PolyU’s first patriotic education study tour concludes in Xi’an; Dr Lam Tai-fai encourages students and teachers to love the country with practical actions and strive to be responsible, valuable Chinese citizens
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)’s inaugural patriotic education study tour was held from 23 to 29 May in Xi’an and Yan’an, Shaanxi Province, concluding in Xi’an on 29 May. Led by Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman and Prof. CAO Jiannong, PolyU Vice President (Education), the seven-day tour brought together nearly 50 students and teachers for an immersive journey that extended learning beyond the classroom and onto the soil of the Motherland.
Through site visits, lectures, interactive exchanges and first-hand experiences, participants explored themes including the roots of Chinese civilisation, the inheritance of Revolutionary spirit, and the Nation’s advances in technological innovation. Students and teachers alike said the tour was eye-opening and deeply rewarding, and significantly strengthened their senses of identity, pride and belonging in relation to the country, the Chinese Nation and Chinese culture. Many described it as a precious and life-enriching learning experience.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr Lam Tai-fai encouraged students saying, “The Nation will prosper only when its young people thrive. Your future is inseparable from that of the country. I hope every one of you will become a participant in and contributor to building a strong nation, demonstrating patriotism through concrete actions, and strive to be a responsible and valuable Chinese citizen.”
PolyU is the first university in Hong Kong to establish patriotic education bases in both Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. The Xi’an base and the main base in Hong Kong were established in November 2025 and January 2026 respectively. This study tour was the first flagship activity launched following the co-establishment of the patriotic education base by PolyU and Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU), marking an important milestone in PolyU’s efforts to advance patriotic education. Through diversified and multi-dimensional initiatives, PolyU continues to deepen young people’s understanding of the country’s history, culture and development achievements, while nurturing patriotic young people with affection for both the country and Hong Kong, a global outlook, and a strong sense of social responsibility.
Shaanxi is one of the birthplaces of the Chinese Nation and Chinese civilisation and is also a historic cradle of China’s Revolution, as well as being a major hub of scientific and technological innovation. In Xi’an, PolyU students and teachers visited Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, the Xi’an City Wall and other historical and cultural landmarks, gaining first-hand appreciation of the depth and splendour of 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation.
Students visited historical and cultural heritage landmarks including the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum and the Xi’an City Wall, experiencing first-hand the profound heritage of Chinese civilisation.
At the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, participants took part in a solemn ancestral tribute ceremony in honour of the legendary ancestor of the Chinese Nation, Huang Di, reflecting on their roots and tracing the origins of Chinese civilisation. Students said that standing before the mausoleum gave them a much deeper understanding of their identity as descendants of Yan and Huang emperors and enabled them to feel more profoundly the enduring richness and continuity of Chinese culture, filling them with pride in being Chinese.
The tour also brought participants to the revolutionary homeland of Yan’an, where they visited the Yangjialing Revolutionary Site, Baota Mountain and the former site of the Lu Xun College of Art. They also watched the large-scale immersive theatrical production “Back to Yan’an”. These experiences gave them a vivid and in-depth understanding of the values embodied in the Yan’an Spirit—unwavering conviction, self-reliance, perseverance through hardship and wholehearted dedication to serving the people. Students described the experience as a vivid lesson in National education that deepened their understanding of the responsibilities of the younger generation to serve society and contribute to the country.
The study tour group visited iconic revolutionary landmarks including the Yangjialing Revolutionary Site, Baota Mountain and the former site of the Lu Xun College of Art, revisiting a remarkable chapter of revolutionary history and gaining a deep appreciation of the Yan’an Spirit of self-improvement and perseverance.
In addition to history and culture, the programme also included visits to the XJTU Museum of the Westward Relocation, the Western China Science and Technology Innovation Harbour of XJTU and the Qinchuangyuan (秦創原‧陝西科技創新產品路演中心), where participants gained a deeper understanding of the Nation’s technological innovation, new quality productive forces and achievements in high-quality development.
The study tour group visited the XJTU Museum of the Westward Relocation and Qinchuangyuan (秦創原‧陝西科技創新產品路演中心), gaining deeper insight into the Nation’s achievements in technological innovation and the development of new quality productive forces, while learning about the Westward Relocation spirit of devotion to the greater good and selfless dedication.
Through these visits and exchanges, students came to appreciate more fully the Westward Relocation spirit, which embodies devotion to the greater good, selfless dedication, the carrying forward of fine traditions and perseverance in pioneering endeavours. They noted that the older generation of intellectuals had made the resolute decision to relocate westward and devote themselves to the country under very difficult circumstances, a commitment that was deeply moving and prompted reflection on how they themselves might connect their academic and professional pursuits with National development and contributions to their respective fields.
At the closing ceremony, students shared their reflections on what they had seen, heard and learnt. They said the tour was rich and fulfilling, and that through first-hand visits to historical sites, revolutionary landmarks and innovation platforms, they had broadened their horizons and developed a more concrete understanding of the profound heritage of Chinese civilisation and the strong momentum of National development. Many said the trip transformed textbook knowledge into lived experience, deepened their understanding of revolutionary spirit and their responsibility in the current era, and helped them recognise more clearly the close connection between the future of Hong Kong’s youth and that of the Nation. They expressed their determination to apply what they had learnt in serving society and contributing to National development, and to play their part in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation.
Prof. SHAN Zhiwei, Vice-Present of XJTU, said that students had gained genuine insights through travelling and experiencing the places in person, and that their sharing reflected both passion and deep reflection. He added that the best way for Hong Kong young people to understand the Motherland was for them to visit more cities across Chinese mainland.
Dr Lam Tai-fai expressed his high hopes for all participating students. He emphasised, “As Chinese citizens, patriotism is our responsibility, attitude, duty and mission. It is only natural. But patriotism cannot remain empty talk, nor can it be confined to emotional expression. Patriotism requires participation, action and commitment. It also calls for dedication, contribution and sacrifice.” He encouraged students to share their experiences with family members, friends and fellow students upon returning to Hong Kong, and to tell vividly the stories of China, PolyU and XJTU.
Prof. Cao Jiannong said that the study tour was a highly meaningful educational initiative. By integrating Chinese history and culture, revolutionary traditions and technological innovation into an experiential learning journey, the programme enabled students to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, revolutionary spirit and National development. He added that the tour carries far-reaching significance in nurturing patriotic young people who love both the country and Hong Kong, and in guiding students to serve society and contribute to the Nation.
Dr Lam Tai-fai encouraged students that, while pursuing their personal career development after graduation, they should also align themselves with the Nation’s overall development, take an active part in social service, serve the country and contribute to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation.
PolyU has long upheld moral education and talent cultivation with patriotism at its core. It is the first university in Hong Kong with “Chinese History and Culture” as a compulsory subject for all undergraduate students, and the first to establish a student flag-raising team. The University has also established the Research Centre for Chinese History and Culture and continues to advance teaching and research in Chinese culture. Through diverse campus initiatives such as the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, the University promotes students’ National identity and cultural confidence in a comprehensive and multi-dimensional manner.
Looking ahead, PolyU will continue to build on its patriotic education bases in Hong Kong and Xi’an, and plans to establish additional patriotic education bases in other parts of Chinese mainland. The University will also deepen collaboration with Chinese mainland universities and other relevant institutions to nurture more outstanding young people who care deeply about the Nation, love both the country and Hong Kong, and are ready to shoulder the responsibilities of the times.
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Teaching & Learning
Mainland Development Office
