PolyU and Guangdong University of Technology students collaborate for the Hong Kong premiere of “The Legacy of Youth”, celebrating 60th anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong and to nurture a strong sense of national pride among young people, a series of events hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Guangdong University of Technology (GDUT), and co-organised by the Federation of Hong Kong Guangdong Community Organisations and Bauhinia Magazine were held on 9 and 10 July. Highlights include the Hong Kong premiere of the “Original Stage Production: The Legacy of Youth”, jointly performed by students from GDUT and PolyU, as well as an exhibition for visitors to explore the remarkable history of the Dongjiang Water Supply Project. The two-day performance drew over 1,000 attendees—including government officials, business and community leaders, faculty members, students, and alumni from both universities, as well as members of the public—all of whom were inspired by the extraordinary stories of the Project’s builders.

“The Legacy of Youth” was presented at the PolyU Jockey Club Auditorium, featuring a preview on 9 July and the official premiere on 10 July. The opening ceremony for the premiere held today was officiated by Mr LIU Guangyuan, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (LOCPG); Ms Bernadette LINN Hon-ho, Secretary for Development of the HKSAR Government; Ms Alice MAK Mei-kuen, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs; Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. QIU Xueqing, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee and President of GDUT; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Ms ZHU Weiwei, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of GDUT; Mr ZHANG Zhihua, Deputy Director and Inspector at Level 1 of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Guangdong Province; Mr MENG Fan, Inspector at Level 1 of the Water Resources Department of Guangdong Province; Mr NG Wah Kong, Member of CPPCC, Executive Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Federation of Hong Kong Guangdong Community Organisations; Mr HUANG Xiaohua, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Bauhinia Magazine; and Mr Roger WONG Yan-lok, Director of Water Supplies in the HKSAR Government.

Ms Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said, “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the creative teams from PolyU and GDUT for this original stage production. By blending innovative stage technology, they have vividly brought to life the stirring history of the Dongjiang Water Supply Project, allowing audiences to witness this remarkable chapter.

This production reawakens in us the timeless wisdom of remembering the source when drinking water, helping Hong Kong citizens appreciate the Nation’s unwavering care and support. It also honours the countless unsung heroes whose tireless efforts—their sweat and sacrifice—alleviated hardships for their fellow Hong Kong compatriots. May this story inspire generations of young people to carry forward the same spirit of dedication and mission that drove those students who contributed to this project, empowering them to play their part in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”

Dr Lam Tai-fai said, “The Dongjiang water supply is vital to Hong Kong’s development and the well-being of its residents. Modern Hong Kong owes its existence to this crucial resource—a fact every Hong Kong citizen should hold dear. The Dongjiang Water Supply Project transcends its role as a hydraulic engineering endeavour. It stands as a testament to solidarity in times of adversity, embodying the profound unity and shared heritage of the people from both regions. More than infrastructure, it reflects the Nation’s enduring spirit of overcoming challenges together. Moving forward, PolyU and GDUT will deepen collaboration across diverse fields, jointly nurturing talent to contribute to the Nation’s development.

PolyU has always been committed to fostering in our students a strong sense of national pride, valuing their ability and integrity, with morality as the foundation. ‘The Legacy of Youth’, a highlight of this year’s PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, exemplifies this commitment. I look forward to all sectors joining hands to guide our younger generation in making the most of their talents, empowering them to contribute to the Nation’s development and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”

Prof. Qiu Xueqing remarked, “The Legacy of Youth recreates the remarkable feat achieved by teachers and students of GDUT in the 1960s during the construction of the Dongjiang Water Supply Project. This vital initiative safeguarded the well-being of our Hong Kong compatriots. This stage drama engraves those extraordinary years in our minds, strengthens the bonds between Guangdong and Hong Kong, and passes down the enduring ‘Dongshen Spirit’ through the generations. It also fosters patriotism and national pride within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) community, inspiring youth to contribute to national development.

Looking ahead, GDUT will, like the ever-flowing Dongjiang, deepen Guangdong-Hong Kong collaboration. We will cultivate talents with a profound sense of national pride and a global perspective, harnessing the strength of the University to contribute to the Nation’s development and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”

Committed to promoting Chinese culture, PolyU last year launched the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival to celebrate the rich value and diversity of Chinese culture through various artistic themes and forms. The Festival aims to deepen appreciation of Chinese heritage and strengthen a strong sense of national pride and belonging to the Nation among faculty members, students and the wider community. As part of this year’s Festival, “The Legacy of Youth” highlights the Nation’s commitment to the well-being of Hong Kong residents. This stage drama has been included in the commemorative activities to mark the 60th anniversary of the Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong by the Guangdong Province and the HKSAR Government, and has received commendation from the Ministry of Education.

Centred around the theme of “Role Model of the Times”, the script is inspired by the real-life builders of the Dongjiang Water Supply Project and recounts heart-stirring stories of university students from mainland China in the 1960s who answered the Nation’s call and devoted themselves to the construction of the Project. The stage drama unfolds across four distinct chapters: Declaration of Youth, Symphony of Youth, Test of Youth and Pursuit of Youth. Told from the perspective of a Project builder who is also a GDUT alumnus, the narrative moves fluidly between past, present and future, highlighting the passionate aspirations of young people dedicating themselves to national development. Notably, the production marks the debut of Cantonese dialogue in the drama and showcases the participation of university students from GBA in the Project.

“The Legacy of Youth” is inspired by the real-life builders of the Dongjiang Water Supply Project, recounting heart-stirring stories of university students from mainland China in the 1960s who answered the Nation’s call and devoted themselves to the construction of the Project.

The climax of the stage drama comes in the third chapter, “Test of Youth,” which recreates the heroic actions of the Project builders during the 1964 battle against devastating storms and floods. Risking and even sacrificing their lives, the builders successfully completed the critical tasks of floodgate discharge to ensure the safety of the Project. Faculty members, students, and alumni from the PolyU Choir, together with GDUT students, performed the theme song “Mountains and Rivers,” conveying the builders’ fearless and selfless spirit. Their moving performance was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

PolyU Choir and GDTU students perform the theme song “Mountains and Rivers,” conveying the builders’ fearless and selfless spirit.

At the same time, an exhibition commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong was held at the podium of the PolyU Jockey Club Auditorium. Through a curated exhibition of precious historical photos, the display chronicled the Project’s origins, construction milestones, historical impact, and latest developments—deepening visitors’ understanding of the profound connection and enduring friendship between mainland China and Hong Kong.

The exhibition commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong chronicled the Project’s origins, construction milestones, historical impact, and latest developments through a curated exhibition of precious historical photos.

This series of events seeks to strengthen cultural exchange between mainland China and Hong Kong, foster mutual understanding among young students from both regions, pass on the “Dongshen spirit”, enhance patriotic education, and inspire young people to actively contribute to GBA’s development and the Nation’s modernisation efforts.

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