Hong Kong Youth Share First-hand Experiences of Xinjiang on HKSAR Establishment Day
Experiencing Ethnic Harmony and Witnessing New Developments in Northwest China
(2 July 2026, Hong Kong) As Hong Kong marks the 29th anniversary of its return to the motherland, a group of Hong Kong youths who recently participated in an exchange and study tour to Xinjiang shared their first-hand experiences at a HKSAR Establishment Day celebration organised by HKCT Institute of Higher Education (HKCT) and the Hong Kong College of Technology (HKCT) yesterday.
Through visits to local communities, educational institutions and enterprises, and meaningful exchanges with residents and young people from different ethnic backgrounds, the students gained first-hand insights into Xinjiang's harmonious, multicultural society. They also witnessed the remarkable development achievements of Northwest China in areas such as technological innovation, industrial advancement and public wellbeing. Participating students remarked that the exchange enabled them to move beyond textbooks and online information, allowing them to understand the real Xinjiang from a first-person perspective and deepen their understanding of national development and ethnic unity.
(More than 100 HKCT students, staff members and alumni gathered at HKCT to celebrate the 29th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. Distinguished guests included Ms Wong Pui Chi, Principal of Chiu Chow Association Secondary School; Ms Cheng So Wa, Vice Principal of Chiu Chow Association Secondary School; Ms Chong Chui Shan, Member of the Committee on Civic Education; and Acting Major Choi Sui Ting of the New Territories Squadron, Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps, among others.)
Hong Kong Youth Explore Communities and Campuses, Experiencing Ethnic Integration First-hand
( Four HKCT students hosted a sharing session on the "Boundless Explorers: Discovering the Silk Road" exchange programme, passing on their passion for the history and culture of Northwest China to fellow Hong Kong youth in attendance.)
One of the highlights of the event was a sharing session by students who had recently completed the "Boundless Explorers: Discovering the Silk Road" exchange programme. Supported by funding from the Committee on Civic Education, the eight-day, seven-night study tour took place in mid-June and included visits to Urumqi, Shanshan and Turpan. Through institutional exchanges, community visits and cultural experiences, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of Xinjiang's social development and local culture.
During the tour, students visited Xinjiang University and Xinjiang Vocational University of Science and Technology, and explored local communities under the guidance of local youth. Participants noted that interactions with local young people were among the most memorable aspects of the trip. Conversations naturally centred on campus life, further education, career development, cultural traditions and entrepreneurial aspirations. Despite their different backgrounds, participants discovered a shared enthusiasm for personal growth and future opportunities.
Students observed that young people from different ethnic groups interacted naturally and respectfully, providing a vivid illustration of ethnic integration and social harmony. Some participants reflected that their previous understanding of Xinjiang had been shaped largely by textbooks and online sources. Through face-to-face encounters and on-site observation, they gained a more comprehensive and authentic understanding of the region, witnessing people from different ethnic backgrounds living and developing together harmoniously. This experience also deepened their appreciation of ethnic unity and national development.
One student commented: "These meaningful, two-way exchanges within local communities allowed us to experience our country's progress first-hand. They also inspired us to become bridges for cultural exchange between Hong Kong and the Mainland, bringing authentic stories of Northwest China back to Hong Kong."
Witnessing Innovation and Development in Northwest China
(HKCT students visited leading technology enterprises, including TBEA and iFLYTEK, witnessing first-hand the rapid growth and technological leadership of Northwest China in areas such as artificial intelligence, cutting-edge innovation, and the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries.)
(At Aixinyuan Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre, students provided volunteer services for children with autism and developmental delays, gaining a deeper appreciation of the importance of combining personal strengths with social responsibility and contributing meaningfully to the community as young people.)
In addition to exploring local communities, the delegation visited leading enterprises including TBEA (Tebian Electric Apparatus) and iFLYTEK, gaining insights into the latest developments in renewable energy, artificial intelligence and technological innovation.
