The First Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest
08 – 11.07.2007 Study Tour to Beijing
16.06.2007 Final
14.04.2007 Semi-final
04.04.2007 Semi-finals briefing
24.03.2007 Preliminary round
The First Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest was jointly organised by Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Better Hong Kong Foundation, and Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Its main objectives were to enhance Hong Kong students’ understanding and interest towards China’s diplomatic affairs; to strengthen students’ pride towards their nation in order to further promote national education; and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
The contest was split into two parts, the first part was held in 2007 during January 1st to February 14th at the participating schools, over 70 secondary schools and almost 50,000 students took part. The second part was an inter-school contests; including a preliminary round, semi-finals and finals. The top 5 schools were awarded a study trip to Beijing, to meet leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and to visit the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse and other noted sights. 117 secondary schools and over 400 students took part in the second part of the contest.
This was the first time for an event of this nature to be held in Hong Kong, and the contest was selected as a featured activity for the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.
08 – 11.07.2007 Study Tour to Beijing
The First Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest came to an end on June 16th, 2007. Teachers and students of the top 5 schools’ teams visited Beijing from July 8th to 11th, which concluded the Contest. The Better Hong Kong Foundation’s (“The Foundation”) Communications Manager Miss Alice Mak was one of the representatives to lead the delegation.
On the day of departure, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in HKSAR, Mr. Lu Xinhua surprised the delegation when he appeared at the airport to send off the delegation. This showed the importance that Commissioner’s Office has paid to the Contest and this visit. The Commissioner wished the students to take this rare opportunity to enhance their understanding towards China’s development.
The itinerary of study tour was tight and action-packed. Apart from attending the MFA’s regular press conference, conversing with diplomats, touring the Olympic Game Stadium, the Great Walls, the Imperial Palace etc., they were also granted the opportunity to meet with Mr Yang Jiechi, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in person.
Minister Yang Jiechi said to the delegation that it was very meaningful to hold the Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest during the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. He was glad that the students showed interest towards the development of the international position of China, and that they were concerned about the country’s diplomatic affairs. He believed that the students would definitely benefit from this eye-opening experience, and that they would develop an even stronger awareness towards their country’s diplomatic matters. Finally, Minister Yang encouraged everyone by saying that they were the future of Hong Kong, the future of China, and also the future of a better world to come. He hoped that everyone would be hardworking, showed pride towards Hong Kong and China, and became important pillars for the development of Hong Kong and China. Afterwards, Minister Yang took a group photo with the students and their teachers to commemorate this special event.
The visiting group also met with Mr He Yafei, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, whom they received souvenirs from. Mr. He hoped that the students would grasp this chance, do their best to acquire new knowledge, discover their abilities, and to learn serving others, in order to contribute to Hong Kong and China’s development. On behalf of the Better Hong Kong Foundation, Miss Alice Mak thanked the Ministry for their warm hospitality, and hoped that there would be more collaboration between the Foundation and MFA in the future, to organize more enlightening events to provide a channel for Hong Kong students to learn more about their country.
The Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest received compliments from the MFA’s Department of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Affairs. Director-General of the Department Mr. Gao Zhansheng hosted a lunch to welcome the students.
Moreover, the visiting students had the chance to attend a Ministry’s Press Briefing Session. After the conference, MFA’s Spokesman Mr. Qin Gang had a friendly conversation with the students. The students made use of this chance to learn how to become a successful spokesperson. Mr. Qin said that in order to become a successful spokesperson, one must have a firm stance, and they must also have a strong passion towards their country and towards their job.
With the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games being an important event, the delegation met with Li Lingwei former badminton world champion, and currently Deputy Director of the International Relations Department of Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, who is now responsible for the promotion of the 2008 Olympic Games. During their meeting, Ms. Li introduced to the students the history of the Olympic Games and the work that has been done in preparation for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The delegation toured the Display Centre and Construction Sites of the games venues. They witnessed the main stadiums that were still under progress: the “Bird’s Nest” (National Stadium) and “the Water Cube” (National Aquatics Center).
Another memorable part of the students’ visit was the trip to the Diaoyutai Guest Statehouse. The students were specifically arranged to visit Fang Fei Villa and the 18th guesthouse in which only leaders of the visiting foreign country could stay. Students also browsed many prized relics of Diaoyutai. Other activities for the Beijing visiting group included: visiting the Jian Fu Garden which was rebuilt and donated by the China Culture Relics Protection Foundation in the Imperial Palace, Lu Qou Qiao Museum, Tiananmen Square flag raising ceremony, The Office of the Government of HKSAR of China in Beijing, and they also visited the Great Wall of China.
