The Tour of Our College Staff to Beijing and Shanghai

In the third day morning, our group went for a tour of the Normal University of Huadong. There we attended the Multi-media Classroom and learnt of how they apply IT technologies on teaching. In the afternoon, we dropped by the old residence of Mr Sun Yet-sen in Shanghai before flying off to Beijing.

The fourth day morning, we went over to the Ministry of Education to learn about the situation of private higher education in China. We were warmly welcomed by
Mr Wei Ke, the Deputy Minister; Mr Liu Da Wai, the Deputy Head, Mr Li Dong Xian and Mr Chang Dong, of the Office of Development and Planning. After the meeting, we had lunch with the officers.

In the afternoon, we visited the Faculty of International Relations and the Museum of Excavated Cultural Objects at Peking University. Since our Supervisor is an alumnus of the University, he was particularly excited. He and Professor He Bin, Head of Center for Asian Studies, shared memories and stories of old friends. Professor He was a former President of Peking University. In the meeting, both agreed that our two institutions should strengthen the bond by doing research together on Southeast Asia. The co-operation would definitely benefit the cultural exchanges of the three places along the two shores.

On the fifth day morning, we went to see Mr Liu Min Zhi of the Office of Hong Kong and Macau, at the State Ministry. Mr Liu introduced us to the phenomenal changes of the last twenty years in China and what are expected of the future.

That afternoon, we went to visit Tsinghua University and was greeted by Dr He Ke of the Office of the University. Dr He led us to a tour of the university library, the Department of Architecture and the rest of the campus. When we sat down with Professor Hu, the Vice-President, he suggested that our two institutions should engage in exchange students and teaching staffs, as well as to sponsor research seminars together. Professor Hu said that their university would like to set up short-term courses for our students as ways of strengthening our scholarly exchanges.

In the afternoon, we went to the Office of Taiwan Affairs of the State Ministry, and was greeted by Mr Zhou Min Wai, the Assistant Director; Mr Li Wu Yi, Mr Chang Zhuang Min, Mr Wei You Long and others. That evening, the State Ministry invited our group to dinner at the Diaoyutai Hotel. It was a joyful evening.

On the sixth day, we went to Jinsou Agricultural Company Ltd for a tour of the latest agricultural technologies, such as earthless planting, breeds improvement, genetic engineering, etc. In the afternoon, we went sightseeing at the Forbidden City, before heading home to Hong Kong.