Hong Kong Education Delegation Visits Beijing for National Day Exchange and Cultural Insight

US(Ed) leads Hong Kong education sector to call on state leader and officials of Ministry of Education

The Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, led the 16th National Day and Professional Exchange Delegation from the Hong Kong Education Sector to visit Beijing today (September 27) to call on a state leader and officials of the Ministry of Education.

Mr Sze and the delegation were received and welcomed by the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, Mr Peng Qinghua, at the Great Hall of the People. They then met the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education, Mr Wang Jiayi. Mr Sze said that it was particularly meaningful to visit Beijing with representatives from the education sector before the National Day and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China together with the people of the capital. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Department of Education of Liaoning Province and various Mainland units for their full support, facilitating the smooth conduct of the exchange programme.

Mr Sze said that the Education Bureau has been promoting national education through a "multipronged and co-ordinated" approach, encouraging whole school participation within and beyond the classroom. The exchange programme has deepened the education sector's understanding of the history, culture and education development of the motherland, and broadened their professional horizons through on-site studies and professional exchanges, helping them further promote patriotic education, spread patriotic values, and strengthen students' identification with the country and Chinese culture.

This year, the delegation comprised over 130 participants from the education sector, including representatives from tertiary institutions and professional education organisations, as well as principals and vice-principals from primary and secondary schools and kindergartens. The delegation began its visit on September 23. Members toured schools in Shenyang and Beijing to observe lessons and interact with teachers and students. They also visited the "918" Historical Museum, the Museum of the Communist Party of China and the Shijingshan Planning Exhibition Hall to learn about the history, culture and urban planning of the country.

​Tomorrow morning (September 28), Mr Sze and the delegation will observe the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square. They will conclude their visit and return to Hong Kong in the afternoon.

US(Ed) leads Hong Kong education sector to call on state leader and officials of Ministry of Education Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

US(Ed) leads Hong Kong education sector to call on state leader and officials of Ministry of Education Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

US(Ed) leads Hong Kong education sector to call on state leader and officials of Ministry of Education Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

US(Ed) leads Hong Kong education sector to call on state leader and officials of Ministry of Education Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

National Day Fireworks Display to be held at 9pm on October 1

The National Day Fireworks Display will light up the sky over Victoria Harbour at 9pm on October 1 (Tuesday) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

A total of 31 888 firing shells will be discharged from three barges and six pontoons in an approximately 23-minute extravaganza. The event is co-ordinated by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, and is sponsored by the Hong Kong Chinese Importers & Exporters' Association.

The theme for this year's fireworks display is "Splendid fireworks shining over a prosperous China". The fireworks display will be divided into eight scenes, each with its own characteristics. Highlights include the first scene, "75th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China", which will lift the curtain on the display with images of red five-pointed stars and purple five-petal flowers. The sixth scene, "The Legend of Pandas", mainly featuring the green colour, shows images of pandas' favourite food such as bamboo leaves to express the citywide welcome for their arrival. The seventh scene "Auspicious Treasures" showcases different kinds of ring-shaped fireworks, symbolising the strong bonds and perfect harmony among the various ethnic groups in China. The fireworks display will reach its climax in the last scene, "The Magnificent Scenes of China", with flourishes of "Chinese Red", "Big Whistle" and "Gorgeous Golden Crown" images showering blessings to all, wishing continued prosperity for the nation and peaceful lives for the people.

To offer audiences a new experience, for the first time a drone session will be staged before the National Day Fireworks Display as a prelude.

(Note: The staging of the drone session will depend on factors such as weather conditions that night).

The display can be seen from many vantage points on both sides of the harbour including Tsim Sha Tsui, the Mid-Levels, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and the Hung Hom Bypass.

To present the fireworks display in a more enjoyable way, viewers are invited to tune into Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 4 (FM 97.6 to 98.9) for synchronised music.

To facilitate police implementation of special crowd management measures in the Tsim Sha Tsui area for the fireworks display, both the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Space Museum will be closed earlier at 6pm on October 1.

Citizens are urged to help keep public areas clean and to show respect for public property. They are also urged to show consideration to others to make the event a safe one.

National Day Fireworks Display to be held at 9pm on October 1 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

National Day Fireworks Display to be held at 9pm on October 1 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

National Day Fireworks Display to be held at 9pm on October 1 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases