At the beginning of late spring, friendship is cherished even more! Under the leadership of Vice Principal Mr. Wan Kwok Wing, teachers Mr. Tsoi Kwan Yin, Mr. Wong Man Tun, and Ms. Lee Yuen Ying, a group of 30 students from Secondary 3 to Secondary 5 of Hong Kong S.T.F.A. Lee Shau Kee College visited Quzhou, an ancient city in Zhejiang Province, from April 8 to 11 for a four-day exchange program.

The highlight was a visit to our sister school — Zhejiang Quzhou No. 2 High School. This institution, renowned as the “Southern Confucius Holy Land,” is the ancestral home of Confucius’ descendants and an important center for the spread of Confucian culture in Jiangnan. The school not only boasts excellent facilities and strong faculty, but is also distinguished by its Confucian heritage and spirit of innovation, making it one of the most influential key high schools in Zhejiang and across China.

Among its famous alumni is Professor Zheng Shusen, a liver transplant expert, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, foreign member of the French National Academy of Medicine, fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, professor and doctoral supervisor of surgery at Zhejiang University, deputy director of Zhejiang University Medical School, president of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, and vice chairman of the Academic Committee of Zhejiang University. His achievements testify to Quzhou No. 2 High School’s role in nurturing China’s scientific talents. Our school is honoured to be allied with such an institution, and it is truly a rare opportunity for our students to learn from them!

Victoria Harbour and Qujiang Share One Heart,

Deep Friendship Builds Strong Bonds

In Chinese culture, the pomegranate tree symbolizes auspiciousness, abundance, and prosperity of descendants. With its many seeds, it also represents family reunion and flourishing generations. Beyond being a common auspicious tree in courtyards, it has been endowed with profound meanings of ethnic unity and the continuation of life in cultural exchanges.

In 2017, then-Principal Mr. Tang Cheuk Chong, together with leaders of Quzhou No. 2 High School, planted a pomegranate tree on the school campus. Today, it has grown strong and stands as a symbol of the alliance between the two schools.

Although students of the two schools are separated geographically — one group studying and growing by Victoria Harbour, the other by the Qujiang River — when they meet and converse, it feels as if they are already close friends. They share thoughts on learning, hobbies, aspirations, worries, and joys, building genuine friendships. They exchanged social media contacts and eagerly look forward to Quzhou No. 2 High School teachers and students visiting Hong Kong to enjoy Victoria Harbour together.

Finally, we once again express our heartfelt gratitude to Secretary Mr. Zheng Youmin, Principal Mr. Wang Fei, and all the leaders of Quzhou No. 2 High School for their warm hospitality, which truly touched our hearts!

Photo