PolyU “Hakka Heritage in the Bay Area: Shaping a Shared Future” — Greater Bay Area Hakka Cultural Joint Showcase launch ceremony cum Flag-raising ceremony to celebrate 77th anniversary of founding of the People’s Republic of China

1 Oct 2026

Events Communications and Public Affairs Office

The launch ceremony of “Hakka Heritage in the Bay Area: Shaping a Shared Future” — Greater Bay Area Hakka Cultural Joint Showcase was officiated by Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman (centre); Mr Lai Jianhua, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Huizhou Municipal Committee, Chairman of Huizhou Overseas Friendship Association (7th from left); Mr Huang Jingrui, Spokesperson of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR and Director-General of the Department of Media and Public Relations (7th from right); Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President (6th from left); Dr Daniel Yip, PolyU Deputy Council Chairman (6th from right); Ms Chen Xueting, Executive Director of Guangdong Overseas Friendship Association (5th from left); Mrs Liu Fu Yongqin, Deputy Director of the Social Development Division, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province (5th from right); Dr Katherine Ngan, University Court Chairman (4th from right); Prof. Wing-tak Wong, PolyU Deputy President and Provost (4th from left); Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) (3rd from right); Ms Yang Shuoying, Vice Chairman of Huizhou Overseas Friendship Association (3rd from left); Mr Zeng Haisheng, Vice Chairman of Heyuan Overseas Friendship Association (2nd from right); Prof. Ben Young, PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) and Chairman of PolyU Chinese Culture Festival (2nd from left); Mr Ou Huikuan, Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Daya Bay Economic Development Zone (1st from left); and Prof. Zhou Xiantai, President of Sun Yat-sen University Huizhou Research Institute (1st from right).

PolyU Council Chairman Dr Lam Tai-fai said, the event showcased this precious treasure of Hakka culture with a long and rich heritage. PolyU would strive its best to nurture a sense of national identity and belonging among young people, support Hong Kong in developing into an ‘East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange’, cultivate diverse talent, and contribute to our Nation.

Mr Lai Jianhua, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Huizhou Municipal Committee, Chairman of Huizhou Overseas Friendship Association, said the launch of this Showcase at PolyU stemmed from the solid foundation of cooperation between the University and the local community, and looked forward to further expanding practical cooperation with PolyU in areas including Hakka culture research, the digital preservation of intangible cultural heritage, and youth exchange.

Guests visited the “Exhibition on the History, Culture, and Prominent Figures of Hakka in the Greater Bay Area” and learned about Hakka heritage.

Huizhou Song and Dance Theatre performed the original dance drama “1942 Through the Blockade Line”, presenting on stage the rescue operation undertaken during the period of the Japanese occupation that renowned literary figure Mao Dun hailed as the greatest endeavour in the War of Resistance.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to promoting Chinese culture. Today, it held the launch ceremony of “Hakka Heritage in the Bay Area: Shaping a Shared Future” — Greater Bay Area Hakka Cultural Joint Showcase (the Showcase), marking the official commencement of the two-week event. On the same day, a flag-raising ceremony was also held to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

As a highlight event of the third PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, the Showcase is generously supported and co-organised by the Overseas Friendship Associations of Huizhou, Heyuan, Meizhou and Shaoguan. The Showcase presents the deep-rooted connections between Hakka culture and Hong Kong, while promoting cultural exchange, appreciation of heritage and innovation across the Greater Bay Area. Its launch ceremony was officiated by Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Mr LAI Jianhua, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Huizhou Municipal Committee, Chairman of Huizhou Overseas Friendship Association; Mr HUANG Jingrui, Spokesperson of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR and Director-General of the Department of Media and Public Relations; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Dr Daniel YIP, PolyU Deputy Council Chairman; Ms CHEN Xueting, Executive Director of Guangdong Overseas Friendship Association; Mrs LIU FU Yongqin, Deputy Director of the Social Development Division, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province; Dr Katherine NGAN, University Court Chairman; Prof. Wing-tak WONG, PolyU Deputy President and Provost; Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Ms YANG Shuoying, Vice Chairman of Huizhou Overseas Friendship Association; Mr ZENG Haisheng, Vice Chairman of Heyuan Overseas Friendship Association; Prof. Ben YOUNG, PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) and Chairman of PolyU Chinese Culture Festival; Mr OU Huikuan, Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Daya Bay Economic Development Zone; and Prof. ZHOU Xiantai, President of Sun Yat-sen University Huizhou Research Institute.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Dr Lam Tai-fai said: “As the ‘PolyU Chinese Culture Festival’ enters its third year, this event takes Hakka culture as its theme, showcasing to our staff, students and the wider community this precious cultural treasure with a long and rich heritage. The Nation’s ‘15th Five-Year Plan’ sets out the goals of enhancing the country’s cultural soft power and promoting Chinese culture. They are not only national strategies, but also the mission for Hong Kong and PolyU. Next year, PolyU will celebrate its 90th anniversary. Over these nine decades, PolyU has always walked alongside Hong Kong and stood in unity with our Nation. We will strive our best in nurturing a sense of national identity and belonging among our young people, supporting Hong Kong in developing into an ‘East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange’, cultivating diverse talent, and contributing to our Nation.”

