Xu Bing Launches Square Word Calligraphy Exhibition in Hong Kong, Promoting Cultural Fusion and Artistic Engagement.

World-renowned artist Xu Bing's signature work "Square Word Calligraphy Classroom" set to debut in Hong Kong

Renowned artist Xu Bing was appointed in March 2024 as Hong Kong's Ambassador for Cultural Promotion. His inaugural commissioning art initiative showcasing his signature work, Square Word Calligraphy, will be launched at the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) starting from tomorrow (March 26). The exhibition gallery will be transformed into a creative classroom incorporating Hong Kong's unique linguistic features to present the "Special Edition for Hong Kong" Square Word Calligraphy. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will also collaborate with MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) to display Xu's newest calligraphy works at four MTR stations: Sheung Wan, Admiralty, Exhibition Centre, and Wan Chai.

Xu Bing is internationally recognised as one of the most innovative and influential contemporary artists. Square Word Calligraphy is his created writing form that started in 1993 - English is written to resemble Chinese characters. This unique writing system highlights the diversity and integration of Eastern and Western cultures, aligning with the essence of Hong Kong's East-meets-West characteristics. Transforming the exhibition space into an interactive classroom, the art installation "Square Word Calligraphy Classroom" created by Xu has been exhibited worldwide, guiding audiences from different cultural backgrounds to learn and write Square Words, enjoy the fun of traditional Chinese art, and expand creativity through switching between languages.

"Square Word Calligraphy Classroom" is set to debut in Hong Kong. Xu has specially incorporated Hong Kong's unique linguistic features, such as greetings and idioms, in the "Eying East, Wondering West - Square Word Calligraphy Classroom" exhibition at the HKMoA. This enriches the meaning and interpretation of Square Word Calligraphy, opening new avenues for cross-cultural and cross-language communication.

The exhibition invites audiences to explore Square Word Calligraphy from three perspectives: appreciation, learning, and application. In addition to showcasing new Square Word Calligraphy works, the classroom at the HKMoA includes writing tools and copybooks for learning and attempting this special writing system. With digital technology, audiences can apply what they have learned by creating words with Square Word Calligraphy. The exhibition will run from March 26 to July 30 at The Wing (Lower), G/F, HKMoA, and will move to the Oil Street Art Space in North Point from September 29 to January 11 next year. Admission is free.

Apart from the exhibition at museums, the LCSD also collaborates with MTRCL to present "Loping and Looking - Art in MTR", which will display Xu's new creations at four MTR stations from March 26 to September 25. Xu will initiate dialogues with the public by writing the greeting "Long time no see", presented in the form of Square Word Calligraphy, at Sheung Wan Station and present the station names of Admiralty, Exhibition Centre, and Wan Chai with his new writing system, integrating art into the passenger journey. This also marks the first global display of Xu Bing's creations in public transportation spaces.

For details of the exhibition, please visit the HKMoA's website (hk.art.museum/en/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/eying-east-wondering-west.html). For information on the "Xu Bing in Hong Kong: Square Word Calligraphy" art initiative, please visit the Art Promotion Office's website (www.apo.hk/en/web/apo/hk_xb.html).

World-renowned artist Xu Bing's signature work "Square Word Calligraphy Classroom" set to debut in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

World-renowned artist Xu Bing's signature work "Square Word Calligraphy Classroom" set to debut in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

World-renowned artist Xu Bing's signature work "Square Word Calligraphy Classroom" set to debut in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

World-renowned artist Xu Bing's signature work "Square Word Calligraphy Classroom" set to debut in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

World-renowned artist Xu Bing's signature work "Square Word Calligraphy Classroom" set to debut in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

World-renowned artist Xu Bing's signature work "Square Word Calligraphy Classroom" set to debut in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

World-renowned artist Xu Bing's signature work "Square Word Calligraphy Classroom" set to debut in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

World-renowned artist Xu Bing's signature work "Square Word Calligraphy Classroom" set to debut in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025

​The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, led a delegation of Hong Kong principals and education experts to attend the International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 in Reykjavík, Iceland, on March 25 (Reykjavík time) to discuss the latest trends in global education development with representatives from other regions. She also took the opportunity to promotethe advantages of Hong Kong as an international post-secondary education hub.

The Summit was co-organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Education International, the Ministry of Education and Children of Iceland, and the Icelandic Teachers' Union. Under the theme "Quality Education: The Key to Prosperity and Well-being", the Summit this year brought together education ministers, teacher leaders and education experts from around the world to exchange views on the promotion of quality early childhood education, the provision of inclusive and supportive learning environments, and a child-centred education system.

Speaking at the session on kindergarten education of the Summit, Dr Choi said that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has implemented the Kindergarten Education Scheme since the 2017/18 school year to provide quality and highly affordable kindergarten education that meets the diverse needs of students. At present, among these kindergartens in Hong Kong, about 90 per cent of the half-day programmes are free of charge, while fees for whole-day programmes are maintained at a low level. The Scheme also enhances kindergarten education on various fronts, including upgrading teachers' professional qualifications, improving the teacher-student ratio, and supporting teachers' continuous professional development.

During the Summit, Dr Choi also met the Minister for Education, Training and Skills of South Australia, Mr Blair Boyer, to explore ways to promote education exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Australia, including introducing the various measures taken by the HKSAR Government to achieve a highly internationalised higher education sector in Hong Kong, and to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

On March 24 (Reykjavík time), Dr Choi attended a seminar of the Summit on exploring the frontiers of artificial intelligence in education with representatives from other regions. Speaking at the seminar, she said that, in line with the worldwide trend and the national direction of developing digital education, and to nurture innovation and technology (I&T) talent, the HKSAR Government will continue to promote digital education with a view to facilitating the use of I&T in empowering education, and enhancing students' digital literacy and skills.

She said that the relevant initiatives include setting up the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education to gather collective wisdom and insights on promoting digital transformation of school education in Hong Kong; strengthening relevant professional training for teachers; optimising digital education infrastructure of schools; bolstering ties between local, Mainland or international I&T institutions and tertiary institutions; and organising the International Summit on the Use of AI in Learning and Teaching Languages and Other Subjects this year.

On the same day, Dr Choi met the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Children of Iceland, Ms Erna Kristín Blöndal, to discuss further education collaboration between Hong Kong and Iceland, and the latest developments in vocational and professional education and training (VPET). Dr Choi said that the HKSAR Government is committed to promoting VPET as a pathway parallel to conventional academic education, providing young people with quality, diversified, and multiple entry and exit pathways to further studies. The Government has been forging ahead with the development of universities of applied sciences, including allocating HK$100 million for the establishment of the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences to support post-secondary institutions to embark on joint promotion with the industries and stakeholders. She welcomed students from Iceland and other places to study in Hong Kong or participate in short-term student exchange programmes, and looked forward to further strengthening educational exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Iceland.

In addition, she visited a local primary school to learn about the features of Icelandic education. She also paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to Iceland, Mr He Rulong, to introduce Hong Kong's latest education policy.

Dr Choi will depart for Delhi, India, on March 27 (Delhi time) to attend the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education 2025 Conference and Exhibition.

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases