youth's understanding of the national scientific and technological development, thereby contributing to Hong Kong's establishment as an international innovation and technology hub and supporting China's efforts to build itself into a technological powerhouse.
The event also saw the launch of an aerospace science education base in the region. To mark this occasion, Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut in space, delivered a video message to ignite Hong Kong students' interests and passion for the country's space programs and achievements.
"Patriotic education should start from a young age. The establishment of the aerospace science education base here in Hong Kong is intended to showcase the development of our country's space industry, allowing students in the region to learn about China's major achievements in aerospace technology. This fosters a sense of national identity and reinforces their love for the country, for Hong Kong and their community. Therefore, I think this event is of great significance," said Gu Minkang, associate co-director of the Academy for Applied Policy Studies and Education Futures at the Education University of Hong Kong.
As the first large-scale forum focused on patriotic education held in the HKSAR since its return to the motherland in 1997, the four-year-old Hong Kong Patriotic Education Forum aims to promote the high-quality development of patriotic education and enhance the patriotic spirit among young people in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong holds patriotic education forum to foster youth's understanding of national scientific advancements
With over a million followers on social media, French influencer Greg is dedicated to showcasing modern life and culture in China, inviting viewers to experience the country firsthand.
Currently based in Shanghai, Greg leverages his platform to share everything from delectable Chinese cuisine to popular trends, often featuring creative videos such as "Living a day in Shanghai on 100 yuan" and "How many Chinese cities can you visit in a day?"
Greg's connection to China dates back 16 years to when he was a 25-year-old student at a university in France. As graduation approached, he had the opportunity to study abroad and chose China among various options. Upon arriving in China, he quickly envisioned a future in the country and became determined to secure a steady job.
His journey took a significant turn during the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, where he worked as a translator for several travel agencies. His outstanding performance during the event led to an opportunity with a multinational wine trading company, where he served as the marketing director.
"Being a foreigner who speaks Chinese opened up numerous job opportunities for me. Every day has felt like a new adventure. Each day has felt different, and I was discovering new things every day. Even now, in 2024, I still feel this way," he said.
Initially, Greg produced informative videos in his spare time while working in the wine industry. His strong desire for self-expression and creativity attracted a significant following, fueling his inspiration for more content.
"I focus on creating optimistic videos. Because in my mind, China is a place full of optimism and happiness. You can experience anything you want here. You just need to create your own opportunities. I really like this kind of life," he said.
In 2022, after 12 years in the wine industry, he transitioned to full-time content creation. This shift was motivated by his love for the profession and a realization he had during a visit to France two years prior, where he discovered a widespread lack of understanding about China.
"I often complain about how inconvenient things are in France. For example, every time I go out, I forget my wallet, but in China, we don't need a wallet. Everything can be done through our phones. When we want to go shopping in France, we have to line up at the checkout and take all the stuff back home all by ourselves. I told my French countrymates, 'You know what? In China, people can use apps to order takeout, and it can be delivered within half an hour,'" he said.
Greg has made it his mission to create videos that highlight the aspects of China he loves, sharing these stories with audiences in France and around the world.
"People in France like China a lot now because of the videos I post," he said proudly.
He also emphasizes the need for a real-life experience to truly understand China.
"Watching videos is not enough. You have to come and see for yourself. Five hundred videos are nothing when compared to spending just 24 hours in Shanghai. It's only when you experience that you'll truly understand what China is all about. I wholeheartedly invite everyone to visit China, and I hope my videos inspire them to do that," he said.
French influencer promotes China's allure through social media