Mr Lai Jianhua said: “The launch of the Showcase at PolyU stems not only from the appeal of Hakka culture, but also from the solid foundation of cooperation between the University and our local community. PolyU-Daya Bay Technology and Innovation Research Institute was officially established in Huizhou in 2024. Through jointly building laboratories, incubating technology enterprises, and nurturing high-calibre talent, it has become an exemplary platform for Huizhou–Hong Kong cooperation. Building on this established platform, we look forward to further expanding practical cooperation with PolyU in areas including Hakka culture research, the digital preservation of intangible cultural heritage, and youth exchange, encouraging more Hong Kong young people to visit Huizhou, gain a deeper understanding of Hakka culture, and participate in the development of the Greater Bay Area.”

First event to take the stage is the “Exhibition on the History, Culture, and Prominent Figures of Hakka in the Greater Bay Area”, which will run from today to 16 October. The exhibition introduces Hakka culture in the Greater Bay Area, showcasing the profound shared cultural heritage of the four cities of Huizhou, Heyuan, Meizhou and Shaoguan, highlighting the “common origin of the four prefectures”, with a special focus on “Guangdong-Hong Kong solidarity” and “connecting overseas Chinese worldwide”. It also features reproductions of a number of precious overseas remittance letters and other historical materials relating to Hakka communities across the Strait and overseas, bearing witness to the deep affection of the Hakka people for their homeland. After the launch ceremony, the original dance drama “1942 Through the Blockade Line” was performed by the Huizhou Song and Dance Theatre, presenting on stage the rescue operation undertaken during the period of the Japanese occupation that renowned literary figure Mao Dun hailed as the greatest endeavour in the War of Resistance, rescuing hundreds of cultural figures and patriots from Hong Kong.

The PolyU Chinese Culture Festival is a major annual event of the University, promoting Chinese culture through a rich and diverse array of activities. It aims to cultivate a sense of national sentiment and cultural confidence among PolyU staff, students and the public, and to strengthen a sense of national identity, pride and belonging.

In addition, intangible cultural heritage workshops will be held on 6, 7, 14 and 15 October, covering “Dragon Style Martial Arts”, “String Puppetry”, “Traditional Zhongxin Lantern Craft” and “Yao Embroidery”, allowing participants to experience the unique charm of Hakka intangible cultural heritage. All activities are free of charge. PolyU students, staff, alumni and members of the public are welcome. For details: https://polyu.me/4rnRwUz.

National Day flag-raising ceremony fosters a sense of national identity and belonging

PolyU also held a flag-raising ceremony on campus today to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. The ceremony was officiated by Dr Lam Tai-fai, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, Mr Huang Jingrui, and Mr CAO Qifeng, Director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR. They were joined by representatives of the co-organisers and supporting organisations of the Showcase, members of the Council and Court, other University senior management, University Fellows, Outstanding Alumni, members of the PolyU Foundation, as well as over 700 guests, staff, students and alumni. Together, they extended their best wishes for the prosperity of the Nation and the steady, long-term success of Hong Kong. The ceremony was jointly conducted by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison and the PolyU Student Flag-Raising Team.

PolyU held a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The ceremony was jointly conducted by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison and the PolyU Student Flag-Raising Team.

The flag-raising ceremony was officiated by PolyU Council Chairman Dr Lam Tai-fai (12th from left); President Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (10th from left); Mr Huang Jingrui, Spokesperson of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR and Director-General of the Department of Media and Public Relations (11th from left); and Mr Cao Qifeng, Director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (9th from left). They were joined by representatives of the co-organisers and supporting organisations of “Hakka Heritage in the Bay Area: Shaping a Shared Future” — Greater Bay Area Hakka Cultural Joint Showcase under the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, members of the Council and Court, other University senior management, University Fellows, Outstanding Alumni, members of the PolyU Foundation, as well as over 700 guests, staff, students and alumni.

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