Strengthening Beijing-Hong Kong Ties Through a Landmark University Visit

On April 2, 2026, a high-profile delegation from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government Education Bureau, led by Director Choi Yuk-lin (蔡若莲), visited the Communication University of China (CUC) in Beijing. This visit marks a significant step in enhancing educational collaboration between Hong Kong and mainland China, particularly in media higher education and the promotion of national common language and writing education. CUC, a Ministry of Education (MOE)-affiliated "Double First-Class" university renowned as China's premier institution for journalism and communication studies, welcomed the group with discussions focused on joint talent cultivation and cross-border exchanges.

The delegation's itinerary included in-depth talks with CUC President Zhang Shuting (张树庭) and senior leaders such as Assistant President Shu Gangbo, Dean Jin Xuetao of the International Journalism and Communication Education Institute, and officials from the Hong Kong-Macao-Taiwan Affairs Office. Representatives from the MOE's Hong Kong-Macao-Taiwan Affairs Office were also present, underscoring the national importance of these ties. Choi praised CUC's achievements in media education and shared insights into Hong Kong's educational landscape and ongoing mainland collaborations.

This event is part of Choi's broader Beijing trip, which involved meetings with MOE officials, visits to the National Education Examinations Authority, and explorations of innovative assessment technologies. The focus on CUC highlights media's role in language promotion, as broadcasting and journalism demand high proficiency in Putonghua—the standard Mandarin designated as China's national common spoken language—alongside standard Chinese characters.

Core Areas of Cooperation Outlined in Strategic Dialogues

The discussions at CUC centered on several key pillars of collaboration, reflecting both institutions' commitment to aligning with national development goals. President Zhang emphasized CUC's established partnerships with multiple Hong Kong universities, including mechanisms for national common language and writing education cooperation. These frameworks have already yielded fruitful results in student exchanges and cultural programs.

Proposed areas for deepened cooperation include:

• Promotion and testing of national common language (Putonghua) and standard writing, vital for media professionals who disseminate information nationwide.
• Training programs for teachers and administrators, leveraging CUC's expertise in language technology and media pedagogy.
• Youth and student exchanges to foster mutual understanding and integration into the Greater Bay Area's media ecosystem.
• Cultural and media projects, such as joint productions and digital content creation emphasizing patriotic narratives.

"CUC has a deep foundation and fruitful results in exchanges with Hong Kong's education sector," Zhang stated, expressing eagerness to build a Beijing-Hong Kong education exchange brand. Choi echoed this, hoping the visit would catalyze synergistic media higher education development, cultivating "patriotic individuals who understand Hong Kong and can tell Hong Kong and national stories." Such talents are essential for helping Hong Kong youth integrate into mainland opportunities. The official CUC announcement details these ambitions.

Exploring CUC's Cutting-Edge Facilities and Heritage

Following the talks, the delegation toured CUC's School History Museum and Media Museum, gaining insights into the university's evolution since 1954 as the cradle of China's radio, television, and media talents. They also visited the Animation and Digital Art College, witnessing innovations in converged media production and digital heritage preservation.

Key labs showcased included the National Key Laboratory of Media Audio/Video Technology and Standards, highlighting CUC's leadership in language processing technologies like speech recognition—crucial for Putonghua standardization tools used in education and broadcasting. These facilities exemplify CUC's blend of theory and practice, with top rankings: #1 in China for journalism and communication per QS Subject Rankings 2026, and global recognition in media studies.

The tours illustrated practical applications of national common language education, such as AI-driven Putonghua training modules for media students, bridging HK's biliteracy and triliteracy policy (Chinese/English written forms; Cantonese/Putonghua/English spoken) with mainland standards.

National Common Language Education: Context and Imperatives

National common language and writing refer to Putonghua (based on Beijing dialect phonology, northern dialects, and modern vernacular grammar) and simplified Chinese characters, promoted by the State Language Commission since 1956 to unify communication across China's diverse dialects. In higher education, especially media, proficiency ensures accurate dissemination of state narratives and cultural unity.