16.06.2007 Final
The First Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest Finals were held on June 16th, 2007 at the Hong Kong Culture Centre in Shatin. After a vigorous competition between five school teams, the CNEC Christian College, Tak Sun Secondary School and Sing Yin Secondary School were proclaimed the Champion, 1st Runner-up and 2nd Runner-up respectively. PLK Tang Yuk Tien College and La Salle College obtained Awards of Merit.
The five teams had to compete in 3 different sections including the mandatory question and answer section, the scenario improvisation section and the compete-to-answer section. Through these 3 sessions, the teams showed their diplomatic knowledge as well as their ability to improvise. In the scenario improvisation stage, a student from each team had to act as a Chinese diplomat and had 3 minutes to speak; they had to discuss issues such as China’s Peace development, China’s participation in international affairs, Hong Kong people’s protection from the consul when they were abroad, and how the minister would cope with sudden crisis, etc. Through their agility and strong supporting evidences, the students demonstrated their strong knowledge and understanding of China’s diplomacy. The teams were well-applauded by the judges and audience. In the last section, the compete-to-answer stage, the competition was even more vigorous.
After the masters of ceremony announced the winners of the contest, the officiated guests Chief Secretary of HKSAR, Mr. Rafael Hui, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s government in HKSAR, Mr. Li Gong, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in HKSAR, Mr. Lu Xinhua, Permanent Secretary of the Education Bureau, Mr. Raymond Wong, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Better Hong Kong Foundation, Dr. Ronnie Chan awarded trophies, medals, and souvenirs to the winners as well as participants from the semi-finals. The five teams from the finals were awarded to join a study tour to Beijing.
During his speech, Commissioner Lu congratulated the students and their teachers, and expressed his recognition of the students’ outstanding performance and their eagerness to compete and learn. Moreover, he felt grateful to the efforts of the Better Hong Kong Foundation and the Education Bureau of the HKSAG Government and other co-organizing units. The Commissioner encouraged the students to work hard in order to contribute to the society in the future.
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Better Hong Kong Foundation Dr. Ronnie Chan said that through the competitors’ eager and passionate participation, he witnessed the pride and interest that students held towards their country. He encouraged the students to strengthen their biliteracy and trilingualism skills, which he believed were the key to success in the international centre of Hong Kong.
Judges of the contest included Deputy Commissioner of the MFA of PRC in HKSAR, Mr. Xie Xiaoyang, Vice Chairman of the Basic Law Committee, Ms. Elsie Leung, Vice President of China Forign Affairs University, Professor Qin Yaqing, Vice President, China Institute of International Studies, Dr. Ruan Zongze and Professor Kwok Siu Tong of Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College.
14.04.2007 Semi-finals
Semi-finals of the First Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest were held on April the 14th at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. 20 teams representing their schools took part in the contest. After a day of intense competition, La Salle College, CNEC Christian College, PLK Tang Yuk Tien College, Sing Yin Secondary School Tak Sun Secondary School were able to advance to the finals.
According to the regulations, the 20 schools were divided into 4 groups of 5 schools and competed in 3 different sections including the mandatory question and answer section, the scenario improvisation section and the compete-to-answer section. Through these 3 sessions, the teams showed their diplomatic knowledge as well as their ability to improvise. In the scenario improvisation stage, a student from each team had to act as a Chinese diplomat and had 3 minutes to speak, this section was challenging for competitors as they had to improvise and discuss certain topics in merely 3 minutes.
The judges of the semi-finals included Ms. Karen Tang, Executive Director of the Better Hong Kong Foundation, Mr. Min Junfu, Deputy Commissioner of the MFA of PRC in HKSAR, Mr. Tu Wentu of the Commissioner of the MFA of PRC in HKSAR, and Professor So Wai Chor from the Open University.
04.04.2007 Semi-finals briefing
The First Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest preliminary round was held on the 24th of March. The 20 school teams who scored the most would be able to advance to the next level – the semi-finals. On April 4th 2007, the briefing and the ceremony of drawing lots were held at the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Ms. Karen Tang of the Better Hong Kong Foundation drew lots to determine the grouping and order of the competing school teams.
24.03.2007 Preliminary round
The preliminary round was held on March 24th, 2007 at the Lam Woo International Conference Center of the Baptist University. The contest was a written test; the 20 teams with the highest scores would be able to proceed to the next level. Question topics included Chinese diplomatic facts, Hong Kong’s history with the diplomats, etc. 117 local secondary schools, with more than 400 students, participated in the written competition.
20 schools were to advance to the semi-finals on April 14th, 2007, and 5 teams from the semi-finals were to advance to the finals on June 16th, 2007.
