SHYA continues visit in Beijing (with photos)
18.7.2023

The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, continued her visit in Beijing today (July 18). Miss Mak attended the inauguration ceremony of the Youth Internship Programme at Chinese Academy of Sciences this morning to show support for the 16 Hong Kong youths who will soon start their six-week internship at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has partnered with the Chinese Academy of Sciences since 2018 to organise the internship programme, with an aim to enhance young people's understanding and knowledge of the country's top-tier research and development on advanced science and technology so that they could acquire work skills and get well-prepared for their personal development in the future. Speaking at the ceremony, Miss Mak said, "The National 14th FiveâYear Plan has established Hong Kong's 'eight centres' positioning, which includes developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre. I believe this precious internship experience will broaden students' horizons and help them capitalise on the enormous opportunities brought by the development of innovation and technology." Miss Mak then called on the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong. Mr Xia attached great importance to, and recognised, the HKSAR's work on improving district governance. Miss Mak gave an overview of the latest progress on home and youth affairs work, including reform of District Councils, strengthening the district governance structure and youth development, etc. With Hong Kong embarking on a new journey to advance from stability to prosperity, the Government will further improve governance and faithfully implement the "one country, two systems" principle. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) will make efforts to keep its finger on the pulse of the community at this critical period in order to continue enhancing the governance efficacy of the Government. In the afternoon, Miss Mak and the team visited Hong Kong youths on internships at the Sub-district Office of Haidian District. She then met with the officers of the Sub-district Office to conduct in-depth exchanges on the practical experience of grassroots governance in Hong Kong and sub-districts of the Mainland city, especially efforts on listening to the views of the residents in resolving district issues. Miss Mak and her team then visited the Beijing Youth Palace and met with the honorary president of the Beijing Youth Federation, Mr Zheng Xiaobo, to share the Youth Development Blueprint released at the end of last year by the HYAB, and to discuss ways to strengthen mutual visits and exchange activities between youths of the two places. Miss Mak and the team also visited the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and met with the Chairperson of the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the National Committee of the CPPCC, Mr Liu Cigui. They exchanged views on ways to promote Hong Kong young people to integrate into the overall development of the country. Before leaving Beijing tomorrow (July 19), the delegation will meet with the All-China Women's Federation and exchange views with its Vice-President, Ms Lin Yi, to learn from the experiences of women's organisations on the Mainland so as to take forward efforts on work related to Hong Kong's women. Miss Mak and her team will conclude the visit to Beijing and return to Hong Kong tomorrow afternoon.