From "Great Northern Wilderness" to "Great Northern Granary" – A Harbin Agri-Tech Exploration and Cultural Exchange Journey
A delegation of ten teachers and students from The Chinese Foundation Secondary School, led by Principal Mr. Ho Tik-shun and STREAM Coordinator Ms. Chan Ching-ki, successfully took part in the Harbin study tour jointly organised by the Big Education Platform, the State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Soyvestor. Titled "The Transformation of Agricultural Industry in Northeast China – From the 'Great Northern Wilderness' to the 'Great Northern Granary' ", the tour was a joint-school event involving over ten secondary schools and was spearheaded by renowned scholar Professor Lam Hon-ming.
The itinerary was both intensive and enriching. The delegation first visited the Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, where they gained an in-depth understanding of the strategic importance and distinct characteristics of Northeast China's agriculture. They attended expert briefings on the unique properties of black soil and frozen soil, and toured the academy’s Soil Specimen Museum, witnessing first-hand the precious samples of what is often called the "giant panda of arable land."
Subsequently, the group explored the Beidahuang Agri-Tech Park, experiencing the innovative power of modern agriculture; visited the Qixing Farm History Museum to learn about the hardships and determination of the reclamation pioneers; observed cutting-edge precision farming equipment at the Beidahuang Precision Agriculture Machinery Centre; and strolled through vast expanses of rice paddies, taking in the magnificent scenery of the "Great Northern Granary."
The delegation also visited Northeast Agricultural University (NEAU), where they engaged in sincere and in-depth academic and cultural exchanges with local faculty and students. They ascended the paddy field observation tower and rode the paddy field mini-train to admire the rural landscape from different perspectives. The trip also included a leisure walk across the historic Binzhou Railway Bridge, offering a panoramic view of the majestic Songhua River.
At the conclusion of the tour, students delivered group presentation summaries, receiving valuable feedback and guidance from Professor Lam Hon-ming. A closing ceremony was then held, bringing this fruitful and memorable learning journey to a successful end.
