Hong Kong and Shanghai share a similar role in China’s modernisation, showcasing the Chinese culture to the world, and leading the country onto the international stage. Tracing their history, both cities are influenced by the West while they have deeply inherited traditional Chinese culture. Nowadays, they have merged the essence of Chinese and Western culture and written their legendary chapters in the areas of finance and technology.

This summer, Chung Chi College of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) coorganised a study trip titled “A Tale of Two Cities - Talent Plus Between Shanghai & Hong Kong”. During the two-week trip, participants visited both cities to explore their development in finance, innovation, judicial systems and urban planning, as well as their history and culture, recognising their fascination through an academic approach.

Inside Prosperity: The Mechanism of Metropolises’ Development

Over the past century, both Hong Kong and Shanghai have faced the same challenge in shaping their cityscapes – maximising their potential for future development while preserving their history. During the trip, we witnessed their ingenious solutions to this challenge.

In Shanghai, we enjoyed the view of the financial district, Lujiazui, from the Shanghai Tower and captured the Bund’s grandeur with Huangpu ferries. To clear our doubts on how Shanghai became a “sleepless city,” we explored further at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. We were also inspired by the WorldSkills Museum, which showcased how China connected with the globe through local techniques and wisdom.

During our time in Hong Kong, we visited the Court of Final Appeal and the Legislative Council Complex to grasp the core ideas of Hong Kong’s institutional framework. To explore how our city operates efficiently under significant public demands, we visited the City Gallery and T · PARK Sludge Treatment Facility and traced how the utilities, as well as the dedication of technicians, become reliable supports of the city. What we experienced at the Mental Health Experience Museum in Castle Peak Hospital, a psychiatric hospital, reminds us that mental health is just as important as creature comforts in city development.

Although the two cities initiated their future blueprint in different ways, they shared the same principle on city development – citizens should be prioritised.

During the visit to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, students gained an in-depth understanding of Shanghai’s history and city development.

Facing the Wave of AI: From Competition to Cooperation

Innovative technology and finance are the sectors that Hong Kong and Shanghai rely on, and both cities have been competing in terms of the International Financial Centre and Smart City. Facing the economic wave driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), they are now exploring cross-cities cooperation.

At the Shanghai Technology Exchange, we observed interlocking policy gears, with patent laws, funding mechanisms, and spatial strategies propelling innovation. Following the latest trend in AI, the Dishui Lake AI Innovation Port demonstrated AI’s leap from labs to industries. By visiting Bilibili and Tesla, we discovered that in Shanghai, local enterprises and global corporations can share the same opportunities and enjoy the same potential.

Hong Kong has its approach to the field of innovation. At the exhibition at Hong Kong Science Park, we experienced Hong Kong’s ambition for economic transition, such as the introduction of the Tseung Kwan O InnoPark, and how the hub incubates startups to drive youth engagement. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) also showed its vision. We understood how the authority utilised financial technology to regulate the market and engage with innovations. As crypto exchanges become more popular, the HKMA has built a “firewall” with intensive tracking and regulations to anchor investors’ confidence.

Despite institutional differences, Hong Kong and Shanghai share the same approaches to their innovation policies - attracting talents, converting technologies, and commercialising innovative ideas. Leveraging their specialties, Shanghai offers an encouraging environment through policies, while Hong Kong provides institutional advantages and market vitality. Both cities are poised to demonstrate their visions and wisdom amid the innovation wave.

Students visited a video sharing platfom company in Shanghai to learn about the development of private enterprise in the fields of content creation and digital technology.

Bridge of Friendship Between CUHK & SUFE

During the study trip, we built a strong bond with Shanghai friends, creating valuable memories under the remarkable twilight of Shanghai and the sparkling neon lights of Hong Kong. When we stayed in Shanghai, SUFE classmates became “cultural ambassadors”, leading us to different streets and lanes to taste hidden local food, like xiaolongbao and crab roe noodles. They also introduced us to the best-ever spot for sightseeing of the Bund. After classes, we strolled around the SUFE and felt the academic atmosphere, making us feel like SUFE students.

As a return, we also arranged special tours for SUFE mates after they arrived in Hong Kong. We enjoyed the night view of Hong Kong Island and the Peak at Victoria Harbor and watched the horse races in Happy Valley. We also led them to the cuisines familiar with CU-ers, including Hong Kong-style hotpot restaurants and a local dessert shop, which some of SUFE mates even became loyal lovers of juicy beef meatballs, crispy tofu rolls, and mango pomelo sago.

To experience CUHK culture, one must explore ‘Dem Beat’ (demonstration of beats) and ‘Sik Siu’ (late-night meals). ‘Boom! Pak!’ When the rhythm of beats exploded in Chung Chi Tang, our claps vibrated with our heartbeats. After being taught how to demonstrate CU beat, there were passions ignited among SUFE mates for learning Cantonese. Since then, we started teaching them about the difference between ‘M Goi’ and ‘Do Ze’ (both words expressing gratitude manner), which is difficult for SUFE mates to distinguish. It is quite interesting.

Although we only stayed together for two weeks, I am sure that our friendship will not be halted by distance. We are all looking forward to the upcoming reunion.

Students from both universities toured the Huangpu River, experiencing the charm of the Bund's century-old historic buildings and the grandeur of modern skyscrapers.

Student Reporter Lam Wing Yu