Over 80 members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison, led by Major General Dong Wenjiu, spent a full day at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), meeting and interacting with the staff and students in a diversified range of activities.
This is the first time the PLA Hong Kong Garrison visited HKUST. At the welcoming ceremony, HKUST President Paul Chu said that the People’s Liberation Army is the actualization of the strength and dignity of the Chinese nation, and the officers exhibited lofty patriotism and military discipline, which are inspirational to the staff and students of HKUST. Meanwhile, HKUST Students’ Union President Mr Max Yeung expressed his appreciation for the contribution of the Garrison to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Meanwhile, Major General Dong Wenjiu thanked HKUST for their hospitality and program arrangements enabling the officers to get a taste of the university’s unique ambience.
The guests then proceeded to HKUST’s lawn for a tree-planting and plaque-unveiling ceremony to mark this historical occasion.
They also visited some of the research facilities, including the Biotechnology Research Institute, the Materials Characterization and Preparation Facilities, the Biological NMR Center, and the Coastal Marine Laboratory.
Lunch was hosted by HKUST Council Chairman Dr Marvin Cheung and President Paul Chu. About 100 staff and students took this golden opportunity to talk and make friends with the visiting PLA officers. The officers also toured the student hostel facilities.
Two lectures were arranged for the visitors and the HKUST community. Prof David Zweig, Director of HKUST’s Center for China’s Transnational Relations, outlined China’s resource diplomacy, while Prof Jin Canrong, Associate Dean of the School of International Relations of the Renmin University of China, discussed the current international political scene and China’s diplomatic strategies.
Before leaving the campus, the PLA officers enjoyed a light moment of sport activities with the HKUST staff and students. Major General Dong Wenjiu played a game of table tennis against Prof Edmond Ko of HKUST, while HKUST’s students battled against the PLA officers in the basketball court.
HKUST President Paul Chu said, “This visit by the PLA Hong Kong Garrison is a good starting point for a long-term relationship with us which, I am sure, will grow and prosper with time.”
For media enquiries, please feel free to contact :
Ross Lai
Tel: 2358 6306 / 9103 2928
Email: rosslai@ust.hk
Donna Wong
Tel: 2358 6317
Email: donnaw@ust.hk
