In June 2015, Renmin University started its new partnership program under the motto “moving forward together” in order to promote student exchanges between Hong Kong and Beijing. The program, developed in line with aims pursued by the Beijing Municipal Government of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, offers a host of activities designed to forge ties with schools in Hong Kong, including the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, City University of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University. A total of 230 students came to Beijing to join the program this summer.

A Taste of Chinese “Aiguo”

The launch of the "Beijing-Hong Kong Student Exchange Program" coincided with this year’s “Victory Parade” on Tiananmen Square as well as with the 2015 Beijing IAAF World Athletics Championships, offering visiting students from Hong Kong a chance to witness the patriotic energy, competitive spirit, and love of sportsmanship that could be felt all around Beijing in recent months. Together with RUC student volunteers, Hong Kong’s visiting students toured Tiananmen Square, the Great Hall of the People, Lugou Bridge and China’s museum commemorating the War of Resistance against Japan. They explored the Old Summer Palace, the Chinese Aviation Museum, and Beijing’s Olympic Park. Surrounded by these and other famous historical sites, the visiting students got to experience Chinese “aiguo” firsthand. The group rose early to watch the flag raising ceremony on Tiananmen Square; stood on the Luguo Bridge, which had outlasted the fires of war, just as the Chinese people suffered and overcame in the face of Japanese aggression; and strolled through the ruins of the Old Summer Palace, taking in the vicissitudes of modern Chinese history.

 

Touring the various exhibits at the Aviation Museum gave visiting students a chance to learn about the country’s accomplishments and developments in space flight technology. A visit to the Olympic Park with its Bird’s Nest Stadium and other architectural feats proved another highlight of the tour, followed (for one group) by an event held at the Great Hall of the People on August 8^th.

Exploring the Ancient Capital

Looking back on 3,000 years of history, Beijing can boast of its ancient cultural heritage as well as its rich contemporary culture. RUC’s "Beijing-Hong Kong Student Exchange Program" organized visits to the Great Wall, the Imperial Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, Beihai, and other important landmarks in and around Beijing. At Badaling, a favorite tourist destination along the Great Wall, students gazed in amazement at the seemingly endless winding wall, moved by the stories of workers who centuries ago constructed what is now referred to as the one “Great Wall”; further delving into the country’s history, students visited the National Palace Museum and the Summer Palace. In addition to taking in the historical sites, the students also explored various cultural and commercial centers of Beijing, including Qianmen Street, Wangfujing, Nanluogu Lane, Houhai, and other places where visitors can experience the unique charm of Beijing folk culture. Beijing’s old Hutongs were an imperative stop on the tour; Beijing roasted duck, lamb, and other specialties were tasted; and the chef’s skills were put on open display – all to the great delight of the students. The visiting students from Hong Kong also had the opportunity to experience traditional Beijing opera and other cultural highlights. At Zhongshan Park’s Music Hall, the group was treated to a performance of the classic opera "Farewell my Concubine.” Apart from sightseeing and cultural events, the program also organized lectures given by RUC faculty from the School of Foreign Languages. Students had the unique opportunity to learn about and become involved in cultural conservation and heritage projects during their stay in Beijing.

Experiencing Urban Charm

 RUC’s "Beijing-Hong Kong Student Exchange Program" featured excursions to Zhongguancun, the 798 Art District, Sanlitun, and other favored destinations full of modern urban charm, where students were not only introduced to contemporary Chinese art, but also learned about public and private entrepreneurship.

Forging Friendships

 The exchange program allowed visiting students from Hong Kong to experience a rich array of cultural events in just one short week; students fell in love with the city and also received a warm welcome from Renmin University of China. RUC volunteers spent their summer vacations to assist in the smooth launch and running of the program; over the course of two months, our student volunteers connected with over 200 students from Hong Kong, enjoying the opportunity for exchange and forging new friendships. Each incoming group was met by RUC student volunteers at the airport, who took scrupulous care of their Hong Kong guests from the students’ arrival in Mainland China until their departure. Volunteers also introduced each group to Renmin University and its history. The hard work of the volunteers earned them not only experience and an additional CV entry; many also made good friends whom they have stayed in touch with since the completion of the program last month. Overall, the program offered a unique opportunity for students from Hong Kong to experience Chinese ancient history, contemporary culture, and “aiguo” through the eyes of university students in Mainland China. In the spirit of “moving forward together,” the "Beijing-Hong Kong Student Exchange Program" seeks deeper mutual understanding in order to develop a more solid foundation for cooperation in the future.