LegCo Panel on Education concludes duty visit to Shanghai and Suzhou (with photos)

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The delegation of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Education concluded its duty visit to Shanghai and Suzhou today (August 15).

     On the last day of the visit, the delegation visited the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Experience Centre in the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) in the morning to learn about the development of the high-technology park in Suzhou, as well as its latest technological achievements and innovative products of AI. Approved to be established by the State Council in 1994, SIP is a major co-operation project between China and Singapore. By 2023, the park has a cluster of over 1 700 relevant enterprises in the field of AI.

     The delegation then visited the Silk Road School (SRS) of Renmin University of China (Suzhou). Noting that SRS was established by Renmin University of China to actively support the Belt and Road Initiative, Members shared experience with the representatives of the University on internationalisation of higher education.

     In the afternoon, the delegation had lunch with the leaders of the Suzhou Municipal People's Congress and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, including promoting co-operation between Hong Kong and Suzhou, strengthening the development of research-academic-industry collaboration, as well as attracting, nurturing and retaining talent, etc. Members then visited the Suzhou Revolution Museum to understand Suzhou's efforts in promoting patriotic education. 

     In summing up the four-day duty visit, the delegation leader, Professor Priscilla Leung described the visit as successful and fruitful. Professor Leung said, "Members obtained a first-hand understanding of the latest developments of education and innovative technology in Shanghai and Suzhou. Members were impressed by the remarkable achievements of the two cities in enhancing the high-quality development of education, promoting AI technologies through science and education, expediting research-academic-industry collaboration, activating transformation of research and development outcomes as well as nurturing of talents, which could serve as a valuable reference for Hong Kong." Professor Leung believed this visit would facilitate the discussion between Members and the Administration on how Hong Kong can complement the national strategy of invigorating the country through science and education, including fostering the development of Hong Kong into an international education hub and promoting patriotic education more effectively.

     Professor Leung expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for assisting in liaison, as well as the arrangements made by Shanghai and Suzhou's Municipal Governments, and the relevant bodies, making the duty visit concluded smoothly.

     The delegation, consisting of 14 LegCo Members, visited Shanghai and Suzhou from August 12 to 15. The delegation was led by the Chairman of the LegCo Panel on Education, Professor Priscilla Leung. The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, also participated in the duty visit in Shanghai.