On July 11, 2007, the 38-person delegation of winners of the 1st Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was received by Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei.

Minister Yang extended a warm welcome to the students from Hong Kong. He said it is of great significance to hold the Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Content on the 10th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong and it is a joyful thing to see that the students are interested in the development of international situation and the motherland's diplomatic undertaking. The development of a country is closely linked with the international situation. In today's fluctuating world, you, the students, need to not only know Hong Kong well, but also know well the mainland, the world, and the motherland's diplomatic policies. I believe that through such an activity, you can broaden your vision, increase your knowledge and give more care and support to the motherland's diplomatic undertaking.

Yang said that in the past ten years since Hong Kong's return, the diplomatic guideline of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and "a high degree of autonomy" was fully implemented. Hong Kong has maintained its prosperity and stability. The Oriental Pearl becomes even brighter than ever. You, the students, are the future of Hong Kong, the future of the motherland, and the future of a beautiful world. I hope that you could work hard, love Hong Kong and the motherland, and become the elites and pillars of Hong Kong and the motherland.

Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei hoped that the students could cherish the time to work hard to learn knowledge and skills and learn how to get along with people and how to do things and strive to make contributions to the development of Hong Kong and the motherland. He also presented the picture albums, The 50-Year History of China's Diplomacy and The World in Diplomats' Eyes, to the sponsors and winners of the contest.

The students also audited the regular press conference of the ministry, listened to the introductions to the motherland's diplomatic policies, and visited the exhibition of the 50-year history of China's diplomacy and the exhibition of historical data in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return. The students indicated that the visit was colorful and unforgettable and they now had a closer feel of the motherland's diplomatic undertaking and a stronger sense of belongings and recognition for the motherland.

The 1st Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest was jointly sponsored by the Commissioner's Office, the Education and Manpower Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and the Better Hong Kong Foundation. It lasted for 6 months. There were altogether nearly 50,000 students from 131 middle schools in Hong Kong attending the contest. The winners of the contest were invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to visit Beijing from July 8 to July 11.