A six-day program commenced in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Aug 12, during which a cohort of students from Hong Kong universities will delve into the stories of the Ningbo-born entrepreneurs while immersing themselves in the city's vibrant development.

During the opening ceremony, Zhang Jinchuan, deputy general manager of the organizer Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group, highlighted the close geographical and emotional bond shared by Ningbo and Hong Kong.

He emphasized notable figures such as the Ningbo-born entrepreneurs like Pao Yue-kong and Run Run Shaw, who, alongside Hong Kong's prominent leaders of Ningbo ancestry, Tung Chee-hwa and Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, have left an indelible impact on economic, cultural, and interpersonal exchanges between the two cities.

Echoing this sentiment, Tong Danxia, deputy director of the publicity department of the Ningbo Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, underscored the robust relationship between Ningbo and Hong Kong, emphasizing Hong Kong's status as Ningbo's pivotal trading partner.

She encouraged the students to embrace their roles as cultural ambassadors, contributing to the ongoing dialogue and collaboration between the two regions.

The program's schedule includes a diverse array of enriching activities. The students will visit the Ningbo Bang Museum and Ningbo University, uncovering the rich history of this influential merchant community while witnessing the astounding transformation of Ningbo Port, from a humble river port to the world's largest, through visits to the Ningbo Zhoushan Port and the Port Museum in Beilun district.

They will also explore landmarks like the Tianyi Pavilion, immersing themselves in local fishing culture and intangible cultural heritage, while also gaining insights into Ningbo's storied past and present. Visits to the scientific institute and local enterprises will showcase Ningbo's burgeoning innovative landscape and dynamism.

"I've long dreamed of visiting Ningbo, hopinh to uncover my family's roots and Ningbo's cultural depths," said He Weilun, a participant from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, whose ancestors are from Ningbo, “My grandfather's tales of shipping in Ningbo ignited my curiosity about this port city. The stories of the Ningbo merchants also captivate me, and I am eager to learn how our ancestors ventured out from Ningbo to achieve success. Their cooperation and pursuit of mutual benefits may hold the key to their triumphs, something I aspire to emulate.”