Hong Kong students should take the opportunity to garner first-hand knowledge about the Chinese mainland, its people and culture, and its current situation, Hong Kong Secretary for Education Michael Suen said on Monday.

Speaking at the student national education program series delegation launch ceremony, Suen said more than 1,000 students and teachers have the chance to learn about the richness of Chinese culture and see the Chinese mainland's development through exchange activities in Beijing organized by the Education Bureau. He said students will have a better understanding of mainland people's sentiments and happenings through contact and exchanges with mainland students.

Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang and Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong Li Gang officiated at the ceremony.

The bureau has co-ordinated the program series, which aims to consolidate various community sector efforts and government departments in organizing Hong Kong student exchange activities on the Chinese mainland.

Delegation members will start attending seminars and courses in Beijing on Dec. 20. They will also visit schools for exchange programs, participate in tours, attend the flag-raising ceremony at Tian'anmen Square, and visit Olympic Games sites.

The delegation will also attend courses on the mainland's political system, education system, economic and rural development, and on the Basic Law and One Country, Two Systems principle.

(Xinhua News Agency, December 11, 2007)