“It is delightful to be among friends in Fujian province and Huaqiao University (HQU) after eight years.” On Nov 17, Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) paid a visit to HQU and gave a themed lecture to the faculty and students.

It was Lam’s second visit to HQU, her first being in Jan 2015 when she was the Chief Secretary of HK SAR and led a HK delegation for a visit to HQU to see Hong Kong students.

Xu Xipeng, HQU Party Secretary, and Wang Xiuyong, the Vice President of HQU, met with the visiting delegation led by Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and attended relevant events. They were accompanied by Wu Huanyan, Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and Honorary Chairman of HK Federation of Fujian Associations, and others.

In the reception room on the fourth floor of the Li Keqi Memorial Building on Quanzhou Campus, Xu Xipeng briefed Mrs.Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on the development of the university, especially the enrollment and cultivation of Hong Kong students. He thanked Lam for her continuous support of HQU, and said that HQU will continue to adhere to the educational policy of “facing overseas, facing Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan” to educate more talents for Hong Kong.

Lam expressed appreciation for HQU’s characteristics and contribution in educating students for the development of HK since its foundation 63 years ago. She said she would be in the works to facilitate more Hong Kong students to pursue further studies in the Chinese Mainland and at HQU, and mobilize more Hong Kong government departments and enterprises to recruit at HQU, so that more fresh graduates have access to job opportunities and can kick-start their careers.

At Mingde Hall of the Hong Zuhang Building, Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor delivered a lecture entitled “Decoding success of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ in HK through the Report to the 20th National Congress and China’s 2023 Two Sessions”. In the lecture, she reiterated the significance of “One Country, Two Systems”, saying that the report to the 20th CPC National Congress and the 2023 two sessions emphasized that “One Country, Two Systems” is a great innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the best institutional arrangement for Hong Kong to maintain long-term prosperity and stability, and that it is necessary to steadily advance the practice of “One Country, Two Systems” and the great cause of national reunification.

In the interactive Q&A session, Lam addressed the students' general concern on issues like welfare, employment and entrepreneurship trends in Hong Kong, and growth prospects of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. She also welcomed students to pursue further studies and seek employment in Hong Kong.

In the afternoon, Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor engaged in interactions with representatives of HK students in Qiaoyuan Students Community Center. After learning about their study and life at HQU, she gave her opinions and suggestions to the students on their study and career planning. Lam said, “You are so lucky to benefit from the living and studying experience in HK and mainland.” And she noted that HK students should pass on and carry forward the fine traditional Chinese culture that they have learned and experienced in the motherland and at HQU.”

Accompanied by Xu Xipeng, Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and her delegation attended an international art exhibition hosted by HQU College of Fine Arts to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of “the Belt and Road Initiative” and 40th Anniversary of the Reopening of the College of Fine Arts”, a themed exhibition on the cultivation of HK students at HQU”. They also visited the Quanzhou Digital Research Institute of HQU, College of the Internet of Things of HQU and the public space of “One-Stop” student community.

Heads from Department of Student Affairs, Office of Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Affairs, President’s Office, Admissions Office, the HongKong Office of the Board of Directors and other relevant departments attended the above events.

Meeting with Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor

Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor Delivering a Themed Lecture

Interact with On-site Students

Meeting with HK Students Representatives

Visit Student Community Public Space and Other Places

HK StudentsTaking Selfies with Lam

(Editor: Wei Linying)