Hong Kong Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin on Saturday urged teachers to grasp technological changes and enhance their professional capabilities as artificial intelligence continues to make advances.

Choi made the remarks at the 30th Gala for Gardeners of Chinese Nation organized by the Ministry of Education in Beihai, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, where she led a delegation of nearly 80 principals and teachers of secondary schools, primary schools, kindergartens and special schools from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

With artificial intelligence as its theme, the event this year aimed to promote professional exchanges and cooperation among Chinese education practitioners from across the country and overseas.

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Speaking at the opening ceremony, Choi emphasized that teachers need to continuously strengthen themselves and collaborate for progress.

At present, new technologies such as artificial intelligence are reshaping the form of education, Choi said, adding that it is imperative for teachers to not only keep abreast of the times, but also grasp technological changes and enhance their professional capabilities.

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"In alignment with the national strategies for digital education and artificial intelligence, the Education Bureau has been proactively working along four directions, namely, enhancing students' digital literacy and skills; strengthening professional training on digital education for teachers; optimizing digital education ancillary infrastructure; and strengthening ties among local, mainland and international innovation and technology institutions, tertiary institutions and relevant sectors for greater synergy," she said.

Choi also pointed out that for more than 30 years, the event has built a cross-regional and cross-cultural professional platform which enables teachers to learn from each other, explore and innovate.

Choi said she also hoped it would further promote and deepen cooperation among teachers in fostering the development of high quality education to provide talent for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and contribute to building the nation into a leading country in education.