Since its launch in March, the third PolyU Chinese Culture Festival has offered the University community diverse opportunities to engage with Chinese culture. Building on the momentum of its opening programme, “A Window onto Vast Vistas: Master Writers’ Hong Kong Traces”, the Festival continued with two major highlights: the PolyU “Hakka Heritage in the Bay Area: Shaping a Shared Future”—Greater Bay Area Hakka Cultural Joint Showcase and the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.

Connecting Hakka communities across the Greater Bay Area

Launched on National Day, the two-week Hakka Cultural Joint Showcase reflected PolyU’s growing role in promoting cultural exchange across the Greater Bay Area. Organised by PolyU and supported and co-organised by the Overseas Friendship Associations of Huizhou, Heyuan, Meizhou and Shaoguan, the Showcase brought together regional partners to explore the deep connections between Hakka culture and Hong Kong while fostering heritage appreciation and cultural exchange.

Those officiating at the launch ceremony included Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Mr Lai Jianhua, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Huizhou Municipal Committee, Chairman of the 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; Professor Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President; Dr Daniel Yip, PolyU Deputy Council Chairman; Ms Chen Xueting, Executive Director of the 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; Professor Wing-tak Wong, PolyU Deputy President and Provost; Professor Christopher Chao, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Ms Yang Shuoying, Vice Chairman of the Huizhou Overseas Friendship Association; Mr Zeng Haisheng, Vice Chairman of the Heyuan Overseas Friendship Association; Professor Ben Young, PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) and Chairman of the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival; Mr Ou Huikuan, Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Daya Bay Economic Development Zone; and Professor Zhou Xiantai, President of Sun Yat-sen University Huizhou Research Institute.

At the launch ceremony, Dr Lam highlighted the significance of the initiative in advancing the Nation’s goal of enhancing cultural soft power and promoting Chinese culture. He noted that these priorities are not only national strategies but also part of PolyU’s mission. As the University approaches its 90th anniversary, PolyU remains committed to nurturing national identity and belonging among young people, supporting Hong Kong’s development as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange, and contributing to the Nation’s development.

From heritage to lived experience

The Showcase featured an exhibition, a dance drama, an academic forum and a series of intangible cultural heritage workshops, each offering a different perspective on Hakka culture.

The “Exhibition on the History, Culture, and Prominent Figures of Hakka in the Greater Bay Area” explored the shared heritage of Huizhou, Heyuan, Meizhou and Shaoguan. Through themes including the “common origin of the four prefectures”, “Guangdong-Hong Kong solidarity” and “connecting overseas Chinese worldwide”, it highlighted the cultural ties linking Hakka communities across the region and beyond. Watch the highlights of the exhibition.

A major highlight was the original dance drama 1942 Through the Blockade Line, performed by the Huizhou Song and Dance Theatre at the PolyU Jockey Club Auditorium. Combining history and artistic expression, the production brought to life the wartime rescue of hundreds of cultural figures and patriots from occupied Hong Kong, offering audiences a vivid encounter with an important chapter of national history.

Moving from cultural experiences to academic exchange, the Greater Bay Area Forum on Hakka Culture brought together leading scholars, including Professor Xiao Wenping, Dean of the Hakka Culture Research Institute at Jiaying University, and Dr Lau Kai Yiu, Lecturer in PolyU’s Department of Chinese History and Culture, to explore the origins, heritage and contemporary significance of Hakka culture.

Meanwhile, workshops on Dragon Style Martial Arts, Wuhua String Puppetry, Traditional Zhongxin Lantern Craft and Yao Embroidery provided hands-on encounters with Hakka-related intangible cultural heritage, allowing participants to experience traditional practices first-hand.

Take a look back at the Greater Bay Area Hakka Cultural Joint Showcase and its diverse cultural experiences.

Bringing cultural tradition into campus life

The Mid-Autumn Festival Gala brought the PolyU community together through one of the most cherished festivals in Chinese culture. Held from 17 to 19 September, the three-night celebration attracted more than 17,000 registrations from students, staff and alumni.

Featuring “Lantern Lighting Night”, “Cultural Experience Night” and “Moonlit Lantern Night”, the Gala combined festive celebrations with immersive cultural activities, transforming the campus into a vibrant space for experiencing Chinese traditions.

Beyond the festivities, the Gala reflected PolyU’s commitment to integrating Chinese culture into campus life. By bringing together students, staff and alumni in a shared celebration, it strengthened community bonds while promoting appreciation of Chinese cultural heritage.

Through the Hakka Cultural Joint Showcase and the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, PolyU demonstrated how Chinese culture can be integrated into learning, research and campus life. As the Chinese Culture Festival enters its third year, it continues to support the University’s mission of providing holistic education that nurtures socially responsible leaders with a strong sense of national identity and a global perspective.

Watch the highlights of the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.

Dr Lam Tai-fai and Prof. Jin-Guang Teng joined the University’s senior management on a campus tour, meeting and interacting with PolyU staff, students and alumni gathered for the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.