From June 30 to July 4, the Hong Kong In-service Teachers revisited Dalian on a Mainland Study Tour (2025/26) and carried out a series of exchange activities. Hosted by the Education Bureau of Hong Kong, the programme aims to foster a stronger sense of national identity among primary and secondary school teachers in Hong Kong, deepen exchanges and mutual learning in education between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and jointly advance high-quality development of education on both sides. This study tour was first initiated in Dalian in 2025, and Dalian Maritime University (DMU) has undertaken its organization for two consecutive years running.

On the morning of July 1, the opening ceremony was held at the Lingshui International Conference Hall of Dalian Maritime University.

Ji Yulong, Vice President of DMU; Sun Quan, Second-level Inspector (in charge of overall work) of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Dalian Municipal People’s Government; Yang Jie, Deputy Director of Dalian Municipal Bureau of Education; and Fung Pak-ho, Director of Liaison Office of the HKSAR Government in Liaoning, attended the opening ceremony. Ma Mingfei, Director of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office of DMU, presided over the ceremony.

On behalf of DMU, Ji Yulong extended a warm welcome to the study tour group. He stated that DMU will give full play to its strengths in exchanges with Hong Kong. Drawing on its unique maritime cultural resources, DMU will help Hong Kong teachers immerse themselves in the development of the education in Chinese Mainland and appreciate the charm of marine culture. Through communication and interaction, both sides will explore new ideas and paths for integrated and innovative education development. Together, we will nurture young talents with a strong sense of national identity, global vision, and a willingness to shoulder the missions of our times.

Sun Quan remarked that Dalian and Hong Kong share cultural roots and profound friendship. For a long time, the two have maintained close exchanges across education, culture, economy and trade, yielding fruitful cooperation outcomes. He expressed the hope that this teacher study tour and exchange could serve as a bond to continuously enrich the connotations of bilateral cooperation and innovate exchange models, creating better conditions for exchanges of teachers and students, academic communication and joint talent cultivation between the two sides.

Yang Jie stated that the educational communities of Dalian and Hong Kong have maintained close and frequent exchanges. Reciprocal study visits for teachers and students, exchanges in teaching and research, and mutual sharing of experience have forged a friendship bridge that connects hearts, deepens mutual understanding and drives joint progress. He hoped that this immersive study tour would serve as a new starting point for educational circles on both sides to further deepen exchanges, expand cooperation scope and diversify exchange formats. Together, they will pool wisdom and strength to cultivate young talents ready to undertake the great mission of national rejuvenation.

In his address, Fung Pak-ho expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Dalian Municipal People’s Government, Dalian Municipal Bureau of Education, and DMU. He noted that Dalian and Hong Kong have long enjoyed a profound foundation and yielded fruitful outcomes in educational exchanges. He hoped this study tour would enable Hong Kong teachers to gain a comprehensive, multi-angle understanding of Liaoning Province and Dalian, thereby building a bridge for educational exchanges between the two sides. This initiative aims to foster mutual learning in teaching practices and share educational resources, helping more Hong Kong youths understand mainland’s development and deepen their patriotic sentiments toward both the nation and the Hong Kong SAR.

Representing the delegation, teacher Wong Man-wai stated in his speech that as educators entrusted with nurturing the next generation, they aimed to earnestly draw upon Dalian’s exemplary experiences in basic education and deeply appreciate the remarkable achievements of China’s shipping industry. He emphasized integrating these observations, reflections, and learning into daily classroom teaching to continuously strengthen students’ sense of national identity.

The guests then participated in a themed activity during which they crafted traditional sailor’s knot handicrafts featuring distinctive maritime traditions.

Following the opening ceremony, Professor Han Qing, Director of the Research Center for Maritime History and Culture at DMU, delivered a lecture titled “The Maritime Silk Road and China’s Navigational History”. He systematically outlined the millennia-long evolution of China’s maritime civilization, vividly showcasing the profound heritage and contemporary accomplishments of the nation’s shipping endeavors to the Hong Kong teachers.

On July 2, the delegation visited No.1 Middle School of the Hi-tech Industrial Zone to observe classes and engage in professional exchanges. Through observing demonstration lessons and viewing activities of the students’ club, the Hong Kong teachers gained a comprehensive understanding of the innovative practices in patriotism education at the basic education stage in Dalian. These experiences broadened their educational horizons and offered fresh perspectives and valuable inspirations for their professional development. Yang Xuhua, Party Branch Secretary of the school, delivered a lecture titled Practical Pathways for Promoting Patriotism Education and Teacher Growth under High-Quality Development in the New Era. Drawing on authentic front-line teaching cases, the lecture provided an in-depth interpretation of the core mission of teachers in the new era—to “impart knowledge, guide students, and cultivate virtue.” It offered robust theoretical guidance and practical, actionable references for educators to conduct moral and ethics education and achieve professional growth.

The successful conclusion of this exchange activity has effectively expanded the scope of educational collaboration between Dalian and Hong Kong, deepening the understanding and recognition among Hong Kong’s education community regarding the mainland’s education system and maritime culture. Moving forward, Dalian Maritime University will continue to leverage its distinctive strengths in maritime studies, further deepen educational exchanges and cooperation with Hong Kong, enrich exchange platforms, and pioneer innovative models of collaboration. The university remains committed to contributing its unique strength to the integrated development of education in both cities.

During their visit, the delegation also toured various sites for learning and inspection, including Hengli Petrochemical Co., Ltd., Hengli Heavy Industry Group Co., Ltd., the vessels Yu Kun and Xinhongzhuan, and Dalian Commodity Exchange.