Public Policy Forum on Local Youth and mainland China
In response to the recent efforts made by the HKSAR government to facilitate the socio-economic integration in the Greater Bay Area, a public policy forum featuring the opportunities and challenges faced by Hong Kong Youth who works/ would work in mainland China was held on Jun 21, 2018 by the Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, CUHK. Professor Fanny Cheung, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, gave a welcome speech to kick off the event.
Professor Wilson Wong, Programme Director of MPUP, was invited to host the forum.
Mr. Kenneth Fok Kai Kong, JP, National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Member of Youth Development Commission, HKSAR, shed light on the changes and development undergoing in China. With the economic focus shifting from real estate and provision of cheap labor to experiential consumption such as tourism, arts and culture and etc., he believed that the competitive advantages of Hong Kong over those industries could provide lots of opportunities to Hong Kong Youth if they were willing to work in mainland China.
Professor Antony Fung from the School of Journalism and Communication of CUHK presented some key findings of his research on the views of Hong Kong Youth towards pursuing study, working and living in mainland China. Differences are identified between youth with exchange studies and/or internship experience in mainland China and those without. The change of view before and after such experience is also analyzed.
The study concluded five major areas causing concerns to Hong Kong Youth when considering whether to study, work or live in mainland China, namely (1) freedom of information, (2) personal safety, (3) the difference of culture at work, (4) tendency to migrate and (5) the varying perceptions of “opportunities in mainland” due to different fields of study.
The forum also received some constructive recommendations on how government policies can potentially facilitate Hong Kong Youth to work in mainland China.
