Chan: Policy Address boosts youth's confidence in future

Editor's note: Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor delivered her fifth Policy Address on Wednesday. How did the people in Hong Kong respond to the new initiatives she outlined? Here are some answers China Daily has gathered.

Joseph Chan Hoi-wing

President of the Hong Kong Youth Association

1. Which policy unveiled in the new Policy Address do you find the most impressive? Why?

I was impressed by the government on how it has put so much effort into solving the housing problem. In the long term, the Policy Address 2021 stated that the government is actively pressing ahead with relevant studies on the reclamation works for the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands and the various development areas in the New Territories North (geographical constituency). In the short term, the government also stated that as much as 700 hectares of land is expected to be used by the government in the coming few years. As a youngster who grew up in Hong Kong, we hope to own property and build a home in this city. Before, it was an expensive dream. However, since the government has shown its determination to solve the housing problem, I am hoping to see the outcome.

2. The new Policy Address used one chapter to highlight the government's plans on youth development and a series of policies to cultivate and attract talents in various sectors. What's your take on these efforts?

As a youth who grew up in Hong Kong, I definitely appreciate that the government put so much emphasis on youth development, as well as its efforts to attract talents in various sectors. Indeed, after the social movement happened in 2019, the government should understand the great importance of educating our youth properly. The actions and speeches made by young protesters during the social movement revealed their misunderstanding of China and their own identity. So I am glad to see that the government is trying to strengthen the national education and values education, which is important for our next generation.

On the other hand, we should understand that Hong Kong is an international city, and it is normal for talents from all around the world to come in and go out. Also, I don't really agree that there is a brain drain in Hong Kong. Instead, more and more Hong Kong young people have decided to go to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and have tried to explore a bigger market in recent years. According to my observation, most of them still have strong ties with Hong Kong, and these talents are contributing to Hong Kong in their own ways.

3. This year's Policy Address mentioned that the central government may look into the possibility of facilitating the flow of talents between Guangdong province and Hong Kong. What are your expectations of these arrangements?

In the future, I believe that Hong Kong will become a very attractive city for research talents. According to the Policy Address, the government will cooperate a lot with Shenzhen in the innovation and technology area. My understanding is that Hong Kong has a great advantage in academic research, and Shenzhen is very good at commercializing these academic outcomes into the market. And hence, there are great opportunities for research talents to build up their careers in Hong Kong. Furthermore, the Hong Kong chief executive also mentioned that she is proposing to the central government facilitating the flow of talents between Guangdong and Hong Kong, including the non-Chinese nationals in Hong Kong. If the time cost of traveling between Hong Kong and other cities in Greater Bay Area could be shortened in the future, this advantage of Hong Kong will be further strengthened. For every youth living in Hong Kong, if you can be familiar with the culture in both Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, having great adaptability to live in any city in the Greater Bay Area, you will become very valuable in the future.