As a core hub of the Maritime Silk Road under the Belt and Road Initiative, Xiamen is also one of China’s first special economic zones. Marking the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the Xiamen Special Economic Zone, The Dragon Foundation and The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) jointly organised the Youth High Speed Rail Trip, bringing students and working youth to Xiamen, Fujian, by high-speed rail for an immersive journey into the country’s innovation, technology and rich cultural heritage.
Professor Annie Tam Kam-lan, Honorary Secretary of The Dragon Foundation, and Kenneth Chen Wei-on, President of the HKFYG, led the delegation. More than 20% of the participants were travelling by high-speed rail for the first time, while nearly 85% were visiting Xiamen for the first time.
During the trip, the young participants visited national and private enterprises, including Xiamen Xiangyu Group, a Fortune Global 500 company, as well as Xiamen International Bank, Xiamen Airlines and Meitu Technologies, gaining a broader understanding of Xiamen’s economic model, new quality productive forces and innovative technologies. They also explored historic and cultural landmarks such as Gulangyu, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and Jimei School Village, known as a cradle of education, where they discovered the essence of Minnan culture and experienced the distinctive character of a hometown of overseas Chinese.
A self-described history lover, Cyrus Tsang Chiu Cheuk-nam has long been fascinated by history and culture. He admitted that his previous understanding of special economic zones had largely come from textbook figures and broad descriptions. After visiting the Xiamen Special Economic Zone Memorial Hall in person, he saw through artefacts and historical records how Xiamen had transformed over the years, and gained a much more vivid sense of China’s speed and efficiency.
With the rise of artificial intelligence and new quality productive forces, Cyrus had once worried that traditional professions such as accounting might one day be replaced. However, after visiting King Long Motor Group, he saw how enterprises were investing in innovative design, green technologies such as electric vehicles and light rail, and technological transformation. The experience helped ease his concerns. It not only sparked his curiosity about AI, but also broadened his perspective on environmental issues.
Yang Chun-pan, who has a strong interest in STEM, was particularly excited by the one-to-one train carriage and simulated driving experience during the visit to Xiamen Rail Transit Group. He said such experiences were rarely available in Hong Kong. By trying the simulated emergency stop and precise platform alignment, he came to appreciate the professional standards required in railway operations.
He also took the opportunity to ask questions about foldable screen technology during the visit to Tianma Display Technology, and was deeply impressed by the automated and unmanned production models on the Mainland. Aspiring to pursue a future career in electrical and mechanical engineering or ICT, he said the trip had deepened his understanding of railway systems and AI-enabled production, while strengthening his confidence in his future direction.
Kitty Chan Cheuk-yui was most impressed by the academic lecture at Xiamen University. A finance professor explained the Belt and Road Initiative in an accessible and engaging way, enabling Kitty, who studies accounting and history, to move beyond textbook knowledge and develop a more three-dimensional understanding of macroeconomic development.
She later toured the campus and admired its blend of Chinese and Western architectural features, as well as the cultural legacy of overseas Chinese. What touched her most was how the century-old university had revitalised historic buildings into educational spaces, allowing culture to be passed on through learning. For Kitty, Xiamen University not only best reflected the economic and cultural themes of the study trip, but also embodied a strong sense of academic tradition and humanistic spirit.
Iris Ling Yan-tung found Xiamen’s liveable atmosphere especially appealing. Compared with the fast pace of Hong Kong, she felt that people in Xiamen seemed more able to slow down, enjoying simple moments such as fishing by the sea and feeling the sea breeze. She was particularly drawn to the island charm of Gulangyu. Once an international settlement and a node on the Maritime Silk Road, the island still preserves traces of religious and cultural exchange.
Iris also appreciated the people-oriented approach adopted by the municipal authorities. She observed that the city was filled with greenery, and noted the plan to relocate the airport on Xiamen Island to an area outside the island. In her view, this would help protect the environment while improving quality of life, showing that the city continues to put people first while pursuing development.
The Youth High Speed Rail Trip, organised by The Dragon Foundation and the HKFYG, was funded by HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland. It also received generous donation by Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, Chiyu Banking Corporation Ltd., Henderson Land Group, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery, and The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; was supported by Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Fujian Youth Federation, the Xiamen Youth Federation and MTR Corporation. Students from nearly 40 secondary schools and institutions took part.
This August, “Dragon 100” is engaging young professionals worldwide to explore cultural heritage and modernise industries in Yunnan. Sign up at dragonfoundation.net.
