Political and academic heavyweights from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong on Thursday said they hope science-themed activities slated for the city motivate its residents, particularly its youngsters, to achieve.

They made their remarks while officiating on Thursday at the opening ceremony of the “Glorious Voyage: Splendid Achievements of the People’s Republic of China in Its 75 Years” — an exhibition highlighting China’s push for scientific development.

The event is organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, in collaboration with China Science and Technology Museum in Beijing, Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group, and the Hong Kong Science Museum, where the exhibition is located.

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The exhibition, which will run through Feb 5, features three sections, narrating China’s milestones in developing its petroleum industry, satellites and computer chips.

Meng Qinghai, vice-president and executive secretary of the Secretariat of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), underlined Hong Kong’s irreplaceable role in the development of the country, in his speech at the event.

Meng says he regards the exhibition as a good opportunity to spread the devoted spirits of Chinese scientists in the Hong Kong community and to motivate Hong Kong youngsters.

He said he hopes that the science and technology sectors in Hong Kong and the mainland can work closely together, capitalize on the advantages of “one country, two systems”, and proactively attract global innovation resources.

The association will keep enhancing assistance for Hong Kong’s science and technology sector and supporting the SAR’s integration into the overall development of the country, he said.

Warner Cheuk Wing-hing, Hong Kong deputy chief secretary for administration, said the exhibition is a key project to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which is on Oct 1, with the aim of promoting patriotism education by demonstrating the country’s modernization process to the public, particularly the young generation.

Cheuk added that Hong Kong has actively contributed to and integrated into the overall development the country, and will continue to play an important role in connecting the country and the world in different aspects.

Li Dahong, chairman and editor-in-chief of Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group, said the exhibition presents a multidimensional view of the achievements of the country in several areas, with pictures and texts.

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He said he hopes that through the exhibits and contents, Hong Kong people can share the proud and joy brought by the country’s achievements and be motivated to make a greater contribution to the city’s development.

Apart from the exhibition, CAST has also brought the city a drama on renowned Chinese scientist Qian Xuesen’s life, which was presented by students from the Shanghai Jiaotong University at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University on Thursday night.

On Friday, Long Lehao, chief designer of Long March rockets, and Zou Caineng, president of PetroChina Shenzhen Institute for New Energy Research, will join Lingnan University Vice-President Yao Xin, an expert in machine learning, in a talk with Hong Kong students at an open lecture.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com