Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – The opening ceremony of the 2nd “Four Continents Cup” Hong Kong International University Go Open Tournament was held at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology on the evening of the 10th. In his speech, Erick Tsang, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the Hong Kong SAR Government, stated that Hong Kong has always promoted patriotic education, and cultural education is also a part of patriotic education. Go, as a symbol of culture, plays a positive role in promoting patriotic education.
The tournament was founded in 2023 and is organized by the Hong Kong Greater Bay Area Go Promotion Association, sponsored by the Four Continents Group and Li Ning Limited, with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology as a partner and providing the competition venue. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's Interdisciplinary School, the Hong Kong Go Academy, and the Hong Kong Go Youth Training Academy are co-organizers; the Ningxia Helan Mountain East Foothill Grape and Wine Federation and Shanghai Yuanluobo Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. are supporting units.
Eric Tsang stated that Go is one of China's national treasures, a crystallization of the wisdom and will of the Chinese nation, embodying the profoundness and rich heritage of Eastern culture. This competition promotes Go and traditional Chinese culture among young people in Hong Kong, and provides a platform for Go enthusiasts from different regions to showcase their talents, exchange skills, and enhance friendship. It also makes a positive contribution to the global popularization and development of Go, and ultimately to the promotion of Chinese culture worldwide.
In her speech, Xu Ying, President of the Hong Kong Greater Bay Area Go Promotion Association, stated that the "Four Continents Cup" Hong Kong International University Go Open is the first large-scale event held since the establishment of the Hong Kong Greater Bay Area Go Promotion Association. Its success is inseparable from the strong support of all sectors of society, and she believes that the flower of Go will surely bloom brilliantly on Hong Kong soil.
Xu Ying said, "Go is an excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation. I am very fortunate to have been able to accompany Go for decades. As a Go player, I firmly believe that if Go is good, I am good. I also hope to let more people understand and love Go, and contribute to the development of Go culture."
At the meeting, Qu Huamin, Dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nie Weiping, the "Go Saint" of China, and Dai Defeng, Chairman of the Four Continents Group and Permanent Honorary President of the Hong Kong Greater Bay Area Go Promotion Association, also delivered speeches.
Over the next two days, university students from mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, and Macau will compete in six rounds of live matches at the Tsang Shiu Tim Sports Centre at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
It is understood that the Hong Kong Greater Bay Area Go Promotion Association was founded by Xu Ying, the Women's World Go Champion, and registered in Hong Kong in early 2023. Its aim is to promote the popularization and development of Go culture in Hong Kong, while also building bridges to facilitate Go exchanges between Hong Kong and mainland China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States. (End)
