Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met the 39-member visiting delegation consisting of the winners of the Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest in Beijing on August 15, 2008.

FM Yang first extended a warm welcome to the students from Hong Kong. He said, "You may experience the Olympics overflowed with ardent atmosphere. It is the first time for the Chinese people to host the Olympics on our home soil. It is the century-old dream of the Chinese nation and common aspirations of the entire Chinese people including the Hong Kong fellowmen to host a successful and high-level Olympic Games with distinguishing features. As one of the six co-host cities of the Olympics, Hong Kong provided the Olympics and Paralympics in Beijing with important support by hosting the equestrian events. The matches in the past few days were exciting and spectacular and echoed with the matches in Beijing and other five co-host cities. Hereby I'd like to extend my best wishes to Hong Kong for hosting high-level equestrian events for the Olympics and Paralympics and to the athletes from Hong Kong for achieving outstanding results in the Olympics."

Yang said, "The mainland of China has made unparalleled achievements in politics, economy, society, culture, education and other fronts in the past three decades since the reform and opening up. Our international status was improved substantially and our diplomatic cause also witnessed major developments. China is increasingly linked with the world. China cannot develop in isolation of the world and a prosperous and stable world needs China. We will unswervingly pursue the independent foreign policy of peace and safeguard our interest in national sovereignty, security and development; in the meantime, we will actively participate in regional and international affairs and contribute to the peace, stability and development of the world."

Yang added, "During your tour in Beijing, you may not only experience the long history and the rich culture of the ancient capital and witness the tremendous achievements made by China in the past 3 decades since the reform and opening up, but also personally feel the patriotism inspired by the Olympics. It will be a valuable experience in your life. I hope that you can share what you experience and feel in Beijing with your teachers and classmates and encourage your classmates to have greater interest in the development of the motherland and show more support to our diplomatic cause. You are the future of Hong Kong and the future of the motherland. I hope that all of you cherish every moment, work hard to grasp knowledge and skills, and learn the way to be a better man and do things. I hope that you love China and Hong Kong and contribute your parts to the development of Hong Kong and your motherland."

Before the audience with Foreign Minister Yang, the students also were briefed on the overview of the foreign ministry, international situation and China's diplomatic policies. The students expressed that the tour to Beijing during the Olympic Games was of special significance and the tour was rich in activities and impressive. The tour provided them with an opportunity to know China's diplomatic cause firsthand and increased their sense of belongings to the motherland and their recognition of the motherland.

The Second Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest was co-sponsored by the Commissioner's Office, Hong Kong Education Bureau and the Better Hong Kong Foundation. Nearly 50,000 students from 121 middle schools participated in the 6-month-long content. The winner team was rewarded with a tour to Beijing.