Future of HK youths lies in city's integration into national development

Editor's Note: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region celebrated the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Here are some of the thoughts which people in the city shared with China Daily, as they look at what the country has achieved and anticipate the tremendous opportunities ahead for the SAR.

By Kenneth Leung Yuk-wai

Chairman of the Hong Kong United Youth Association

On this special day, I wish our country a harmonious and prosperous future, and may Hong Kong flourish with the guidance of our country! To celebrate our country's anniversary, I was honored to have attended the flag-raising ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. In the afternoon, I took my baby to see national flag installations at various sites around town. He loved it so much, and we took lots of photos.

To ensure Hong Kong continues to develop and flourish, it is important to provide Hong Kong youths with necessary resources and opportunities. Take student and youth exchanges for example. Now, under the new normal, we have virtual internships, and we've also found new ways to focus more on local internships. In the past, incentives and developmental initiatives for youths were limited; however, the policy support from the Chinese mainland has opened up boundless opportunities for success and a brighter future for Hong Kong youths. And I look forward to helping the youths better use the policies and integrating those new ways and methods when the pandemic is over.

Hong Kong's integration into the nation's development is very significant and also a lifetime opportunity for Hong Kong young people, especially the eight new measures put forward a few days ago, to better support their development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. These measures make every effort to break down barriers and build up mutual understanding.

The Hong Kong United Youth Association will continue learning and spreading key views and opportunities laid out by the 14th Five-Year Plan and the Greater Bay Area, taking actions and carrying out implementations through liaising with relevant parties to help the integration of Hong Kong youth into our country's development.

The most valuable policy is definitely the groundbreaking invention of "one country, two systems". In the new era, to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems", we must always adhere to the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" because this principle is not only fundamental to national sovereignty, security, and development interests, but also to the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

And the most significant policy on youth work undoubtedly goes to the eight new supportive measures. These measures cover several youth-related areas, including education, employment, entrepreneurship, internships, living, and other aspects that are expected to help Hong Kong youth integrate into national development.

I believe the city's future lies with its integration with the nation's development and the collaboration of young people between the mainland and Hong Kong since youths are the future. They need to seize the opportunities provided by the central government and jump on the springboard to achieve their dreams.

For example, just like the development plan of the Greater Bay Area, on the one hand Hong Kong will enhance the role and functions of the Greater Bay Area in the country's two-way opening up; on the other hand, HK will facilitate the development of industries in which Hong Kong's strengths lie in the Greater Bay Area. The chances are all in our hands to seize, and so are the opportunities for our young people.