Security Bureau youth groups’ study tour to Shaanxi and Beijing completes first leg in Xi’an (with photos)

     Led by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, members of the Security Bureau (SB) Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum and non-Chinese speaking students of Project Lighthouse today (August 16) completed their three-day visit and exchange activities in Xi'an. The youth members will continue their tour on history and innovation and technology in Yan'an and Beijing during the next five days to learn about the history, culture and latest development of the country. 

     Arriving in Xi'an on August 14, the tour group visited various heritage and historic landmarks including the magnificent fleet of terracotta warriors and horses and other valuable artefacts at the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum. They also visited the Shaanxi History Museum, the Tang Paradise modelled on royal gardens of the Tang dynasty, and the Datang Everbright City that showcases the culture of high Tang. In addition, the group enjoyed a singing and dancing performance based on "The Song of Everlasting Regret" by poet Bai Juyi of the Tang dynasty.

     The group met with Standing Committee Member and Head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee, Mr Li Mingyuan, yesterday (August 15). The Chairman of the SB Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum, Ms Cheng Cheung-ling, was in attendance. Thanking them for their full support and co-ordination on various arrangements for the study tour, Mr Tang said that the members benefited a lot from the rich programme and gained a deep impression about the world-class historic landmarks and heritage in Shaanxi Province, which allowed them to realise the importance the country attaches to heritage conservation and inheritance as well as the long Chinese history.

     The tour members today visited iHARBOUR of Xi'an Jiaotong University to learn about advanced technologies of the country and the Yisushe Theater cultural block to learn about the arts and culture of Qinqiang. They also met with the Secretary of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League and Chairman of the Provincial Youth Federation, Mr Xu Yongsheng. Representatives of the youth members shared their feelings and remarked that the journey has enhanced their understanding of the development and culture of the country. Finally, the tour members completed their visit in Xi'an after watching a traditional welcome ceremony at Yongning Gate of the Xi'an City Wall and going to the tower.

     The tour members will go to Yan'an for a two-day visit tomorrow (August 17). The Permanent Secretary for Security, Mr Patrick Li, will lead the youth members to visit and attend a class at the Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor, which is also known as the first mausoleum in China. They will also attend a lecture at Yan'an University to learn about the Yan'an spirit and its values in modern times. In addition, the group will visit the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall and watch the musical "Yan'an Nursery" based on stories of child caring during the War of Resistance to learn more about the modern revolution history of the country. 

     Mr Tang will return to Hong Kong today and join the study tour on August 19 (Saturday) for a two-day visit to Beijing. 

     To implement the initiative in the Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address to deepen the participation of government departments and civil service grades in youth work, the SB established the SB Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum and the Project Lighthouse youth project last year. Through diverse activities, the projects enabled distinguished members of various youth uniformed groups of disciplined services with great potential and non-Chinese speaking students to develop their potential and broaden their horizons. It also strengthened the national identity of members of the Leaders' Forum.