A ceremony was held at the Commissioner's Office to give away to Hong Kong primary and high schools a book titled "China's Foreign Affairs in Pictures" on March 26 2010 as a major component of the public diplomacy series "Diplomacy of the Motherland Coming to Schools" organized by the Commissioner's Office. Commissioner Lü Xinhua attended and addressed the ceremony, which was participated by over 200 guests including representatives of the Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government, Hong Kong Island School Heads Association, dozens of primary and high schools on the Hong Kong Island, as well as supporting and sponsoring agencies for the book and journalists covering the event.

Commissioner Lü Xinhua Speaking

In his remarks given at the ceremony, Commissioner Lü quoted Premier Wen Jiabao's words in this year's Report on the Work of the Government, which stated clearly that full support will be given to support Hong Kong to maintain long-term prosperity and stability and consolidate and enhance its international standing as a financial, trading and shipping center. The premier also pointed out that there are deep-rooted problems in Hong Kong, including the education and fostering of talents, and that it requires joint efforts of the Hong Kong society to solve these problems. Commissioner Lü promised that the Commissioner's Office would continue supporting Hong Kong to expand its external relations, and at the same time, use its own resources to help contribute to the fostering of internationalized professionals for Hong Kong. To this end, the Commissioner's Office would continue the three "brand events", namely, the diplomatic knowledge contest, public open days and diplomatic lectures, and launch the "Diplomacy of the Motherland Coming to Schools" events, including a tour of photo exhibition on China's diplomatic achievements, a writing contest and the compilation and publication of the book "China's Foreign Affairs in Pictures", which, he hoped, would help Hong Kong primary and high school students and youth in general to learn more and know more, and ignite their passion to study hard for the future of Hong Kong and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The commissioner then gave books to school representatives, supporting agencies and sponsors for this book, and took a photo with them.

Commissioner Lü Xinhua Giving Away Books to Representatives

On behalf of Hong Kong Island schools, President George. Tam of Hong Kong Island School Heads Association expressed appreciation to the Commissioner's Office for its committed efforts over the years to conduct public diplomacy for the youth in Hong Kong so that they could have valuable opportunities to gain a comprehensive understanding of their motherland and better appreciate the conduct of diplomacy by the country.

President George. Tam Expressing Appreciation on Behalf of Hong Kong Island Schools	Teachers and Students at the Ceremony

Teachers and students attending the ceremony expressed the view that students in Hong Kong are increasingly interested in the conduct of diplomacy by their country as China plays a growingly important role on the international arena with the rise of its overall national strength in recent years. However, this interest has been somewhat dampen by the lack of books in foreign affairs. But with the launch of the book "China's Foreign Affairs in Pictures", with its rich information and pictures introducing China's conduct of diplomacy with historical pictures, students could have a broader knowledge base and learn more about the national conditions of their motherland.

The guests also toured the Commissioner's Office after the ceremony and saw the works of art on display and the photo exhibition on China's diplomatic achievements, which further deepened their understanding of diplomacy.

"China's Foreign Affairs in Pictures", compiled and published by the Commissioner's Office, shows fully and vividly 60 years of diplomatic development and achievements of China with over 300 valuable pictures. The book is to be given away to over 1300 primary and high schools throughout Hong Kong after the ceremony, representing a first time in its 13 years of history for the Commissioner's Office to donate books on diplomacy to all primary and high schools in Hong Kong.

Commissioner Lü Xinhua and Mr. Cheng Shing Fung

In the compilation and publication of the book, Mr. Cheng Shing Fung, as well as the Joint Publishing (Hong Kong) Corporation, Hong Kong Island School Heads Association, Hong Kong Island Sub-Office of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong and the Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government had rendered strong support and assistance.