On November 29th, a delegation of Hong Kong secondary school students and teachers participated in an educational exchange at NEFU under the theme “Encounter NEFU, Embrace the Future.” Co-organized by the Hong Kong Education Bureau and the Foreign Affairs Office of Heilongjiang Province's People’s Government, the event aimed to enhance Hong Kong youths’ understanding of northern China’s ecological landscape and the development of higher forestry education, while promoting further academic exchanges and cultural integration between youths from the Mainland and Hong Kong.

The delegation visited the China (Harbin) Forest Museum. As China’s first specialized museum dedicated to forests, it showcases an extensive collection of flora and fauna, vivid ecological scenes, and advanced audiovisual and interactive technologies, giving students and teachers a tangible, immersive experience like a “three-dimensional forest encyclopedia.” The participants explored the forest ecosystem in an immersive way, gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. They listened carefully to the explanations, often paused to ask questions, and expressed both admiration and hope for China’s vast natural resources and impressive achievements in ecological construction.

After the museum visit, the delegation attended a presentation and discussion session in Room 708 of the Aulin Building. During the session, NEFU faculty and students highlighted the university’s unique features and broad strengths across various areas. Professor Liu Tian from the College of Materials Science and Engineering delivered a presentation titled “Be Builders of Our Country’s Ecological Civilization,” systematically showcasing NEFU’s development and significant contributions as a national “Double First-Class” university supporting the national ecological civilization strategy. He addressed challenges in forestry scientific innovation and emphasized the cultivation of high-quality forestry talent. He also encouraged students from Hong Kong to embrace green ideals, take on societal responsibilities, and actively contribute to building a Beautiful China and protecting our planet.

Master’s student Zhang Yixuan from the School of Civil Engineering and Transportation and undergraduate Li Wenbing from the College of Life Sciences gave a presentation titled “NEFU Through My Eyes.” They shared the student perspective through vivid examples and engaging storytelling, depicting the real, lively, and colorful daily life on campus, allowing Hong Kong students to experience NEFU’s rich campus culture and the spirited, enterprising character of contemporary Mainland youth firsthand.

The successful organization of this study and exchange activity not only allowed Hong Kong youth to explore the ecological wonders and advanced academic developments of northern China but also acted as a bridge for two-way exchanges between Mainland and Hong Kong youth, establishing a strong foundation for fostering their sense of national identity and cultural connection.