The 20 schools winning teams to the semi-finals included:
1. Baptist Lui Ming Choi Secondary School
2. PLK Tang Yuk Tien College
3. Ying Wa College
4. CCC Ming Kei College
5. Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) College
6. Immaculate Heart of Mary College
7. La Salle College
8. SKH Lam Kau Mow Secondary School
9. Yan Chai Hospital Wong Wha San Secondary School
10. SKH Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School
11. St. Catharine’s School For Girls
12. Tak Sun Secondary School
13. CNEC Christian College
14. T.W.G.Hs. Kap Yan Directors’ College
15. Sing Ying Secondary School
16. Sha Tin Methodist College
17. Hong Kong Chinese women’s Club College
18. Shatin Pui Ying College
19. PHC Wing Kwong College
20. SKH Lui Ming Choi Secondary School
Please visit http://quiz.fmcoprc.gov.hk for more information about the Contest.
On the day of departure, Commissioner Lu Xinhua saw the visiting group off at the airport
Students took a picture before the “Chinese People Fight against Japanese War Museum”
Students visited Lu Qou Qiao
The Foundation’s Communications Manager Miss Alice Mak (3rd from right) with Commissioner Lu (4th from right)
Students visited the construction work sites of Olympic game venues
Model of the Olympic game venues
Students bought a lot of souvenirs at the souvenir shop inside the Organizing Committee’s office building
“Ju Yong Guan” – The First Gate in the World
Group photo at Ju Yong Guan
Students watched the solemn Tiananmen Square flag raising ceremony
Students visited Jian Fu Juan Garden which was rebuilt and donated by the China Culture Relics Protection Foundation in the Imperial Palace, and was not open to the public
MFA’s Spokesman Mr. Qin Gang had a friendly conversation with the students.
Mr. Qin Gang took photo with students in front of the spokesman’s stage
Group photo at the Office of the Government of HKSAR of China in Beijing
Mr. Gao Zhansheng , Director-General of MFA’s Department of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Affairs, introduced to students the work of the Department.
Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei encouraged students to do their best to acquire new knowledge, discover their abilities, in order to contribute to Hong Kong and China’s development.
Minister Yang Jiechi met the students in person and he hoped that everyone would be hardworking, showed pride towards Hong Kong and China, and became important pillars for the development of Hong Kong and China.
Group photo at Diaoyutai Guest Statehouse
the students’ outstanding performance won the applause of the guests and audience
La Salle College students
PLK Tang Yuk Tien College’s students
1st runner-up: Tak Sun Secondary School
2nd runner-up: Sing Yin Secondary School
The competing teams in the final round. The front row is CNEC Christian College students who won the cup
The Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman, Mr. Ronnie Chan spoke at the ceremony.
Former Chief Secretary of HKSAR, Mr. Rafael Hui, awarded the trophy to the Champion, CNEC Christian College.
Commissioner Lu Xinhua presented souvenir to officiating guest Mr. Rafael HUI.
Commissioner Lu Xinhua presented souvenir to officiating guest Mr. Li Gang
The Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman, Dr. Ronnie Chan presented souvenir to the Chief Judge, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Xie Xiaoyan.
The Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman, Dr. Ronnie Chan presented souvenir to the one of the judges Vice Chairman of the Basic Law Committee, Ms. Elsie Leung
The Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman, Dr. Ronnie Chan presented souvenir to the one of the judges Vice President of China Foriegn Affairs University, Professor Qin Yaqing
The Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman, Dr. Ronnie Chan presented souvenir to the one of the judges Vice President, China Institute of International Studies, Dr. Ruan Zongze
The Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman, Dr. Ronnie Chan presented souvenir to the one of the judges Professor Kwok Siu Tong of Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College.
The officiating guests, represnetatives of the organizing parties, all other guests and students took a group photo after the ceremony.
Members of the Foundation took photo with the officating guests: (left from the midle row): Mr. Leung Wai Fung, Miss Winnie Ng, Mr. Woo Chu and Mr. Roy Chung
As a judge of the contest, Foundation’s executive director Ms. Karen Tang (1st from right) paid close attention to the students’ performance.
As a judge of the contest, Foundation’s executive director Ms. Karen Tang (1st from right) paid close attention to the students’ performance.
Foundation’s executive director, Ms. Karen Tang (5th from left, last row), students, master of ceremony and judges take part in a group photo
The competition on stage is vigorous; and the audiences off stage are equally anxious
One of the five teams to proceed to the finals: Sing Yin Secondary School
One of the five teams to proceed to the finals: Tak Sun Secondary School
One of the five teams to proceed to the finals: CNEC Christian College
One of the five teams to proceed to the finals: P.L.K. Tang Yuk Tien College
One of the five teams to proceed to the finals: La Salle College
Foundation’s executive director Ms. Karen Tang draws lots
Ms. Karen Tang presents the ballots indicating the order in which the students will speak
Students working hard at the examination venue
Deputy Commissioner Mr. Xie Xiaoyan talking to students about how they prepared for the competition
