In July, the sea breeze in Shenzhen carries the warmth of summer, and YANTIAN is once again preparing to welcome a long-awaited reunion from a thousand miles away. The story began in 2003, when YANTIAN donated funds to build Dahaicun Hope Primary School in Yunnan. From that moment on, a special bond was forged between the mountains and the sea. For 23 years, the tides have ebbed and flowed, but love has never ceased to ripple between them. Across a thousand miles of mountains and sea, distance has gradually given way to a connection that brings hearts closer together. Now, this cherished "Mountain-and-Sea Reunion" is embarking on another journey, right on schedule.

The Sea from Their Books, Finally Within Reach

First stop: Chung Ying Street. The children stepped into a century of history as they explored its old stone-paved lanes, where the everyday life of two cities unfolds side by side. Through the guide's stories, the history of "one street, two systems" came vividly to life. Stretching just a few hundred metres, the street connects Shenzhen on one side with Hong Kong on the other, offering a vivid glimpse into the deep-rooted ties and ongoing integration between the two cities.

In the afternoon, Xiaomeisha Sea World became the children's first adventure into the deep blue. At the seaside, waves rolled gently ashore, playfully soaking their trouser legs. The children laughed as they hopped backward, then ran forward to chase the waves once more. At that very moment, the "sea" they had only read about in their books came alive—no longer a distant image on a page, but something they could see, touch, and embrace.

Take in the Sights, Plant Seeds for the Future

If seeing the sea fulfills the children's longing, then visiting a university and a port is about opening their eyes to new possibilities and planting seeds for the future. Strolling along the tree-lined paths of Shenzhen University, the children watched sunlight filter through the plane trees, scattering flecks of gold across the campus. Surrounded by the energy of youth and the spirit of learning, "university" was no longer a distant concept. It became a future they could see, imagine, and aspire to.

As port people, we naturally wanted to show the children the place we know best. In the Central Control Room at YANTIAN, a giant screen brought the entire port to life, displaying its every movement in real time. The children watched in awe as quay cranes towering dozens of metres above the ground precisely lifted containers one after another, while massive vessels—larger than their school buildings—berthed, loaded and unloaded, and then set sail for destinations around the world.

At Dapeng Customs, the children learned for the first time how cargoes make their way from here to the world. And they discovered something they had never imagined: The sea is more than waves and horizons. It is also a pathway connecting us to the world.

Spark Curiosity, Nurture Hope

The fourth day of the study tour was all about exploration and history. Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum opened a window into the future. Curiosity sparked at every turn, and every "Why?" seemed to hold a glimmer of possibility. At the "Great Tide Rises from the Pearl River" Exhibition Hall, old photographs and artifacts told the story of a city's remarkable transformation—from a small fishing village dotted with the lights of fishing boats to a vibrant international metropolis glowing with possibility. The story of Shenzhen's spirit of hard work, determination, and perseverance quietly found its way into the children's hearts—and began to take root.

The journey also held a tender moment. At Sungang Stationery City, the children picked out the stationery they loved. And in every pen, every notebook, and every carefully chosen page was a simple, heartfelt wish from YANTIAN: May every young dreamer immerse themselves in learning, pursue their dreams, and set sail toward a brighter future.

Along the way, the children discovered the vastness of the sea, the wonder of technology, and the story of a city—its past, its present, and its promise for the future. If the first few days were about "seeing the world," then the day of the friendship gathering was about "meeting one another." It was the day the children from Dahaicun Hope Primary School met the children attending the summer camp for YANTIAN employees' families. Children need little time to become friends. You share a story; I open a window to your world. A child's heart is the shortest distance between people, and kindness is the warmest light.

At the gathering, Lawrence Shum, Managing Director of Hutchison Ports YANTIAN, warmly welcomed the children who had travelled from afar. He encouraged them to dream boldly, pursue their dreams with courage, and grow up happy and confident. Huang Bixing, a teacher from Dahaicun Hope Primary School, also took the stage to thank YANTIAN for more than two decades of steadfast commitment and support. He extended a warm invitation to everyone, looking forward to welcoming them in Yunnan.

No Distance Can Divide Us, Love Finds Its Way

The week-long study tour passed by faster than anyone had imagined. At the closing ceremony, the children shared what they had learned and experienced in voices that were young, yet full of conviction:

"I love the sea the most, because it’s so, so big."

"I want to go to university in Shenzhen when I grow up."

"Thank you, uncles and aunties. I'll study hard."

A week may be short, but the promise between the mountains and the sea has never faded. May the children carry the gentleness of the sea and the strength of the city with them as they journey toward the future, growing with confidence and reaching for the light.

Since 2003, YANTIAN and Dahaicun Hope Primary School in Yunnan have been brought together by love and the sea. That year, YANTIAN first set foot in the school nestled deep in the mountains. From then on, the journey never stopped.

For more than two decades, generation after generation of children have travelled from the mountains to the sea. For every child, this encounter spanning a thousand miles has opened up new possibilities for their future.

This enduring commitment is YANTIAN's way of giving back to society and planting seeds for the future. Every seed carries the promise of something more. We believe that one day, flowers will bloom across the hillsides, waves will roll toward distant shores, and every child will grow into the person they dream of becoming.

No distance can divide us. Love always finds a way. See you again next summer.