How Beijing’s top agency in Hong Kong plans to build national identity in city with architects’ help

Beijing’s top office in Hong Kong launched another community outreach drive on Monday by inviting renowned architects and engineers from mainland China to share their expertise with local students, but analysts warned nurturing a sense of national identity in the city through such initiatives would take time.

“[We hope these events can help] Hong Kong compatriots to have a deeper understanding of China’s development, witness the country’s achievements, build a strong identity with the country, and inspire patriotism,” Lu said.

She was speaking at the opening ceremony of an exhibition showcasing China’s construction history and the latest techniques deployed in the fast-moving sector. The programme is co-organised by the liaison office, the Hong Kong government and China State Construction Engineering.

As part of the wider programme of this week’s exhibition in Wan Chai – one of a series of events the liaison office is holding to engage with the Hong Kong community – four mainland experts from the fields of architecture and engineering have been invited to speak at different universities.

In June, a team of six Chinese space engineers and designers were invited to pass on their knowledge to pupils and academics in Hong Kong, while an extraterrestrial dialogue was held last month between 200 local students and three mainland astronauts orbiting Earth aboard China’s Tiangong space station.

The liaison office – Beijing’s top agency in Hong Kong – has significantly raised its profile over recent months through its drive to “listen directly” to ordinary residents. It has even prepared a to-do list for the Hong Kong administration and its own officials to improve the city’s governance based on the feedback received from its outreach efforts.