Youth Exchange: Student program strengthens ties between Shanghai, Hong Kong

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While Hong Kong tries to put weeks of protests and violence behind it, up the coast in Shanghai, a friendly exchange is bringing young people closer together. About 500 students and teachers from Hong Kong have spent the last several days in Shanghai. The exchange program aims to deepen understanding and friendship between young people of the two cities. CGTN's Lin Nan has more.

Hundreds of miles apart, but friendships as strong than ever.

About 1,000 students from Shanghai and Hong Kong celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China in Shanghai on Tuesday.

The event is a part of a youth exchange program between the two cities.

ANDREW YAO, NPC DEPUTY FROM HONG KONG PROGRAM ORGANIZER "When we see you, we see the future of our country. The program aims to show the development of Shanghai and the nation. I think we achieved the goal. There are two elements of this exchange program, to experience the real Shanghai and to make friends."

About 500 students and teachers from 17 Hong Kong high schools joined this 6-day program.

They visited local Shanghai schools and communities and experienced various aspects of the city, including cultural activities, technical innovations, manufacturing, city planning and so on.

SUN YUENKI HONG KONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT "We saw a 3D model of Jiaotong University when we visited its campus. When we put on the 3D glasses, every detail was so real and I was really impressed."

LI SIN YI HONG KONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT "I definitely have more understanding after this visit. It is a very good experience. Many of us haven't been to Shanghai before, and we have seen many neat city development."

Many said such events deepen their understanding and inspire them to learn from each other and explore more about one another.

XU YUAN SHANGHAI HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT "We talked a lot about the similarities and differences of our study and lives, and we found a lot in common in our interests and hobbies."

ANDI WONG HONG KONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT "China continues to grow, and it needs more talents. I think there will be many opportunities for us in Shanghai."

As economic ties between Shanghai and Hong Kong have grown closer in recent years, exchanges among young people are getting more frequent.

PAUL MAK, VICE PRESIDENT SHANGHAI AND HONG KONG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION "We have done a lot of work to encourage young people in Hong Kong to go to college, do their internships or find jobs here to benefit from the growth of China."

Representatives from sports, engineering and business in Shanghai and Hong Kong shared their experiences and encouraged students to pursue their dreams in the future. Lin Nan, CGTN, Shanghai.