On the eve of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Professor Zhao Weishu from the School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), who also serves as Vice Dean of the Institute of Deep-sea Life and Resources, visited Hong Kong's Pui Kiu Middle School and Meng Tak Catholic School (Meng Man Wai College) to deliver lectures. Coordinated by the SJTU Education Development Foundation, Professor Zhao shared her firsthand experiences in deep-sea scientific expeditions, bringing cutting-edge science outreach to local youth and introducing Hong Kong secondary school students to China's latest advances in hadal science and extreme life sciences, thereby promoting youth sci-tech exchanges between Shanghai and Hong Kong.

On the morning of September 28, a flag-raising ceremony was held at Pui Kiu Middle School. Following the ceremony, Professor Zhao delivered a lecture on deep-sea frontier science and technology to the students. After the event, Professor Zhao visited the Shanghai Pudong Association in Hong Kong and exchanged views with its representatives on promoting youth exchanges between Shanghai and Hong Kong and deepening cooperation between the university and the association. Professor Zhao expressed her hope that science could serve as a bridge to help more young people in Hong Kong understand the nation's progress in deep-sea science and technology.

On September 29, Professor Zhao was invited to Meng Tak Catholic School (Meng Man Wai College) to give a sharing session. In her presentation, she traced the development of China's hadal scientific expeditions, drawing on her own participation in deep-sea missions such as those in the Mariana Trench, to offer Hong Kong students an accessible yet vivid frontier science lecture. The talk covered the journey of China's deep-sea technology from its early beginnings to its rise to the forefront of the world, the manned submersible Fendouzhe (Striver), the unique life mechanisms of hadal microorganisms, and their potential applications in biotechnology, medicine, and artificial intelligence. With a wealth of research examples and vivid stories, she introduced the efforts of Chinese scientists to promote international open cooperation in the field of extreme life sciences. Students actively asked questions about deep-sea organisms and manned submersible technology. One student remarked that the lecture gave them a real sense of the dedication of scientists behind the nation's major engineering achievements, and sparked a strong interest in life science research and the country's scientific and technological development.

This science outreach trip represents a practical initiative by the School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology to leverage its research strengths and promote Shanghai-Hong Kong sci-tech exchanges. It also reflects the School's active exploration in supporting the University's efforts to deepen cooperation with Hong Kong, enhance the effectiveness of science and technology services, and strengthen regional interaction and dialogue. The School will continue to support faculty and students in participating in exchanges and cooperation with Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, deepen cooperation with Hong Kong schools and various sectors of society in areas such as science popularization and talent cultivation, and contribute to the integrated development of Shanghai and Hong Kong.