(Hong Kong, May 15, 2025) The Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (the Foundation) recently launched the 'Mainland Exchange Programme 2025' to support Hong Kong youths in conducting extensive exchanges and achieving deeper integration with the Mainland. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the Foundation approving funding for 38 non-profit organisations, benefiting over 1,500 participants. The total funding amount reaches up to HKD 5.3 million.

The funded projects cover diverse themes, including artificial intelligence, aerospace technology, history and culture, humanities and arts, ecological conservation, sports, and intangible cultural heritage. The exchange tours span 36 cities across 13 provinces nationwide. Through these initiatives, the Foundation aims to build a bridge for Hong Kong youth to learn about the nation and fostering a sense of patriotism and belonging.

The ‘Mainland Exchange Programme 2025’ Launch Ceremony, held on May 15 at YO PLACE, was graced by several distinguished guests including Mr ZHANG Guolai, Second-class Inspector of Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Mr Eric CHAN Sui-wai, Commissioner for Youth, Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Government of the HKSAR; Mr Alex YEUNG, member of the National Committee for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Vice Chairman of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation; Mr Perry YIU Pak-leung, Legislative Council Member (Tourism) of the HKSAR; Mr HU Zhang-hong, CEO of Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments Limited; Mr YANG Bin, CEO of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation and representatives from various funded organisations participating in the exchange programme.

Gain a Multi-faceted Perspective on National Progress & Broaden Youths’ Horizons

Mr Alex YEUNG, Vice Chairman of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, remarked, ‘The Foundation launched this exchange programme with the hope that, through first-hand experiences, Hong Kong youth can gain a deeper understanding of the country's progress and further integrate into the nation’s overall development. Participants will broaden their horizons through thoughtfully designed journeys and gain valuable insights. They will not only learn about the country's cutting-edge technologies and major infrastructure, but also experience the motherland's diverse culture and natural beauty.’

He added, 'When youth thrive, Hong Kong thrives.'  Young people are the future of Hong Kong and bear the shared hopes of the nation and Hong Kong. The Foundation has always placed great importance on the growth and development of young people.  Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen cooperation with the HKSAR Government, youth organisations, and schools to provide more diverse exchange opportunities for the younger generation.’

Mr Eric CHAN Sui-wai, Commissioner for Youth, Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Government of the HKSAR stated, ‘The Government is deeply committed to youth development, with a vision to nurture a new generation of young people who have a deep affection for our country and Hong Kong while being equipped with global perspectives, an aspiring mindset, and positive thinking. To achieve this, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau has actively implemented a wide range of Mainland exchange and internship programmes. These initiatives provide Hong Kong youths with first-hand experience of our nation, enabling them to seize the vast opportunities arising from key national strategies, and ultimately turn their aspirations into reality.’

Exchange Programmes Span the Country

The various funded projects target young people aged 12 to 30. Exchange tours reach far and wide across the country, including Hulunbuir and Ergun in Inner Mongolia, Wenchang and Sanya in Hainan Island, Qingdao, Xi’an, Luoyang, Changsha, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Jingdezhen, Chengdu, Guilin, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

One highlight project is the ‘The Pillars of a Great Power - LinkUp Hainan Aerospace Rocket Study Tour’ organised by the Hong Kong Youth Alliance. Mr WONG Kwok-sang, President of the Hong Kong Youth Alliance, stated that the participants will visit the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan to witness the awe-inspiring moment of a rocket launch up close. They will also hear from aerospace experts about China’s latest advancements in space technology. In addition, participants will explore local cultural and tourist attractions, including a coconut processing factory, the Wenchang Confucius Temple, Haikou’s historic Qilou Old Street, and jungle expeditions, offering a mix of ancient and modern experiences across land, sea and air.

In response to President Xi Jinping’s call to research into border control and the development of border defence forces, the Hong Kong United Youth Association (HKUYA) Student Exchange Network Alliance organised the ‘HKUYA SNA Inner Mongolia Study Tour’. Participants will visit Hulunbuir, a city bordering Russia, in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Mr Stephen CHUA, Executive Vice Chairman of the HKUYA, expressed that this initiative will allow Hong Kong youths to appreciate the stunning scenery of the vast grasslands and deserts. Through visits to local museums and enterprises, participants will learn about the intangible cultural heritage of the Ewenki people, such as the craft of making sunflowers. This experience is designed to deepen their understanding of border life and culture, as well as the longstanding ties between China and neighbouring European countries.

Through dance and cultural arts exchanges, young people can further understand the history of our country. Ms LUK Yun-mee, Education Director of the Hong Kong Dance Federation, designed the ‘National History, Culture & Art Exchange at Xi’an and Luoyang’. Thirty talented dance students, including senior students from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and winners of inter-school dance awards, were selected for the programme. They have prepared six to seven stage-ready performances. The group will visit the Shaanxi Grand Theatre for cultural exchange and learn the traditional drum dance before heading to Luoyang for performances and hands-on experience in crafting the Tang tri-coloured pottery.

Another unique exchange project is the ‘Greater Bay Area Youth Green Sailing Initiative’ led by the Hong Kong Yacht & Start-Up Association (HKYSUA), which involves sailing from Hong Kong to Macao. Mr Andy LEE, President of the HKIYSUA, mentioned that the team will include ethnic minorities, students from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and elite athletes from the City University of Hong Kong. Among them is Mak Kwai-chung, a social sciences student at CityU and a representative of Hong Kong's rugby sevens team which won the 2022 Asian Series championship. Mak looks forward to sailing to Macao to visit the Macao Marine Sports Club, and the Marine and Water Bureau besides exchanges with faculty and students from Macau University of Science and Technology to broaden his horizons.

The Foundation hopes young people will use this opportunity to observe, learn, and reflect —  summarising and sharing their experiences from the journey and turning them into valuable life assets. From the perspective of youth, they can tell the nation's story and spread positive energy.

1. The ‘Mainland Exchange Programme 2025' Kick-off Ceremony was officiated by Mr ZHANG Guolai, Second-class Inspector of Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR (3rd from right), Mr Eric CHAN, Commissioner for Youth, Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Government of the HKSAR (3rd from left), Mr Alex YEUNG, member of the National Committee for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Vice Chairman of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (2nd from right), Mr Perry YIU, Legislative Council Member (Tourism) of the HKSAR (2nd from left), Mr HU Zhang-hong, CEO of Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments Limited (1st from right) and Mr YANG Bin, CEO of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (1st from left)

2.Mr Alex YEUNG, a member of the National Committee for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Vice Chairman of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, shared the programme's mission and vision

3. Mr Eric CHAN Sui-wai, Commissioner for Youth, Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, presented his speech at the ceremony

4.Representatives of some of the funded projects shared their programme highlights

5. Group photo of the officiating guests and representatives from the participating organisations