On November 3, the "Shaangong Lecture Hall" public lecture series was held in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the first time. The event sought to build consensus through innovative thinking, strengthen national identity through civic education, and contribute intellectual vitality to Hong Kong's prosperity, stability and the development of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.

Jointly organized by Renmin University of China (RUC) and The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), the event attracted nearly 1,000 participants, including EdUHK faculty and students, RUC alumni from various sectors, and members of the media. During the opening ceremony, RUC President Lin Shangli and EdUHK President John Lee Chi-kin delivered welcoming remarks.

Lin Shangli, president of Renmin University of China (RUC) [Photo/ruc.edu.cn]

Lin Shangli emphasized that the "Shaangong Lecture Hall" public lecture series seeks to help young people in Hong Kong better understand the nation's development achievements and align their personal aspirations with the broader vision for Hong Kong and the whole nation.

Tracing RUC's roots to the Shaanbei Public School, founded during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931–45), Lin noted that as China embarks on its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–30), the public lecture series is expected to inherit this enduring spirit, unite intellectual strength, deepen national identity and contribute to the development of the Greater Bay Area. He added that the platform will better foster exchanges between youth from the mainland and Hong Kong, encourage learning through service and contribution, and infuse lasting vitality into Hong Kong's prosperity, stability and the steady advancement of "One Country, Two Systems" and national rejuvenation.

John Lee Chi-kin, president of The Education University of Hong Kong [Photo/ruc.edu.cn]

John Lee Chi-kin remarked that the "Shaangong Lecture Hall" is not only a platform for academic exchange but also an important vehicle for promoting Chinese cultural thought and scholarly achievements in Hong Kong. Focusing on major theoretical and practical issues, it aims to serve as an innovative and influential classroom, and as a model for integrating ideological and civic education across universities and schools on the mainland. He highlighted that this first Hong Kong session marks a milestone in RUC and EdUHK's collaboration to advance patriotic education and talent cultivation. RUC's leading scholars in economics, finance and environmental studies delivered lectures and interacted directly with EdUHK faculty and students, exemplifying educational innovation and deep cooperation between the two institutions.

Before the opening ceremony, the Peking Opera Troupe of the RUC Affiliated Primary School presents a captivating performance featuring excerpts from such classic plays as Battle of Dingjun Mountain, Farewell My Concubine and Shajiabang. [Photo/ruc.edu.cn]

Launched by RUC in 2023, the "Shaangong Lecture Hall" public lecture series unites experts from diverse fields to deliver insightful and accessible interpretations of key theoretical and practical issues. Over eight seasons, it has hosted 241 sessions, reaching more than 200,000 participants both online and offline.

Looking ahead, RUC plans to develop the lecture series as a platform to deepen national education in Hong Kong, innovate models for patriotic education and talent development, and enhance Hong Kong youth's understanding and identification with the nation's development. The university also aims to build it into the first alumni lifelong-learning and cross-border public education platform in Hong Kong and Macao, establishing a replicable model for cross-border public lectures and cultural exchange.