The ‘Dongjiang Water: Source Journey’, to be held from June 25 to 27, aims to deepen Hong Kong youths’ understanding of the history and significance of the nation's water resource conservation efforts. This expansive tour will bring together a diverse group of participants, including secondary school students from underprivileged backgrounds, some of whom are ethnic minorities visiting Mainland China for the first time, as well as teachers and youth volunteers. The event is organised by the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation and co-organised by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

Participants will travel directly to Heyuan via a dedicated MTR high-speed train. The itinerary includes visits to pivotal sites such as the source of Dongjiang water at Sanbai Mountain in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, and the Xinfengjiang Reservoir Dam and Wanlv Lake in Heyuan, Guangdong Province. These sites exemplify the nation’s accomplishments in water conservation. Additionally, the tour will include stops at Nongfu Spring Co., Ltd. and the Heyuan Dinosaur Museum. The Foundation has generously covered all expenses for the tour, totalling approximately HKD2 million, reinforcing the ethos of appreciating the origins and values of our resources, encapsulated in the saying, ‘when you drink water, think of its source.’

Gratitude for Collaborative Efforts to Deepen Youths’ National Sentiment

‘We sincerely thank all organisations from Hong Kong and the Mainland for their significant support in making this meaningful exploration tour possible. We hope that Hong Kong youth will gain a better understanding of the country’s achievements in water resource construction and ecological protection, and embrace the sentiment of “sharing the same water source”. ’ said Mr Daryl NG Win-kong, Chairman of the Foundation.

Distinguished guests who attended the Set Off Ceremony at West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station included: Miss Alice MAK Mei-kuen, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government; Mr ZHANG Guolai, Second-class Inspector of Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Mr Kenneth FOK Kai-kong, Executive Vice Chairman of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation; Mr HU Zhang-hong, CEO of Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments Limited; Mr YANG Bin, CEO of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation; Ms Dionne KUNG Ming-ming, Deputy CEO of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation; Mr CHEN Hao, Director of Hong Kong and Macau Compatriots Reception Office of Guangdong Province, Mr Paul WONG Kah Ming, Chief of Cross Boundary Segment, MTR Corporation Limited and principals from some of the participating secondary schools. Mr Clarence LEUNG Hung-ching, Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government will also join the tour.

Mr Kenneth FOK Kai-kong, Executive Vice Chairman of the Foundation, remarked, ‘For the past 60 years, the Dongjiang water has flowed continuously day and night, serving as a lifeline that connects Hong Kong and the Mainland. This demonstrates that Guangdong and Hong Kong weather the storm together, reflecting the deep bond between the motherland and Hong Kong. Through this journey, we hope students will gain a deeper appreciation of the history and the immense efforts the nation has put behind the supply of Dongjiang water, illustrating its care and support for Hong Kong.’   

Miss Alice MAK Mei-kuen, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government, stated, ‘For sixty years, the Dongjiang River has nourished every corner of our city, reflecting the nation's deep care for Hong Kong. Today, I was filled with immense joy as I witnessed nearly 600 young friends gathered at the high-speed rail station, ready to embark on the 'Dongjiang Water: Source Journey.' This initiative, organised  by the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation and co-organised by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, offers young people the opportunity to learn about the construction history, management, protection, and cultural heritage associated with the Dongjiang Water Supply Project.’

Expansive Itinerary Showcasing National Water Conservancy Achievements

The exploration tour provides students with an in-depth look at key water conservancy projects and ecological preservation efforts. Highlights include:

• Sanbai Mountain in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province

Students will visit the national 5A-level ecological scenic area of Sanbai Mountain to witness the source of Dongjiang water. Over the past 60 years, the area has implemented strict ecological protection measures to ensure the water’s purity before it flows into countless households in Hong Kong.

• Wanlv Lake and Xinfengjiang Reservoir Dam, Heyuan

Wanlv Lake, the largest artificial lake in southern China plays a crucial role in the Dongjiang Water Supply Project, regulating water distribution in the Dongjiang basin and ensuring stable water supply to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Xinfengjiang Reservoir Dam, the world’s first 100-meter-plus concrete dam engineered to withstand a magnitude-6 earthquake, was entirely designed, constructed, and installed by China.

