"Customs YES" organised a three-day historical and cultural study tour to Hunan from December 19 to 21. The Deputy Commissioner (Control and Enforcement) of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, led a delegation of 35 "Customs YES" members to visit Hunan, the hometown of the late Chairman Mao Zedong, with an aim of enhancing members' understanding of the great figure and the speedy customs clearance procedures through the implementation of the Hunan-Guangdong-Hong Kong Single E-lock Scheme (SELS).
The delegation arrived on December 19 at Changsha, Hunan, by the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Express Rail Link, and visited the International Cargo Station at Changsha Huanghua International Airport to learn about the collaborations between both Customs administrations in conducting real-time cargo monitoring through the implementation of the SELS and the adoption of advanced technology, thus expediting the cargo transshipment flow. The delegation then headed to the command centre at Changsha Customs Headquarters to learn about the history, work and facilities of the Changsha Customs District. During the visit, Mr Chan also met with the Deputy Director General of the Changsha Customs District, Mr Wei Yongliang, discuss the future development of the SELS and express gratitude for the Changsha Customs District's dedicated support for the study tour.
The delegation later visited the Changsha Customs Modern History Museum at the Customs office of the Juzizhou scenic area in Changsha to learn about the history of Changsha being opened up as a free port, and the impacts and developments of the establishment of the Changsha Customs District. Members also viewed the Young Mao Zedong statue and enjoyed the night view of Changsha in the scenic area.
Mr Chan yesterday (December 20) led the delegation to travel to Chairman Mao's birth place, Shaoshan. They visited the Mao Zedong Bronze Statue, where they laid a wreath and stood in silence to pay tribute and commemorate the 130th anniversary of Chairman Mao Zedong's birth. They then visited Chairman Mao Zedong's former residence and the Mao Zedong Relic Museum to learn about his life story, through which their sense of national pride was strengthened.
In addition, the delegation visited the Dishui Cave where Chairman Mao lived in seclusion, and enjoyed a large-scale drama, "The Most Memorable Shaoshan", through which they learnt about Chairman Mao's life and struggles in his political career, thereby enriching their knowledge of the history of modern Chinese revolution. Later on, the delegation visited the China Resources Hope Town in Shaoshan, where the group joined an agricultural experience and gained an understanding of the work of poverty alleviation and sustainable economic development in Hunan.
Today (December 21) is the last day of the trip. The delegation visited Yuelu Academy, which was one of the four most prestigious academies in ancient China, and appreciated the traditional architecture of this ancient academy with a history of over one-thousand years.
Looking ahead, "Customs YES" will organise more exchange activities in order to deepen the youth's understanding of the profound history and culture of the country, and strengthen their sense of national identity and national pride.
Ends/Thursday, December 21, 2023