Students noted that their previous impressions of Xinjiang were largely associated with its rich history, culture and natural landscapes. However, the study tour left them deeply impressed by the region's rapid progress in technological innovation, industrial upgrading and modernisation. From renewable energy projects to AI applications, they witnessed the dynamism and growth potential of Northwest China, gaining a clearer understanding of the country's achievements in promoting innovation-driven and high-quality development.
Through corporate visits and exchanges with industry professionals, participants also learned how different regions leverage their unique strengths to foster industrial development. They further recognised the important role of technological innovation in driving economic growth, improving people's livelihoods and enhancing national competitiveness.
The delegation also visited Aixinyuan Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre, where students provided volunteer services for children with autism and developmental delays. Participants remarked that the experience strengthened their empathy and commitment to community service, while reminding them that young people should contribute to society by combining personal development with social responsibility.
Tracing the Ancient Silk Road and Appreciating Cultural Diversity
(The delegation also arranged visits to Xinjiang University and Xinjiang Vocational University of Science and Technology, where students had the opportunity to experience "A Day as a Urumqi Resident", gaining first-hand insights into local campus life, community culture and everyday life in Xinjiang.)
During the exchange, students visited historical and cultural landmarks including the Jiaohe Ancient City Ruins, the Karez Irrigation System, and Hongshan Park. These visits provided valuable insights into Xinjiang's historical significance as a key hub along the ancient Silk Road.
By exploring ancient city ruins, traditional irrigation systems and historical relics preserved over centuries, participants gained a deeper appreciation of the rich cultural exchanges and mutual learning that have shaped the region throughout history. The experience enhanced their understanding of Xinjiang's unique role in the development of Chinese civilisation.
Students noted that while they had previously learned about the Silk Road in the classroom, visiting these historic sites in person offered a far more vivid understanding of ancient cultural exchanges and ethnic integration. Whether through the historical remains of Jiaohe Ancient City or the ingenuity reflected in the Karez system, they were able to experience first-hand the inclusiveness, resilience and enduring vitality of Chinese civilisation.
Participants agreed that the visit not only enriched their understanding of Chinese history and culture, but also enabled them to appreciate Xinjiang's development as a multi-ethnic region from a historical perspective, further strengthening their cultural confidence and sense of national identity.
Fusion of Tradition and Modernity Showcases Youthful Energy
(Members of the Xinjiang exchange delegation performed a traditional Xinjiang courtship dance, showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant ethnic traditions.)
(Talent Mill performed songs including Descendants of the Dragon, expressing a strong sense of patriotism and heartfelt wishes for the prosperity and continued development of Hong Kong and the nation.)
(The Talent Mill Dance Team presented a contemporary dance performance, offering audiences a fresh and dynamic cultural experience through the fusion and interaction of diverse artistic influences.)
In addition to the exchange sharing session, the celebration featured a flag-raising ceremony and a variety of cultural performances to commemorate the 29th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.
The event opened with a flag-raising ceremony conducted by the HKCT Flag Guard Team and the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps. Students from Chiu Chow Association Secondary School then delivered an impressive Tai Chi fan martial arts performance, demonstrating the elegance and strength of traditional Chinese culture. Members of the Xinjiang exchange delegation and the Talent Mill HKCT Performing Arts Team subsequently performed traditional Xinjiang dances and contemporary dance pieces respectively, highlighting the diversity and inclusiveness of Chinese culture. The celebration culminated with musical performances expressing best wishes for the continued prosperity of Hong Kong and the nation, bringing the atmosphere to its peak.
HKCT noted that genuine understanding comes through personal experience, while authentic knowledge is built through meaningful interaction. By visiting communities, campuses and enterprises in Xinjiang, students not only experienced ethnic harmony first-hand but also witnessed the region's remarkable development. The institution stated that it will continue to create more exchange and learning opportunities, enabling young people to see the country through their own eyes, explore the nation through their own journeys and share China's stories through their own experiences, while fostering deeper mutual understanding between youth in Hong Kong and the Mainland.
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