PolyU unveils Patriotic Education Base (Hong Kong) with Xi’an Jiaotong University to nurture youth with affection for the Nation and Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has long been committed to nurturing socially responsible professionals and leaders with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective. In support of the Nation’s implementation of patriotic education, PolyU and Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) held the unveiling ceremony today for the “PolyU Patriotic Education Base (Hong Kong)” (the Base). With this milestone, PolyU becomes the first university in Hong Kong to establish demonstration bases for patriotic education in both Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland. Serving as the main base, the Hong Kong Base will work closely with the “PolyU Patriotic Education Base (Xi’an)” established last year to develop a replicable model for patriotic education, contributing to the cultivation of talent devoted to Hong Kong and the Nation. The University plans to organise the first student delegation visit to Xi’an this May. With the establishment of the Hong Kong and Xi’an Bases, PolyU and XJTU will leverage their education strengths and collaboration networks with other higher institutions in Chinese Mainland, contributing to the advancement of patriotic education in Hong Kong for better integration into overall national development.

Taking place on the PolyU campus, the unveiling ceremony was witnessed by Ms Alice MAK Mei-kuen, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China; Mr HUANG Jingrui, Spokesperson and Director-General of the Department of Media and Public Relations of the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR; and Mr CAO Qifeng, Director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR. The ceremony was jointly officiated by Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU, and Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, together with Prof. ZHANG Liqun, President of XJTU, and Prof. LIU Wenfeng, Director of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of XJTU.

Dr Lam Tai-fai remarked: “The ‘Chinese Dream’ is the dream of all our compatriots. To realise the ‘Chinese Dream’ of national prosperity, rejuvenation of the Nation and happiness for the people, the spirit of patriotism is indispensable. The ‘Chinese Dream’ and patriotism are closely intertwined. Patriotism is the greatest driving force and cohesive power for achieving the ‘Chinese Dream’ and the ‘People’s Dream’. Fulfilling the ‘Chinese Dream’ is the solemn mission of every Chinese in our era.”

He also emphasised: “The motto of PolyU is ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’. One of our important educational missions is to nurture students with a strong sense of national pride, a global perspective and a sense of responsibility, enabling them to contribute to society and the Nation. The PolyU Council and management fully recognise that patriotism is fundamental to the survival, security and development of our Nation. We lead by example, united in our efforts to promote patriotic education—not just in words, but in action. We have incorporated patriotic education into our mission and implemented it across our curriculum and activities with a view to nurturing patriotic talent. PolyU is fully committed to supporting the Nation in advancing towards its second centennial goal, contributing to the Nation’s development into a powerhouse in education, talent cultivation and technology, advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation.”

“PolyU and XJTU have enjoyed over 20 years of collaboration which embodies a deep brotherly bond. The jointly established Patriotic Education Base is an important new initiative under our deepening partnership. This is not only a great honour but also a significant mission for PolyU. Being fully aware of the paramount responsibilities ahead, we will spare no effort to fulfil our mission and achieve our goals,” he added.

Prof. Zhang Liqun said: “The establishment of the ‘PolyU Patriotic Education Base’ is an important step for both universities in implementing the Patriotic Education Law of the People’s Republic of China and integrating patriotic education into the talent cultivation system. It marks a new stage in our collaboration. The two universities will jointly organise various teaching programmes spanning national studies, thematic lectures, field trips and cultural exchanges, facilitating deeper understanding of the Nation’s history, achievements and future directions for Hong Kong youth. This will enhance our students’ confidence, understanding and sense of belonging to the Nation, and nurture a new generation of builders and successors devoted to the Nation and Hong Kong under the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ framework.”

PolyU 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 set up the Research Centre for Chinese History and Culture to promote related teaching and research, while also organising a wide range of activities such as the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival to promote Chinese culture.

The Hong Kong Base will strengthen collaboration between the PolyU Faculty of Humanities, the Research Centre for Chinese History and Culture, the Confucius Institute of Hong Kong and XJTU, further enriching and expanding the University’s General University Requirements in Chinese history and culture. Through systematic and diversified educational activities, the Base will deepen young people’s understanding of the Nation’s history, culture and achievements.

PolyU plans to organise its first student delegation visit to the Xi’an Base this May. It will include visits to historical and cultural heritage sites in Xi’an, local technology enterprise tours, thematic lectures, inter-university student forums and service-learning activities. In the future, PolyU aims to collaborate with more Mainland universities, government institutions and cultural organisations to develop the Hong Kong Base into a key hub for patriotic education in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and across the country.

***END***