More than 300 students from 20 schools in Hong Kong took part in an eye-opening open class on Monday featuring seven distinguished national experts.

The event, part of the Master Classes for Youth series, was initiated by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, aiming to deepen national education and patriotic awareness among young people nationwide. The four-day program, which began on Monday, runs through Thursday in Hong Kong and Macao.

Foundation Vice-Chairperson Shen Beili said Hong Kong’s development is closely intertwined with that of the nation, and the growth of Hong Kong youth always resonates with national progress.

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The first session in Hong Kong featured seven national-level experts covering topics such as space exploration, traditional Chinese medicine, artifact protection, artificial intelligence, and future energies. Speakers included Su Bomin, director of the Dunhuang Academy; Shan Zhiguang, director of the Information and Industrial Development Department of China National Information Center; and Wang Tianmiao, a robotics engineer at Beihang University.

Zhao Wenhai, an award-winning veteran TCM practitioner, introduced students to the fundamentals of TCM culture and led them in practicing baduanjin, a classic Chinese qigong exercise promoting physical wellness and mental calm.

Ho Ming-wai, a student at SKH Kei Hau Secondary School, said she was impressed by the hands-on experience. She added that such engaging activities helped her better understand traditional Chinese health culture.

Jiang Peng, deputy director of the National Astronomical Observatories, shared insights into China’s Tiangong space station and the “China Sky Eye” — the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope, located in Southwest China’s Guizhou province.

Wen Qiwei, another student from SKH Kei Hau Secondary School, said the lectures broadened his horizons, and the topics on space stations and quantum mechanics inspired him to pursue physics-related studies.

Lui Kam-ching, from Stewards Pooi Tun Secondary School, described the sessions as highly rewarding, saying they deepened her interest in aerospace and strengthened her admiration for the resilience and dedication of astronauts.

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In addition to thematic lectures, national experts were visiting 11 secondary schools across Hong Kong on Monday and today to interact with students face-to-face. Similar activities are scheduled in Macao on Wednesday and Thursday.

Since its launch in 2021, the Master Class for Youth program has featured over 100 academicians, scholars, and cultural luminaries, serving as a public-interest platform dedicated to enriching youth knowledge.

Zeng Ziwen contributed to the story.

Contact the writers at gangwen@chinadailyhk.com