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Maritime Silk Road Society and Local Undergrads Embark on the Fujian (Xiamen, Quanzhou) Cultural Tour

2016-03-28

　　Mrs Regina Ip, Co-Chair of the Maritime Silk Road Society (MSRS), led a delegation to Fujian on 25 March (Friday), embarking on the five-day “Fujian (Xiamen, Quanzhou) – Maritime Silk Road Cultural Tour.”

　　The tour, with 150 members, consists mainly of full-time Hong Kong undergraduate students and MSRS representatives - Mr Roland Wong, Vice-Chair (Development) of the Youth Opportunities Committee (YOC); Ms Eunice Yung, Vice-Chair (Administration) of YOC; and Mr Wong Kyin Pyu, Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee.

The cultural tour aims to help local university students increase their knowledge of the culture and strategic location of Xiamen and Quanzhou along the Belt and Road, understand the relationship between the Maritime Silk Road and Hong Kong, and explore opportunities.

The delegation arrived in Xiamen in the afternoon of 25 March and proceeded directly to Xiamen University to learn about its classical architecture and scenic environment before enjoying a dinner at the Hibiscus Restaurant in the campus. The group attended an opening ceremony prior to the seminar focused on analyzing the advantages, challenges, and strategies of “The Belt and Road Initiative” by Professor Wu Chongbo from the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Xiamen University.

　　Mr Lu Jinbang, Deputy Director of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Mr Chen Fei, Vice Minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC (UFWD) Fujian Provincial Party Committee; Ms Cai Linna, Vice President of the UFWD Xiamen Municipal Committee and Vice President of Xiamen Overseas Friendship Association; and Ms Long Jianyi, Deputy Director of the UFWD Xiamen University also attended the ceremony.

　　Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mrs Regina Ip, said, “I am pleased to organize such a culturally rich programme for Hong Kong students to enhance their knowledge of the history of the two cities, gain a better understanding of our nation’s ‘The Belt and Road Initiative’ and identify potential developmental opportunities.”

　　On 26 March, members of the group went to Xiamen Subdistrict of the China (Fujian) Pilot Free-Trade Zone to see for themselves the latest development in the region. In the afternoon, they took a boat ride to visit the famous Kulangyu and enjoyed the glove puppet show which was included on the list of China’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. In addition, representatives of the delegation met with Mr Huang Duan, Vice Director of the Development Research Center of Fujian Provincial People’s Government and Advisor of MSRS; Ms Huang Ling, Member of Standing Committee of Xiamen Municipal Committee and President of Xiamen Overseas Friendship Association; and Mr Ye Zhenghui, Head of Liaison Office of the UFWD Xiamen Municipal Committee and Secretary-General of Xiamen Overseas Friendship Association for a conversation.

　　On 27 March, the group visited Tan Kah Kee Memorial Museum and Gulong Sauce Cultural Centre, and travelled to Quanzhou in the afternoon for the Cao’an Temple, the world’s only remaining intact Manichaean temple and Kaiyuan Temple. Also, the representatives of the delegation met with Mr Wang Qingxiang, Deputy Director-General of the UFWD Quanzhou Municipal Committee and Executive Vice Chairman of Quanzhou Overseas Friendship Association; Ms Wang Zhaozhao, Director of Liaison Office of the UFWD Quanzhou Municipal Committee and Deputy Secretariat of Quanzhou Overseas Friendship Association; Ms Wang Yijun, Deputy Director of Liaison Office of the UFWD Quanzhou Municipal Committee to exchange views on the development of the region and Hong Kong.

　　On 28 March, the tour will visit historical sites such as the Southern Shaolin Monastery, Quanzhou Maritime Museum and the China Museum for Fujian-Taiwan Kinship which offer a vivid description of the history, culture and religion of Quanzhou, the starting point of Maritime Silk Road.

　　On 29 March, the tour will conclude with a visit to ANTA Sports Products Limited, a branded sportswear company in China, for students to learn about the development, corporate culture, production technology and key to success of the Chinese enterprise.

　　Meanwhile, MSRS organizes a photo competition for students to share their experiences from the Fujian Cultural Tour. To join the competition, students who have participated in the tour can submit a maximum of five entries and upload their photos (with a topic and hashtag “#MSRSQZ2016”) to their Instagram pages and to share them on their Facebook on or before 6 April. The top 10 popular photos will be shortlisted for adjudication by the judging panel which will select a top winner and four subsidiary winners. For more detailed information of the competition, please visit the following website: http://maritimesilkroad.org.hk/en/event/youthOpportunitiesCommitteeDetail/82.

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Professor Wu Chongbo's seminar powerpoint (Chinese Only)

March 25

1. A group photograph taken at the campus of Xiamen University.

2. Mrs Regina Ip delivering her remarks at Xiamen University.

3. Mr Chen Fei, Vice Minister of the UFWD Fujian Provincial Party Committee delivering his remarks at Xiamen University.

4. A group photograph taken at the opening ceremony of the seminar.

5. Professor Wu Chongbo hosted a seminar focusing on analyzing the advantages, challenges, and strategies of “The Belt and Road Initiative”.

6. Mr Roland Wong (left), Vice-Chair (Development) of MSRS’ Youth Opportunities Committee presented a souvenir to Professor Wu Chongbo of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Xiamen University.