•  Nongfu Spring Co., Ltd. - Modern Industry Observation

At the Nongfu Spring production base in Heyuan, students will learn how the company embodies its philosophy of ‘building factories at water sources’. Utilising the high-quality water from Dongjiang, the company engages in sustainable production practices. Participants will also learn about the stringent monitoring process and advanced technology used in bottled water production.

• Heyuan Dinosaur Museum - World's Largest Collection of Dinosaur Egg Fossils

Known as the ‘Hometown of Dinosaurs in China’, Heyuan is home to the Heyuan Dinosaur Museum, which breaks a Guinness World Record for housing over 20,000 dinosaur egg fossils. The museum also features a variety of dinosaur skeletons and footprints, offering participants a fascinating glimpse into the prehistoric world. 

First-time Journey to the Mainland for Ethnic Minority Students

The tour has garnered enthusiastic responses from Hong Kong schools, with nearly 600 secondary students from Forms 1 to 6 across 15 secondary schools participating. Among them, 40 students are mostly ethnic minorities of Pakistani, Indian, and Egyptian descent from Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College.

Ms NG Tsz-yau, a teacher at the school, said: ‘Though I’ve taught about the history of Dongjiang water, observing the source at Sanbai Mountain in person will allow students to truly grasp the essence of ‘sharing the same water source’. I am grateful to the Foundation for not just fully sponsoring the trip but also thoughtfully arranging halal meals and prayer spaces.’ She added, ‘Some students applied for their first Home Return Permit specifically for this study tour, marking their first visit to mainland China!’

Pakistani-born Form 3 student Khan Zayan who speaks fluent Cantonese, expressed ‘My family and I are all Hong Kong people. The textbooks say Dongjiang water saved Hong Kong from the past water shortage crisis. Now I finally get to see its source—I’m so excited!’ Another Pakistani Form 2 student, Insar Zarina also said cheerfully, ‘So the water I've been drinking since childhood comes from Dongjiang! I must take lots of photos to share with my family!’

Students to Share Knowledge on Water Conservancy

Ms Fung Wing-sze, Josephine, a teacher from Kwai Chung Methodist College, revealed: ‘Over 60 students competed for 40 spots, requiring interviews for selection. Those chosen had to study Dongjiang’s history beforehand and will create exhibits to share their experiences with the entire school after the tour.’

One participant, Form 6 student Yu Hiu-fan, Agnes, said, ‘Besides seeing Sanbai Mountain’s conservation efforts, I’m most excited to visit the Nongfu Spring Production Base to learn how Dongjiang water becomes bottled water, understanding the business and environmental principles behind it.’

This ‘Dongjiang Water: Source Journey’ allows students to step outside the classroom and deepen their understanding of national development. The Foundation hopes these young people will share the knowledge and insights they gained with the community, promoting awareness of water resources protection and contributing to building a sustainable future.

The ‘Dongjiang Water: Source Journey’ Set Off Ceremony was officiated by Miss Alice MAK Mei-kuen, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government (4th left); Mr Kenneth FOK Kai-kong, Executive Vice Chairman of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (4th right); Mr ZHANG Guolai, Second-class Inspector of Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR (3rd left); Mr HU Zhang-hong, CEO of Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments Limited (3rd right); Mr YANG Bin, CEO of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (2nd right); Ms Dionne KUNG Ming-ming, Deputy CEO of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (2nd left); Mr CHEN Hao, Director of Hong Kong and Macau Compatriots Reception Office of Guangdong Province (1st right), and Mr Paul WONG Kah Ming, Chief of Cross Boundary Segment, MTR Corporation Limited (1st left).

Mr Kenneth FOK Kai-kong, Executive Vice Chairman of the Foundation, hoped students will gain a deeper appreciation of Dongjiang water’s history through this study tour.

Miss Alice MAK Mei-kuen, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government, remarked that the Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong fully reflecting the nation's deep care for Hong Kong.

The officiating guests, nearly 600 participating students, teachers and various principals gathered before departure.