A Special Investigation on the Cultural History of the Northern Guangdong Yao Ethnic Group Winter Camp for Macao and Hong Kong Youth Scholars in the Small Satellite Program Winter Camp of Ice and Snow Romance 2025 Harbin Institute of Technology 1st Winter School: Tracing Harbin, The Future of Ice and Snow Northeast Normal University 2025 Hong Kong-Macau Mainland University Ice and Snow Culture Exchange Camp Harbin Institute of Technology—Smart Ice Port, Autonomous Future Hong Kong Youth Jiangsu Science and Culture Exchange

This winter, the Office of Academic Links (Mainland and Regional) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong organized a wide range of winter interflow activities for students in collaboration with partners in the Chinese Mainland. Thematic activities, attracting over 130 participants, covered academic seminars, cultural exploration, ethnic history study, technological innovation workshops, and competition.

One of the activities focused on ice and snow culture and sports, with students visiting Harbin to experience winter sports firsthand and learn about the development of the ice and snow industry in Northeast China. Ethnic cultural studies included visits to Guangdong cities, such as Shaoguan, to explore their history and social characters, learning more about the diversity of Chinese culture. These exchange activities spanned Heilongjiang, Jilin, Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Hunan provinces, providing students with multidimensional opportunities to have a deeper understanding of national development and regional characteristics, broaden horizons, and cultivate a sense of national identity.

Here are some sharing from participating students:
“This seven-day Jiangsu tech-cultural exchange was more than a trip, it was an awakening that bridged tradition and innovation. The itinerary balanced “heritage” and “innovation”: exploring Jiangnan culture at historic residences, feeling craftsmanship through hands-on heritage workshops, and witnessing China’s leap from “Made in China” to “Intelligently Manufactured in China” in high-tech zones. At the Brain-Machine Interface Innovation Centre, assistive technologies and smart eldercare showed how science truly improves lives.”

“It was my first time traveling alone, buying tickets, spending the night at an airport, and I learned courage and independence. Harbin’s coldness fascinated me, but its warmth came from people. Meeting my HKU roommate was a delightful surprise; we had early mornings, bus rides, and cared for each other when sick, making a foreign land feel like home. A Spanish student’s words, “Everything will pass,” revealed optimism and sparked my dream to visit Spain. This journey left an indelible mark—tears and laughter, risks and rewards.”

“This study let me touch the intersection of past and present. The sunset over Danxia Mountain convinced me that nature is the most enduring witness. Yao embroidery was striking: in a culture without written language, women stitched Pan King symbols and patterns into garments, embedding heritage in daily life. The Pan King Festival’s dances and songs radiated rhythm and vitality. I realized that preserving cultural roots allows every tradition to flourish in the new era.”