Youth reminded of nation’s opportunities

Young people in Hong Kong should be more openminded about embracing the nation’s development and not delay in seizing the great opportunities the nation’s progress offers, members of a youth delegation visiting the Chinese mainland urged on Friday.

The delegation members made their call when meeting with Vice-Premier Han Zheng in Beijing as they wrapped up their five-day visit to Shenzhen, Wuhan and the country’s capital.

Delegation member Steven Lam Hoi-yuen, founder of Hong Kong’s first unicorn enterprise GoGoVan, said his own experience proves that the mainland offers a broad market and great opportunities for startup companies.

Lam’s company, an intracity logistics platform, which had merged with leading mainland freight and delivery service provider 58 Suyun last year, now provides services to more than 170 cities.

Lam foresees the Belt and Road Initiative and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area creating many opportunities. He advised his Hong Kong peers to seize opportunities and actively integrate into the nation’s development.

Eric Tse, chief executive of human resources platform Liepin North America, said witnessing the country’s booming development of science and technology has reinforced his sense of national identity and pride.

Tse said talents and innovative ideas are in great demand in the nation’s scitech development; Hong Kong youths can seize chances and leverage their advantages in academic achievements, as well as their strengths in having an international horizon and blended cultural background.

Florence Ng Mei-yee, a student from the University of Hong Kong, said her internship and exchange experience in different mainland cities helped her to learn about the country’s rapid development and enrich her knowledge of local cultures.

She hoped more Hong Kong students can have unforgettable memories and experience on the mainland.

Delegation head Kenneth Fok Kai-kong stressed that cross-boundary and crossdepartment collaboration and connection were an important part of youth work.

Fok — a Hong Kong member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top political advisory body — also noted that some concrete cross-boundary policies still needed to be specified and improved. This includes tax, insurance, pension and qualification certificates in some professional fields.

Hong Kong’s young people would then enjoy more convenience and be more willing to integrate into the nation’s overall development, Fok added.