On October 10, the opening ceremony of the 12^th Nankai University International Competence Capacity Building Youth Camp was held at the Shiing-Shen Building on Balitai Campus of Nankai University (NKU). Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, the fifth-term Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), was invited to attend the ceremony and deliver the inaugural lecture for the program. NKU President Chen Yulu attended the ceremony and delivered an address. The opening ceremony was presided over by Chen Jun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Vice President of NKU.

In his address, President Chen extended a warm welcome on behalf of NKU to Mrs. Carrie Lam and sincere congratulations to the selected candidates of the program. He emphasized that NKU has consistently deepened cooperation with Hong Kong institutions in talent cultivation, technological innovation, think tank building, and many other areas. With the official inclusion of NKU in the list of eligible universities under Hong Kong’s Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) in 2024, NKU now offers students new pathways to pursue further studies, seek employment, and start businesses in Hong Kong. President Chen reaffirmed NKU’s unwavering adherence to its founding motto “Dedication to Public Interests, Acquisition of All-round Capability, Aspiration for Progress with Each Passing Day.” He encouraged students to use this program as a springboard to cultivate a broad vision aligned with national priorities, develop global competence, and contribute vibrant youthful energy to the steady advancement of the “one country, two systems” framework and Hong Kong’s deeper integration into overall national development.

Mrs. Carrie Lam delivered a keynote address titled “Sustaining and Improving the Practice of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ in Hong Kong” for NKU faculty and students. She traced the historical context of Hong Kong, reviewed the institutional background of “One Country, Two Systems,” and elaborated on the constitutional order of HKSAR and the constitutional role of HKSAR Chief Executive. Reflecting on her five-year tenure as HKSAR Chief Executive, she shared her first-hand experiences of relying on the support of the Central Government of China and acting in accordance with the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s 

Republic of China to lead Hong Kong in navigating formidable challenges. Mrs. Carrie Lam remarked that “One Country, Two Systems” is not only a great vision but also a pioneering undertaking. She affirmed that this framework has been fundamental to Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, making its continued sustenance and refinement an imperative. With the implementation of “One Country, Two Systems” entering a new stage, Hong Kong is entrusted with the key mission of pursuing higher-quality development and making more substantial contributions to building a stronger China and realizing the national rejuvenation. In this new phase, Hong Kong will leverage its strengths in rule of law, internationalization, and market-driven dynamism to demonstrating the enduring vitality of “One Country, Two Systems.” Furthermore, Mrs. Carrie Lam introduced several talent admission schemes of the HKSAR Government and expressed her welcome to NKU students to pursue further studies and career development in Hong Kong.

Following the lecture, President Chen presented Mrs. Carrie Lam with an NKU commemorative plaque.

During the ensuing Q&A session, students posed thoughtful questions and engaged in a dynamic dialogue with Mrs. Carrier Lam on topics such as youth responsibility and development.

During the visit, Mrs. Carrie Lam toured the NKU Centennial History Exhibition, and paid tribute to the statue of Zhou Enlai, the first premier of the People's Republic of China and an outstanding alumnus of Nankai University. 

（Edited and translated by Nankai News Team.)