From June 5th to 7th, 2025, the First Beijing–Hong Kong Social Sciences Undergraduate Summer Camp, hosted by the School of Sociology at Beijing Normal University, was successfully held in Beijing. The three-day summer camp was jointly organized by the School of Sociology at Beijing Normal University and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Hong Kong Baptist University, with nearly 40 undergraduate representatives from both institutions participating. The event, themed “Exchange, Mutual Learning, and Joint Growth”, focused on academic discussions, cultural visits, and youth interactions, aiming to promote in-depth dialogue and understanding between young people from universities in both regions.

On the morning of June 5th, the summer camp officially opened. At the welcoming ceremony, Xu Lei, the party secretary of the school, delivered the opening speech. On behalf of the School, she warmly welcomed the faculty and students from Hong Kong Baptist University. She reviewed the long-standing deep ties and solid foundation of educational cooperation between the two universities, introduced the development history, disciplinary characteristics and research achievements of Beijing Normal University and the School of Sociology. She stated that it was hoped that this summer camp would build a precious learning and dialogue platform for young people from both regions, deepening mutual understanding and friendship through exchanges. Taking this as a starting point, it would further consolidate the cooperative foundation between the two faculties in exchanges, scientific research collaboration, curriculum co-construction, and other aspects, working together to achieve more long-term and in-depth exchanges and collaborative development. She reviewed the long-standing and solid foundation of educational cooperation between the two universities and institutions, and introduced the history, disciplinary features, and research achievements of Beijing Normal University and the School of Sociology. She expressed her hope that the summer camp would serve as a valuable platform for learning and dialogue between young people from both regions, deepening understanding and strengthening friendships. She further stated that this event would serve as a starting point to strengthen cooperation in areas such as faculty and student exchanges, research collaboration, joint course development, and more, working together to achieve long-term and in-depth exchanges and collaborative development.

Subsequently, Qu Zhijing, the leader of the Hong Kong Baptist University exchange group, introduced the basic situation of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the exchange group, stating that the students would actively participate in the exchange activities with an open mind and look forward to broadening their horizons and inspiring critical thinking through interaction. Hamza Saghir Aslam, the representative of the exchange group, combined his study experience in Beijing to express his expectations for participating in the event and extended a warm welcome to faculty and students from Beijing Normal University to visit Hong Kong Baptist University in the future. After the welcome ceremony, representatives from both sides exchanged souvenirs and all participants took group photos. The atmosphere on site was warm and harmonious.

Figure 1: Group Photo at the Welcome Ceremony

After the welcome ceremony, guided by volunteers, the exchange group from Hong Kong Baptist University visited the School’s research centers, cultural corridor, and student activity spaces, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the School’s teaching and research layout as well as the campus cultural atmosphere. Subsequently, the group went to the University History Museum, where they listened to docents introducing the development history of Beijing Normal University over the past hundred years. The delegation also visited campus landmarks such as the library, Jingshi Square, the school motto monument, and the gymnasium, further experiencing the profound humanistic heritage and educational tradition of Beijing Normal University.

Figure 2: HKBU Exchange Group Visiting the School of Social Science

Figure 3: HKBU Exchange Group Touring the University History Museum

On the afternoon of June 5th, the exchange group from Hong Kong Baptist University attended a lecture themed "Inheritance and Innovation of Chinese American Cultural Heritage" in Classroom 101, Building 7. The lecture was delivered

Figure 4: HKBU Exchange Group in Discussion with Dr. Zhang Juwen

by Dr. Zhang Juwen, associate professor at the Asian Studies Center, Willamette University (U.S.), and chaired by Prof. Xiao Fang. In the lecture, Dr. Zhang reviewed the historical context of the formation and development of Chinese American cultural heritage, deeply analyzing the stereotypes and identity challenges faced by Chinese communities in American society. He proposed that Chinese American culture should be understood as a "third culture," reflecting its unique historical background and cultural tension. Building on this, he further explored the transmission pathways and innovation mechanisms of Chinese culture in the context of ethnic integration, pointing out that the emergence of new cultural forms often stems from deep exchanges and interactions among diverse cultures. After the lecture, students from the exchange group enthusiastically shared their experiences and reflections on topics such as the social status of Chinese Americans, cultural stereotypes, and ethnic discrimination, engaging in lively and in-depth discussions with Dr. Zhang.

On June 6, the HKBU exchange group split into small groups to visit several of Beijing’s historic and cultural landmarks, including the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace. Through these field visits, students revisited historical memories, deeply appreciated Beijing’s rich cultural legacy and urban transformations, and strengthened mutual understanding and friendship during excursions to these renowned sites—creating vivid and lasting collective memories of the summer camp.

On June 7, the “Beijing–Hong Kong Social Sciences Undergraduate Exchange Forum” was held in Room 2026 of the North Main Building. Nearly 40 faculty and student representatives from both institutions attended, engaging in in‑depth discussions on topics such as educational reform and development, social policy, social governance, folklore, marriage and fertility, and elderly care. The Dr. Li Wangyang presided over the forum, joined by Dr. Fu Yuanyuan.

The representatives from both institutions presented their research findings on various topics, including the new college entrance examination reform, changes in extracurricular tutoring under the "Double Reduction" policy, the education choice mechanisms for migrant children, the participation of new employment groups in social governance, the construction of agricultural social service systems, caregiving networks for elderly people with cognitive disorders, and waste disposal and social integration among Chinese expatriates in Japan. They also showcased and exchanged ideas on topics such as marriage customs reform, female fertility intentions under the three-child policy, consumption and cultural production in community cafes, dowries and related phenomena, youth pressure and marriage and fertility policies in Beijing and Hong Kong, the origin and development of "Chinglish," and the impact of automation technology on employment structures.

The representatives engaged in in-depth discussions on research methods, application of conclusions, and other aspects. The exchange of ideas was rich, and the atmosphere on site was lively, showcasing the solid research abilities and strong academic standards of the students from both universities. After the forum concluded successfully, both faculty and students expressed that the event not only provided an opportunity for the presentation and refinement of the youth's research findings but also broadened their academic perspectives, enhanced their understanding of social issues from diverse perspectives, and strengthened their ability to conduct cross-regional comparisons.

Figure 5: Student Presentations and Discussions

The three-day “Beijing-Hong Kong Social Science Undergraduate Summer Camps” successfully concluded in a warm, open, and fruitful atmosphere. The event expanded the exchange between the faculty and students of the School of Sociology at Beijing Normal University and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Hong Kong Baptist University in the field of social sciences. It deepened the friendly cooperation between the two institutions and laid a solid foundation for further collaboration and synergistic development in talent cultivation, research cooperation, and inter-institutional exchanges in the future.