Bearing the Responsibility of the Nation and Building Bridges Between China and the World
——Welcome Address by Consul General Qiu Xuejun to Teachers and Students of Hong Kong Tak Sun Secondary School
February 2, 2026
Dear teachers and students of Tak Sun Secondary School,
Good afternoon!
On behalf of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Munich, I have the honour to extend my sincere greetings and a warm welcome to you all! As you step onto the land of Bavaria, a place rich in history and vibrant innovation, you embark on a journey of not only a cross-cultural exploration but also a dialogue of youth and friendship connecting Hong Kong and Bavaria, and bridging Chinese and German, European civilizations. As the diplomatic mission of China in Munich, we have always been witnessing and promoting the friendly exchanges between China and the State of Bavaria, and we are particularly delighted to share with you this friendship and the power of cooperation that transcends time and space.
Bavaria’s exchange with China has a rich history spanning 400 years. From the missionaries Bernard-Kilian Stumpf and Ignatius Kgler who came to China in the 17th and 18th centuries to impart astronomical knowledge and glassmaking techniques, to the indirect exchanges between the Wittelsbach royal family and the Qing Dynasty, and then to 1975 when the then CSU Chairman Franz Josef Strauβ became the first statesman of Federal Republic of Germany to be received by Chairman Mao Zedong, this tradition of friendship has deepened over time. Today, Bavaria is not only one of Germany's most economically developed federal states, but also a model of subnational cooperation between China and Germany. With China as its largest trading partner globally for many consecutive years, Bavaria has over 2,000 companies maintaining trade relations with China, among which more than 100 having factories and over 600 establishing branches in China. Meanwhile, approximately 500 Chinese-funded enterprises have settled in Bavaria, with a total investment exceeding US$10 billion, creating 30,000 jobs locally. Many Chinese enterprises including new energy vehicle companies have established themselves here, and the cooperation between renowned German companies headquartered in Bavaria such as Siemens, BMW, Audi and their partners in China has yielded fruitful results. Such cooperation featured by two-way commitment, is a vivid example of the mutually beneficial and win-win philosophy that China's diplomacy has long been upholding. It not only provides strong support for the development of relations between China and Germany, and even between China and Europe, but also showcases the open and inclusive trend of the times to young people from both sides.
In the fields of science and education, Bavaria's innovative vitality and the breadth and depth of its cooperation with China particularly worth your in-depth understanding. Bavaria is a bridgehead and engine of high technology in Europe, with world-leading research and development capabilities in areas such as the Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, and quantum computing. Top universities such as the Technical University of Munich and the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich offer specialized programmes related to Industry 4.0 and have launched dual-system training programmes in collaboration with enterprises. The Munich University of Applied Languages has even established a master's programme in Chinese-German simultaneous interpretation, and has jointly established training programmes with Chinese universities such as Beijing Foreign Studies University, becoming an important bridge for cultural exchanges between China and Germany. Currently, the number of Chinese students studying in Bavaria has exceeded 10,000, and more than 150 universities on both sides have established inter-institutional cooperation. Behind these figures lies a broad platform for mutual learning and growth among young people from both countries, providing more possibilities for the future development of talented young people like you.
My dear young friends, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has made the important deployment of promoting the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. Hong Kong, as an important window for China's opening up to the outside world, naturally aligns with the development philosophy of Bavaria. Hong Kong's international advantages and professional service capabilities and Bavaria's high-end manufacturing and technological innovation strengths would bring out the best in each other. Against the backdrop of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area construction and the deepening of China-Germany cooperation, you are not only witnesses to the practice of One Country, Two Systems, but also potential young envoys connecting Hong Kong and the motherland as a whole with Europe. Patriotism and love for Hong Kong are never isolated sentiments, but rather require being rooted in Hong Kong, embracing the motherland and having the whole world in view. You have come to Germany with Hong Kong's cultural characteristics. By upholding your national identity and inheriting Chinese culture, while also absorbing Bavaria's essence in innovation, rigour, and craftsmanship with an open mind, your patriotism and love for Hong Kong will become even stronger and more vibrant through cross-cultural exchanges.
As students of Tak Sun Secondary School, you have received a high-standard education in the motherland and now have the opportunity to personally experience the fruitful results of China-Germany cooperation. This experience will become your unique asset. We hope you will cherish this trip: visit the Deutsches Museum and feel the vibrant power of science and technology; stroll through the towns and villages of Bavaria and experience the harmonious coexistence of different civilizations; interact with local youth and share true stories of China especially of Hong Kong, letting them understand Hong Kong's prosperity and stability under One Country, Two Systems policy, the achievements of our motherland's development and the open, confident, patriotic and responsible spirit of Chinese youth. At the same time, we hope you will connect what you see and hear in Bavaria with what you learn and reflect upon, deeply recognizing that your personal growth is always closely linked to Hong Kong's development and the strength of the nation. As emphasized by the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, Chinese path to modernization is a modernization which all people participate in, build, and enjoy together. Every effort you make will contribute to Hong Kong's integration into the overall development of the nation and to China-Germany friendly cooperation.
My dear young friends, the essence of youth is always struggle, and the mission of the times will ultimately fell on the shoulders of the youth. Bavaria's development tells us that innovation is the driving force for the future, and cooperation is the key to overcoming challenges; while Hong Kong's prosperity proves that patriotism and love of Hong Kong is the foundation of one's life, and integrating into the nation is the basis for development. The Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Munich has always been a strong support for all Chinese people, including our Hong Kong compatriots, who are studying, working, and living in Bavaria. We are ready to provide full support for the exchange, study and development of Chinese students and other compatriots here. We hope that this trip to Germany will serve as a new starting point for you to cultivate patriotism, enhance capabilities and broaden international views. We hope you, as steadfast practitioners of patriotism and love for Hong Kong, as well as active promoters of friendship between China and other countries, have your youth blossoming brilliantly in the struggle for Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the enduring friendship between the Chinese and German people!
Finally, I wish all the teachers here success in their work, Tak Sun Secondary School flourishing in the lofty cause of education, and all the young friends here a fruitful journey and a bright future!
Thank you all!