For Hong Kong, post-1997 handover, the "biliteracy, triliteracy" framework supports trilingual competence amid Cantonese dominance (88.2% habitual speakers per 2021 census). Habitual Putonghua use has doubled to 2.3% by 2021, with 54.2% able to speak it. Primary schools using Putonghua as the medium of instruction (PMI) for Chinese reached 71%, secondary 25% historically, reflecting gradual integration.

Challenges persist: teacher proficiency varies, with EDB sponsoring Putonghua Proficiency Tests (PSC); new 2024/25 benchmarks require Level 2+ for Putonghua educators. CUC's role amplifies through training, as seen in prior HK student camps on Putonghua and visual news (2019).

Photo by 绵 绵 on Unsplash

CUC's Established Track Record in Cross-Border Partnerships

CUC has long championed national language promotion, establishing cooperation with HKU and Macau University for exhibitions, research in Chinese IT, and talent development. MOE recognizes CUC's efforts in serving ethnic regions and overseas Confucius Institutes with Putonghua centers in the Netherlands and US.

In media higher ed, Beijing-Hong Kong Universities Alliance (2018) fosters exchanges; 245 sister schools link basic education, extending to tertiary. Case studies include HKEdU president visits to CUC (2024) for AI-media synergies and joint programs with CUHK journalism schools.

Statistics underscore impact: CUC alumni dominate CCTV, Xinhua; HK grads benefit from mainland internships, enhancing employability in Greater Bay Area media hubs (projected 500k jobs by 2030).

Hong Kong's Language Policy Evolution and Teacher Development

HK EDB's strategies include free PSC for teachers (4th run 2026), mainland training tours (e.g., new teachers to Beijing), and PMI expansion. Despite 40% pass rate in recent PSC listening (2024), sponsorships boost attainment.

Step-by-step process for PMI: Schools assess readiness (student proficiency >60%), train staff via EDB workshops/CUC-like partners, monitor via benchmarks. Cultural context: Cantonese media dominance (TVB) vs. rising mainland streaming (iQiyi), necessitating Putonghua fluency.

Real-world example: 2019 CUC-HKEdU camp trained 34 students in Putonghua for news production, yielding joint stories on national unity. Wenweipo reports on similar exchanges.

Implications for Media Talent Cultivation and Youth Integration

The visit addresses HK youth's national integration: 60% HK students aspire to mainland careers (2025 survey), but language barriers hinder. Joint CUC-HK programs could offer dual degrees in digital media, with Putonghua modules.

Stakeholder views: MOE pushes unified standards; HK principals seek training; students gain global skills. Risks: dialect interference; solutions: blended AI apps from CUC labs.

Future Outlook: Building Sustainable Exchange Brands

Prospects include annual training cohorts (100+ HK teachers/year), student mobility (500 exchanges), and research on media AI for language learning. Aligned with 14th Five-Year Plan's language goals (85% proficiency by 2025 nationally).

Actionable insights: Universities adopt hybrid curricula; policymakers fund scholarships; students pursue PSC/CUC short courses. This coop positions CUC-HK as Greater Bay Area media powerhouse. MOE highlights CUC's contributions.

Overall, the visit exemplifies proactive higher ed diplomacy, promising enriched media landscapes and stronger national cohesion.

Photo by Nguyen Kiet on Unsplash

Broader Beijing-Hong Kong Higher Education Synergies

Beyond CUC, Beijing hosts 145 mainland unis recruiting HK DSE students (2025/26); alliances like Tsinghua-led Beijing-HK Universities enhance research. Media focus complements: CUC's #1 domestic ranking meets HK's Baptist U, CUHK journalism strengths.

Statistics: 4,562 HK students to mainland unis (2024/25), up 9%; media fields grow 15%. Challenges: visa/streamlining; solutions: joint admissions.

Expert opinion: Aligns with Xi's youth integration call, per recent letters to Jiaotong U.