On the afternoon of June 18, the Chongqing-Hong Kong Youth City Cultural Exchange Conference took place at the School of Journalism and Communication, Huxi Campus, Chongqing University. Over 30 young students from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and representatives from Chongqing universities engaged in meaningful discussions on the theme of "Urban Cultural Creativity Communication and Youth Mission". Through keynote speeches and AI-generated short videos, they painted an innovative picture of youth collaboration, showcasing the charm of the two cities during cultural dialogues between Chongqing and Hong Kong.

This event was guided by the Publicity Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee and jointly organized by the Chongqing Journalist Station of Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group and the Western China International Communication Organization.

A Tale of Two Cities: From Geographic Differences to Cultural Resonance

A group photo of Hong Kong students visiting the Huxi Campus of Chongqing University. (Photo/Yang Jinxing)

At 14:30, Hong Kong students arrived at the vibrant and lush Huxi Campus of Chongqing University. After a brief campus tour by sightseeing bus, the exchange conference commenced at the School of Journalism and Communication in Huxi Campus. During the keynote speech session, Lee Tszyu, Executive Director of the Chongqing Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Association, shared her entrepreneurial journey from Hong Kong to Chongqing. She mentioned her transformation from experiencing a career crisis due to AI technology to actively embracing technological advancements. She encouraged Hong Kong students with her speech, "Chongqing is full of entrepreneurial potential. The city welcomes everyone for development!" Wu Minghua, Associate Professor at the School of Journalism and Communication, used Hong Kong and Chongqing as examples to illustrate how different geographical conditions influence people's life philosophies. She encouraged students to embrace the differences they encounter with curiosity.

Chin Yuhey gives a keynote speech. (Photo/Yang Jinxing)

Afterward, students from both cities shared their personal stories and insights about their cities from a youth perspective. Hong Kong student Chin Yuhey used the bustling life at the foot of Lion Rock as a starting point to introduce the philosophy of life embedded in Wok Hei (the flavor and essence imparted by a hot wok on food during stir-frying) of Hong Kong's food stall (Dai Pai Dong) culture. She described the lively atmosphere in Mong Kok, where the sounds of chefs cooking and diners laughing intertwine; the scene in Causeway Bay, where coins seeking blessings in the game of Villain Hitting jingle; and the excited shouts of young people vying for buns in Cheung Chau. "These vibrant local scenes are the heart of Hong Kong's grassroots culture," she noted. Deng Yihong, a student from Southwest University of Political Science & Law, spoke about the collaborative code in the nine-squared grid hot pot, using it to illustrate the spirit of Chongqing. This hot pot features a unique design, consisting of one pot divided into nine grids, each cooking its own food, symbolizing the city's spirit. "Just as the nine-squared grid hot pot relies on the harmonious cooperation of beef tallow, chili peppers, and peppercorns, the people of Chongqing have cultivated inclusiveness for respecting diversity, treating others kindly, and accepting differences in their lives in this rugged city", said Deng.

AI-Driven Creativity: A Tale of Two Cities in Short Videos

During the group creation session, young students utilized AI tools to compete in producing short videos on the theme of "Chongqing-Hong Kong City Dialogue." After the host introduced the rules and formed the groups, the four teams quickly engaged in warm discussions about the two cities. They identified cultural commonalities and reached a consensus through lively exchanges. Team members collaborated effectively, with some gathering historical and visual materials, while others focused on editing and content creation. The atmosphere was so vibrant that it felt like a creative workshop formed among the students.

A group discussion. (Photo/Yang Jinxing)

Fifty minutes later, four video projects that showcased the collective creativity of the students were unveiled on-site for presentation. The first video, under the theme of "Inclusiveness on the Tip of the Tongue", featured AI-generated animation in which the spicy beef tallow from Chongqing hot pot and the Hong Kong–style milk tea from Hong Kong-style cafe intertwine in front of the camera, highlighting the shared aspects of the inclusive food culture between the two cities. The second video captured the experiences of Hong Kong students in Chongqing, expressing their love for the city in heartfelt language. The fourth team focused on showcasing unique resources that each city possesses, illustrating the urban charm of respecting diversity. However, a technical issue arose during the video playback. Lau Sekfan, a student from City University of Hong Kong, quickly took the stage and created a talk show to lighten the mood, drawing laughter and cheers from the audience.

All the winning team members receive a teddy bear, the mascot of the School of Journalism and Communication. (Photo/Yang Jinxing)

The championship winner was the third team, with Ma Ginwing, a student from Hong Kong Baptist University, as one of the team members. This team's project, centered around the theme "Parallel World", utilized AI special effects to superimpose the night view of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong with the light of Hongyadong in Chongqing. The intersection of the Central office buildings and the Liziba Light Rail station, captured in a virtual space, earned applause and unanimous praise from the judges. Each member of this winning team received a teddy bear mascot from the School of Journalism and Communication. "Students from Chongqing added historical depth to our work, while we offered an international perspective," said Ma after the competition. "This collaboration feels like blending the waters of the Jialing River and Victoria Harbour into the same creative container."

Youth Mission: Finding the Key to Dialogue in Differences

"I expected to see many differences in the way of thinking between us, but I found that we resonated more than I anticipated," said Yang Zixian, a student at Chongqing University, in an interview. During group work with Hong Kong students, they discovered surprising similarities in their understanding of urban memory and perceptions of contemporary development.

The three-hour exchange concluded with laughter and joy. This cultural event, which bridges the mountains and seas, added a new chapter to the story of these two cities through the unique creative language of youth. As twilight settled over the Huxi Campus, students from Hong Kong and Chongqing added each other as new contacts on WeChat and continued this cultural dialogue in a youthful manner.