HONG KONG, Aug. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Policy Research Institute (HKPRI) has officially opened its new Guangdong Representative Office in Qianhai, marking a significant expansion of its presence in the Greater Bay Area. To celebrate this milestone, HKPRI, in partnership with the Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education (YCCECE), co-hosted the inaugural Greater Bay Area Early Childhood Education Summit on August 20, 2024, in Shenzhen. The event attracted around 150 experts, scholars, and practitioners from China and abroad, with online viewership surpassing 1.8 million.
Strengthening Connections in the Greater Bay Area
Mr. Li Naiyiu, Director of HKPRI, emphasized the importance of the new office in fostering professional exchanges within the Greater Bay Area. “With the support of all parties, the Guangdong Representative Office will continue to provide practical and feasible recommendations for national development and participation in global affairs, promoting the growth of the Greater Bay Area,” he stated.
The opening ceremony featured speeches from Mr. Li Naiyiu and other key officials, including Mr. Liu Maozhou, Level I Bureau Rank Official from the Education and Technology Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong SAR, and Mr. Wang Jinxia, Deputy Director-General of the Authority of Qianhai-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen. The officials highlighted the significance of the office in enhancing collaboration between institutions across borders.
Mr. Liu Maozhou remarked, “The establishment of the Guangdong Representative Office by HKPRI in Qianhai represents the evolution of Hong Kong-Shenzhen cooperation from ‘collaboration’ to ‘integration’.” He added that Qianhai, as a key area for deep integration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong SAR, will play a crucial role in the coordinated development of service and manufacturing industries. He expressed hope that the office would provide high-quality policy suggestions to promote the integration of both regions.
Mr. Wang Jinxia echoed these sentiments, noting that the new office would serve as a springboard for HKPRI to exert its influence, leveraging research resources from both Hong Kong SAR and the Chinese mainland. He assured that Qianhai would continue to support HKPRI in expanding its research capabilities and enhancing the influence of think tanks.
Professor Guo Yong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee at Tsinghua University, delivered a special address via video, praising the establishment of the Guangdong Representative Office and its contributions to public policy research and education. He expressed confidence that the office would significantly contribute to the development of the Greater Bay Area, particularly in education, technology, and talent innovation.
Launching the Greater Bay Area Early Childhood Education Summit
The inaugural summit, co-hosted by HKPRI and YCCECE, focused on the theme “Research and Practice of Quality Early Childhood Education in China and Abroad.” Professor Allan Yuen, President of YCCECE, expressed his honor in co-hosting the event, highlighting the importance of bringing together experts to exchange ideas and promote high-quality early childhood education in the Greater Bay Area and beyond.
The summit featured four keynote addresses. Professor Shi Ping and Dr. Zhang Ye from YCCECE presented their recent research on “Kindergarten Quality Assessment Standards in the Chinese mainland.” Professor Iram Siraj, OBE, from Oxford University, discussed the impact of professional development on the quality of early childhood education, sharing findings from a randomized controlled trial. Professor Li Minyi from Beijing Normal University presented on the development and quality enhancement of the preschool teacher workforce, comparing local and international experiences. Dr. Huang Runke shared her research on improving teaching quality and promoting child development through evidence-based professional development programs in Shenzhen.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Professor Shi Ping, summarizing the key insights shared during the summit.