Hong Kong official urges young journalists to tell China's stories at 2026 university awards
Hong Kong Deputy Chief Secretary addresses the 2026 University News Awards, praising students' work and urging them to tell China's stories to the world. The event also features a photo exhibition ahead of the APEC summit in Shenzhen.
Hong Kong Deputy Chief Secretary addressed the 2026 University News Awards ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Shenzhen Research Institute on 26 October, congratulating award-winning students and encouraging them to become storytellers for China on the global stage.
The awards, established in 2012, aim to discover talented journalists and provide a platform for students from across the Taiwan Strait, Hong Kong and Macao to exchange ideas and apply their learning. This year's competition attracted more than 1,000 entries from 101 schools.
Citing Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks that youth are a vital force for national rejuvenation, the official said students are the future of the country and the nation. He urged them to hone both hard and soft journalistic skills while remembering their mission to present the latest realities of China's development to the world through quality journalism.
Noting that China is at the start of its 15th Five-Year Plan and entering a golden era of high-level opening up, he said the news media must enhance international communication and competitiveness to expand the country's circle of friends globally. He described journalism as a bridge connecting people across societies and civilisations.
The ceremony was held alongside the Dynamic Asia Photo Exhibition 2026, featuring 97 works by 54 photographers from 17 countries and regions. The exhibition, timed ahead of the APEC summit in Shenzhen next month, aims to capture the human stories and development of the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting the core spirit of building a shared Asia-Pacific community of prosperity.
The official concluded by wishing students success and encouraging them to pursue further studies or work in Hong Kong, contributing to national rejuvenation with youthful energy and pioneering spirit.
