Wu Zhi Qiao Held the First-ever “Walk for Rural Revitalization”

Uniting Urban, Rural, and Youth Efforts as a Bridge to Rural Revitalization

Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Charitable Foundation (“Wu Zhi Qiao”), for the first time today, organised the Walk for Rural Revitalization in the remote countryside area of Sha Tau Kok. Over 200 participants including the representatives from corporations, individuals, villagers, representatives from local organizations and volunteers raised over HK$ 1.6 million to support the rural revitalization and youth development programmes of Wu Zhi Qiao in both the Mainland and Hong Kong.

The kick-off ceremony was held at the 90-year-old Lee’s mansion near the centre of Kuk Po Village in the morning. The officiating guest, Professor Tang Man Bun, BBS, Head of Countryside Conservation Office, said “We aim to protect our precious ecological, cultural, and built environment through the existing and future measures. Apart from bringing new life to remote rural areas, sustainable economic activities such as eco-tourism and cultural activities can also be promoted, thereby linking up the city and the countryside, and realizing the vision of urban-rural symbiosis.” Another officiating guest, Mr. Lee Koon Hung, MH, Chairman of the Sha Tau Kok District Rural Committee, said “The Walk for Rural Revitalization is the biggest event since the second phase of the opening-up of Sha Tau Kok. The bridge building and rural projects in the Mainland and the revival projects in the remote villages of Hong Kong of Wu Zhi Qiao can make good use of rural resources and correspond with the national strategy of rural revitalization.”

The Walk for Rural Revitalization was an unprecedented low-carbon local tour where the young leaders recently trained by Wu Zhi Qiao guided the participants in teams to hike and visit Kuk Po, Mui Tsz Lam and Lai Chi Wo. The participants could appreciate the latest state of rural revitalization in these three old Hakka villages, including tasting the specialty food prepared by the locals. Professor Wong Kam Sing, GBS, JP, the Chairman of Wu Zhi Qiao and the former Secretary for the Environment, pointed out that the success of this event was attributable to the joint efforts of various parties from the “urban”, “rural” and “youth”, which also formed the basis for Wu Zhi Qiao’s work on rural revitalization and youth development. He also expressed his gratitude for the support and generosity of them:

• “Urban” – Corporates and organizations of different sizes in the city, including NWS Holdings Charities Foundation (Diamond Sponsor), Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (Gold Sponsor) and around 20 Silver Sponsors, as well as the government, business sectors, universities, local organizations, etc. provided a great deal of support to this event.
• “Rural” – The Sha Tau Kok Rural Committee and the villagers from Kuk Po, Mui Tsz Lam and Lai Chi Wo supported this event. Besides sharing various rural venues for activities (e.g. the 90-year-old mansion for the kick-off ceremony), the locals prepared the specialty food for enjoyment by the participants.
• “Youth” – 20 young people who had completed the 3-month training in the inaugural Wu Zhi Qiao Rural Revitalization Leadership Lesson (Youth Group) guided the participants to hike and visit the remote countryside areas in teams. And around 30 young people volunteered to help this event. This was in line with Wu Zhi Qiao’s vision of connecting young people with diversified backgrounds for engagement in rural revitalization.

Wong said, “Looking ahead, there are a lot of opportunities for revitalising these remote countryside areas in the context of the Northern Metropolis’ Blue and Green Recreation, Tourism and Conservation Circle. Within this Circle, the latest phase of the opening-up of Sha Tau Kok was one of the milestones.” Wu Zhi Qiao will continue to engage with the community and strive forward to contribute to sustainable development, which is in line with the emerging directions of rural revitalization and low-carbon living as mentioned in the 2024 new year message delivered by President Xi Jing Ping.

Wu Zhi Qiao, for the first time today, organised the Walk for Rural Revitalization in the remote countryside area of Sha Tau Kok.

The kick-off ceremony took place at the 90-year-old Lee’s mansion in Kuk Po.

The officiating guests, Professor Tang Man Bun, BBS (back row, fifth left), Mr. Lee Koon Hung, MH, Chairman of the Sha Tau Kok District Rural Committee (back row, sixth right), Professor Wong Kam Sing, GBS, JP, the Chairman of Wu Zhi Qiao (back row, seventh right), and Ms. Leonie Ki, GBS, SBS, JP, the Founder and Honorary Life President of Wu Zhi Qiao (back row, fifth right), took a group photo with representatives of Kuk Po, Mui Tsz Lam and Lai Chi Wo Villages and the Wu Zhi Qiao Rural Revitalization Youth Leaders to commemorate the occasion.

Diamond Sponsor - NWS Holdings Charities Foundation

Gold Sponsor - Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation

Representatives of Silver Sponsors

The government, business sectors, universities, local organizations, etc. provided a great deal of support to this event.

20 young people who had completed the 3-month training in the inaugural Wu Zhi Qiao Rural Revitalization Leadership Lesson (Youth Group) guided the participants to hike and visit the remote countryside areas in teams.

Mui Tsz Lam villagers and volunteers prepared the “WZQ Sweet Heart Cake” and “One-bite Starfruit Jam Bun” for enjoyment by the participants.

Chairman Wong Kam Sing and the villagers of Ng To, Kuk Po worked together to prepare the traditional Hakka dish “Lai Vok Bien”.

After the Walk, Chairman Wong Kam Sing presented graduation certificates to the Wu Zhi Qiao Rural Revitalization Youth Leaders.