Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (first left) and Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (first right) present an award to the champion team at the prize-giving ceremony of the 15th Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest Final on May 20, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
The 15th “Hong Kong Cup” Diplomatic Knowledge Contest, aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of foreign policy among Hong Kong students and deepening their knowledge of the motherland, drew a record number of more than 60,000 students from the city’s 253 primary and secondary schools.
The theme of this year’s competition was “New Journey for the Motherland, New Chapter for Hong Kong, New Opportunities for the World”. The contest covered a wide range of topics, including national foreign policy, the Belt and Road Initiative, reform and opening-up, “one country, two systems” and the National Security Law for Hong Kong.
Following the competition’s first round held in March, ten teams advanced to the final on Saturday and were divided into two groups to compete against each other. Fourteen schools stood out in the final with various accolades and honors.
Launched in 2007, the event is jointly organized by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Education Bureau and the Better Hong Kong Foundation
Launched in 2007, the event is jointly organized by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Education Bureau and the Better Hong Kong Foundation.
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At the awards ceremony, Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, expressed the central government’s unwavering support for the SAR’s development and the consolidation of the city’s strengths, saying this will enable local youth to expand their horizons and explore the world.
Hong Kong’s active integration into the country’s overall development has opened up new avenues for the SAR’s young people to pursue their dreams, he said.
Liu also encouraged Hong Kong youth to be patriotic, possess a global outlook, cultivate their personal skills and shoulder responsibilities.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said at the event the study of diplomacy plays a crucial role in developing a sense of national identity among Hong Kong students.
Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, delivers a speech at the 15th “Hong Kong Cup” Diplomatic Knowledge Contest on May 20, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
He thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese embassies for their robust support for the SAR’s diplomatic work during his numerous foreign trips in recent months, and urged young people in Hong Kong to pay greater attention to the nation’s development and shine on the international arena in the future.
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Fukien Secondary School and Yan Chai Hospital Wong Wha San Secondary School clinched the gold prize in each group. This year’s “Best Spokesperson Award” went to Or Yu-sze, a Form Three student at Diocesan Girls’ School.
Cally Kwong Mei-wan, a Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress and a judge at the event, said all the contestants had put in a lot of effort and preparations for the competition. She hoped they’ll continue to tell good Hong Kong stories in innovative ways in the future.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu gives his remarks at the 15th "Hong Kong Cup” Diplomatic Knowledge Contest on May 20, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Another judge — Lawrence Lau Juen-yee, a former non-official member of the Executive Council – said he was impressed with the performance of the contestants. He suggested that a debate section be included in the competition in the coming year to make it even more engaging.
Cheung Yi-ying, a Secondary 3 student from Yan Chai Hospital Wong Wha San Secondary School, was excited that her team won a gold award.
She said she had spent more than two months preparing for the contest, adding that her extensive reading of news and speeches of spokespersons of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had deepened her understanding of the nation’s foreign policy.
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Or said it was the first time she had participated in such a major competition, and felt that the experience had significantly strengthened her public speaking skills and the ability to deal with stress.