The 5 winning teams of the 3rd HK Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest with a total of 45 members started their study tour by visiting Tianjin on 10 August 2009. During their stay in Tianjin, the group visited the Binhai New Area to learn about the planning of new urban development in Tianjin, and toured Tianjin Museum. On 12 August 2009, the study tour moved to Beijing where Ms. Karen Tang, Executive Director of the Foundation joined the group to support the event. During the 4-day visit in Beijing, the group visited China Foreign Affairs University and Training Bureau of General Administration of Sport, and toured Olympic Venues like the “Bird’s Nest” and the “Water Cube” as well as tourist attractions like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. The highlight of the trip would be the meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Mr. He Yafei at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where they also had exchanges with leading officials of Department of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Affairs, Policy Planning Department and Information Department. On 16 August, the group returned to Hong Kong and received by Commissioner Lu Xinhua at the airport. After the study tour, students should have gained a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China’s foreign affairs, national conditions as well as the history, development and culture of Beijing and Tianjin.
Note: In view of the wide spread of H1N1 virus in the community and taking into consideration the health management issue, the Final was cancelled and the 5 teams were all named winning teams with no distinction, and the study tour to Pearl River Delta region has been replaced by book coupons.
Visit the Bird’s Nest during the study tour to Beijing and Tianjin
Visit the China Foreign Affairs University
Students are thrilled to meet with Vice Foreign Minister Mr. He Yafei (7th left) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs