From the Competition Arena to the World: 

Enlightenment from "My Interfaces with BRI"

by: Zoie LAU, Form 4 Student, Diocesan Girls' School

In April this year, I was fortunate to represent my school in the 8th Comprehensive Ability Competition themed "My Interfaces with BRI". The event broadened my horizons, enhanced my sense of self-worth, and made me realize the unique role of young people in promoting international cooperation.

Insights from the Silk Road Competition

It was my first time participating, so I made extensive preparations beforehand and gained a basic understanding of the "Belt and Road Initiative" (BRI). My understanding of its strategic significance deepened through the speeches delivered by distinguished guests on the competition day, including Mr. Nicholas HO, Commissioner for Belt and Road; Mr. Bernard CHAN, Honorary President of "Belt and Road Pioneer" (BRP); Mr. Herman HU, Honorary Chairman; and President Simon HO of Hang Seng University. Further insights into its four core areas—Silk Road, Greater Bay Area, Innovation & Technology, and Green Development — came from in-depth lectures by renowned scholars such as Prof. Thomas CHAN, Prof. Terence CHONG, Prof. Raymond CHAN, and Dr. MA Jun.

Listening intently to every word they spoke not only helped our team win a top-three prize but also allowed me to grasp the essence of the Silk Road, opening a new door to my future.

Historical Insights: Building Bridges Through Mutual Consultation

The history of the Silk Road is like a vivid textbook of civilizational dialogue. During the prosperous Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong of TANG pioneered the Silk Road with a "benevolent approach to distant peoples," turning Chang'an into China's first international metropolis—a hub for Persian merchant caravans, Sogdian musicians, and Japanese envoys. His openness in allowing foreign students to study at the imperial academy foreshadowed the modern BRI scholarship programs. This wisdom of "winning hearts through virtue" has been revitalized in the contemporary practice of "joint consultation, co-construction, and shared benefits." From the prosperity of "Hu 旋舞" (Persian dance) and silk trade in Tang-era Chang'an to today's boom in AI technology in Shenzhen and cross-border e-commerce with ASEAN, openness and inclusivity have always been the core of civilizational prosperity.

History has proven: When the Silk Road serves as a bridge for civilizational mutual learning, it lays the foundation for a community with a shared future for mankind, where "each civilization shines in its own way, and all thrive together." This is not just a look back at history, but a hope for the future.

Enlightenment from Speakers: Igniting Ideals

Mr. Nichols' explanation of "people-to-people bonds," Professor Raymond CHAN's advocacy for "technology for good," and President Simon HO’s maxim—"Profit is merely a process; social responsibility is the ultimate goal"—resonated deeply with me. These ideological beacons helped me realize that future competition will not be a game of individual interests but a pursuit of value creation from the perspective of a "community with a shared future for mankind." As a Hong Kong youth, our career planning should transcend the framework of "self-interest" and embed personal growth into the country's development blueprint: exploring the potential of "technology for good" amid the AI boom in the Greater Bay Area, and practicing sustainable development in the green economy of ASEAN.

The lecture materials were like a clock of the times, reminding us that as "super connectors," we must leverage Hong Kong's advantage of an international perspective while acting as bridges for civilizational mutual learning—applying AI technology to support digital transformation in BRI countries, and extending low-altitude economy achievements to benefit rural development in Southeast Asia. This awakening to align professional strengths with societal needs embodies the ideal of our generation: engaging with the world with an open mind and illuminating the future with youthful dedication.

Gratitude and Anticipation for Laos

I am grateful to BRP for their meticulous organization and to the experts for their generous insights, which planted in us seeds of connection between China and the world during our youth. This competition gave me a new perspective on life: the BRI is not a distant national strategy but an accessible stage for every young person.

Soon, I will embark on the Silk Road Exploration into Laos, eager to witness the economic belt fostered by the China-Laos Railway and experience how a "landlocked country" is transforming into a "land-linked country" with international support. Perhaps in a few years, this land will witness economic takeoff, mirroring our own growth.

From the competition arena to the world, what has changed is my perspective: when we learn to contemplate "what does it have to do with me" from a global viewpoint, we have already built a "Silk Road" in our hearts leading to a broader world. On the road ahead, may we engage with the world openly and write our generation's BRI story with diligence.