Qiu Yong, secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee, visited the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) from May 2 to 4. Yang Bin, vice chancellor of the University Council, accompanied the delegation.

On May 3, the 70th anniversary celebration of the Tsinghua Alumni Association of Hong Kong was held in Hong Kong. John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, Zhou Ji, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Qiu Yong, and Lih-Juann Chen, former president of Tsing Hua University in Hsinchu, attended the event and delivered speeches. More than 900 guests participated, including representatives of Tsinghua alumni in Hong Kong from both Tsinghua University and Tsing Hua University in Hsinchu, as well as representatives from Hong Kong's political, business, and academic circles.

Lee noted that over the past seven decades, the Tsinghua Alumni Association of Hong Kong has upheld its mission of "connecting alumni, serving Hong Kong, giving back to the alma mater, and contributing to society", carrying forward Tsinghua's motto of Self-Discipline and Social Commitment. He stated that Hong Kong is currently advancing the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, which will open up broader space for Hong Kong's tertiary education and help cultivate more high-caliber talents for both the nation and Hong Kong. He also highlighted Tsinghua’s long-standing tradition of patriotism, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence, and expressed the hope that Tsinghua alumni in Hong Kong will continue to harness the intellectual strengths they cultivated at Tsinghua, integrate into practices that reflect love for both the nation and Hong Kong, dedicate themselves to the motherland, and contribute to Hong Kong’s prosperity. In doing so, they will help build Hong Kong into an international education hub and advance the nation's high-quality development.

Zhou pointed out that Tsinghua University has nurtured a large number of outstanding talents capable of shouldering great responsibilities for the country, the nation, and the people, and has also provided valuable talent and intellectual support for Hong Kong's development. Over the past 70 years, the Tsinghua Alumni Association of Hong Kong has brought alumni together, deepened exchanges, and made active contributions to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. Standing at a new starting point, he expressed the hope that Tsinghua alumni in Hong Kong will carry forward the glorious tradition of patriotism and dedication, uphold the spirit of "actions speak louder than words", and leverage their extensive networks and resources to bring honor to their alma mater and add luster to Hong Kong through even greater achievements.

Qiu noted that after 70 years of development, the Tsinghua Alumni Association of Hong Kong has become an important bridge connecting Tsinghua University and Hong Kong. The Alumni have served Hong Kong and given back to their alma mater through concrete actions, fully demonstrating the sense of responsibility and commitment of the Tsinghua community. At the 115th anniversary juncture, the University will continue to deepen cooperation with Hong Kong in education, science and technology, and talent development, and make new and greater contributions to ensuring the steady and sustained implementation of "one country, two systems" policy. He expressed the hope that the alumni will continue to play a bridging role and make even greater achievements in serving national development and promoting Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

Chen highly recognized the important role the Tsinghua Alumni Association of Hong Kong has played over the past 70 years in uniting strengths and connecting both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong. He expressed the hope that Tsinghua alumni from both sides the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong will join hands to write a new chapter of development.

Li Chunbo, president of the Tsinghua Alumni Association of Hong Kong, reviewed the development of the association.

Group photo of attending guests

On the afternoon of that day, Yang attended the opening ceremony of the summit of the Tsinghua Alumni Association of Hong Kong’s 70 anniversary and delivered a speech. The summit focused on topics such as technological innovation and financial transformation in the era of artificial intelligence and featured two parallel sub-forums. Zhang Bo, professor of the Department of Computer Science and Technology at Tsinghua University and honorary dean of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence at Tsinghua University, and Jiao Jie, dean of the PBC School of Finance, Tsinghua University，delivered keynote speeches.

During his visit, Qiu met with Lee and held talks on deepening cooperation between Tsinghua University and Hong Kong. He also had a discussion with alumni representatives serving as members of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR, including Starry Lee Wai-king, president of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR, and listened to their views and suggestions on how Tsinghua University can better serve Hong Kong’s development.

Qiu also exchanged views with Chen on strengthening cooperation between Tsinghua University and universities in Taiwan.

Visit to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

On May 4, Qiu visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and held talks with President Teng Jin-Guang on enhancing cooperation between the two universities. Witnessed by Qiu and Teng, the Department of Electronic Engineering, the Department of Electrical Engineering, and Weiyang College of Tsinghua University respectively signed memoranda of understanding with relevant faculties of PolyU to facilitate student articulation programs.

Qiu also met with people from Hong Kong who have long supported Tsinghua University's development.

Officials from the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs participated in the visit. Heads of the Department of Electronic Engineering, the Department of Electrical Engineering, the School of Public Policy and Management, the PBC School of Finance, the Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, the Weiyang College, the Tsinghua Alumni Association, and the Tsinghua University Education Foundation, among other departments, attended relevant events.

Editors: Li Han, John Paul Grima