Publisher: External Liaison Office 

Date: April 23, 2024

In a groundbreaking move, the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exam was conducted for the first time at mainland examination venues on April 11th. The Affiliated School of JNU for Hong Kong and Macao`s Students, as the inaugural DSE examination venue in mainland China and the first in Guangzhou, hosted 53 Grade 6 students eligible to take the exam locally, eliminating the need for cross-border travel to Hong Kong. These students, alongside their counterparts in Hong Kong, tackled the same test paper and were evaluated based on identical assessment criteria.

(Affiliated School of JNU for Hong Kong and Macao`s Students)

Preparations at the Affiliated School of JNU for Hong Kong and Macao`s Students, the pioneering mainland DSE examination center, were meticulous. On the exam day, Wei Xiangdong, Secretary General of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, personally supervised the examination proceedings at the school in Guangzhou. Representatives from the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Jinan University, the Education Bureau of Guangzhou City, and the Guangdong Provincial Examination and Examination Institute were present to oversee the smooth conduct of the exams.

To ensure the integrity of the exam process, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority dispatched testing directors and invigilators to Guangzhou, collaborating with local examination staff to uphold examination standards. Stringent measures, including multiple venue inspections and comprehensive logistical support, were implemented to mirror the exam setup in Hong Kong, guaranteeing fair and confidential exam conditions for all candidates.

Parents of Hong Kong students expressed delight at the convenience offered by the mainland examination venue, sparing them the logistical challenges and expenses associated with traveling to Hong Kong for the exams. Students exiting the Chinese language written exam at the Affiliated School of JNU for Hong Kong and Macao`s Students exuded confidence in their performance, citing the simplicity of the questions and the favorable exam environment.

(Police officers were deployed to maintain order outside the school gate, ensuring the smooth conduct of the exam.)

The establishment of mainland DSE examination centers marks a significant milestone in educational exchange and integration within the Greater Bay Area. This initiative not only addresses practical challenges faced by Hong Kong students pursuing further education but also enhances the international recognition of the DSE, positioning Hong Kong as a prominent international education hub. The move is expected to attract students from mainland China and neighboring regions to pursue educational opportunities in Hong Kong, bolstering the city's educational and talent landscape.