Chinese culture boasts a long history and profound richness. The Hong Kong Jockey Club believes that the inheritance of Chinese civilisation depends on the understanding and participation of successive generations, particularly young people. In support of this vision, a commendation ceremony for the second cohort of the Jockey Club Exploring Chinese Culture Ambassador Programme was held today (16 August) to honour ambassadors who have completed the programme, celebrating their dedication to learning about and preserving cultural heritage.
Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and organised by Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF), the programme aims to deepen students’ understanding and practice of traditional Chinese culture through a series of educational experiences. Showcasing the achievements of Chinese Culture Ambassadors over the past year, a Chinese Culture Funfair is underway at Tai Kwun until 17 August. Through interactive booths, live performances and workshops, members of the public can enjoy a rich and immersive cultural experience.
Guests in attendance at the ceremony included Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government; Lin Nan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Anita Fung, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Chairman of Our Hong Kong Foundation; Lee Yeh-kwong, Honourary Chairman of the Council of the Academy of Chinese Studies; Prof Lee Chack-fan, Chairman of the Council of the Academy of Chinese Studies; Dr Jane Lee, President of Our Hong Kong Foundation; and Dr Yau Yat, Executive Director of The Academy of Chinese Studies.
The Club has long been committed to promoting Chinese culture and fostering its appreciation among the public, particularly the younger generation, and to strengthening Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange as outlined in the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Anita Fung said that since its launch in 2024, the Jockey Club Exploring Chinese Culture Ambassador Programme has deepened students’ understanding and practice of Chinese culture, while nurturing cultural confidence and humanistic values through diverse learning experiences. This year, the programme attracted more than 50,000 student attendances. The three-year programme is expected to benefit more than 75,000 students, teachers and community members.
The Jockey Club Exploring Chinese Culture Ambassador Programme is guided by three themes: Art of Handicraft, Art of Architecture and Art of Costumes. Through cultural heritage craftsmanship, traditional attire and architecture, the programme enables students to appreciate the richness of traditional Chinese culture and cultivate positive values and character traits. The three-year programme is implemented by OHKF’s Academy of Chinese Studies.
The programme comprises four progressively structured levels of learning activities, providing students with a comprehensive journey of discovery into the beauty of Chinese culture. The first level features school visits by cultural groups, which engage students through interactive taster sessions on Chinese culture. The second level offers hands-on experiences in practices such as a tea ceremony, lion dance, Cantonese opera and traditional architectural modelling, combining practical engagement with intellectual exploration. Students who demonstrate potential and enthusiasm are selected to join the third-level Chinese Culture Ambassador Training Programme, which includes intensive training and study visits in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. At the fourth level, students who have completed the training will promote Chinese culture through activities in care institutions through collaborations with community organisations.
The Club’s support for the Jockey Club Exploring Chinese Culture Ambassador Programme, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.
About The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class sports and entertainment organisation that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, membership, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2024/25, the Club returned a total of HK$39.1 billion to the community. This included HK$30.1 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$9.0 billion in approved charity donations. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s leading charity donors.
