Hong Kong youth committee discusses Beijing flag-education trip and five-year plan
The Youth Development Committee met on 4 November to review a high-profile Beijing visit by Hong Kong and Macao student flag teams. Officials outlined new youth measures in the city's first five-year plan and policy address, including patriotic education, international exchanges and emerging-sector
The Youth Development Committee held its 23rd meeting on 4 November, chaired by Chief Secretary for Administration Cheuk-yin Chan, to review youth initiatives and upcoming policy measures.
The Education Bureau briefed members on the “Salute to the National Flag” Beijing visit programme for Hong Kong and Macao secondary-school flag teams. The high-level youth exchange took place from 18 to 22 September. The delegation was received at the Great Hall of the People by Ding Xuexiang, Chinese Vice-Premier and member of the Communist Party Central Committee's Politburo Standing Committee, who conveyed “cordial messages and instructions” from President Xi Jinping and the central government. Participants watched the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square and interacted with the Chinese People's Liberation Army Guard of Honour. The programme aims to deepen students' understanding of national identity and patriotism through exposure to Beijing's historical and cultural heritage and the nation's developmental achievements.
Committee members also heard government briefings on youth-related initiatives in the First Five-Year Plan for the Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address. The five-year plan emphasises expanding space for youth development and supporting young people in pursuing their aspirations, with a focus on education, employment, entrepreneurship and home ownership. It aims to nurture talent that serves national needs while leveraging Hong Kong's strengths, through activities that inspire young people, foster patriotism and enhance international exchanges.
The Policy Address proposes measures including deepening patriotic education; establishing an international youth talent exchange hub; strengthening co-operation with international organisations to create more global opportunities for youth; expanding internship and training programmes in finance, aerospace technology, high-end research and artificial intelligence; and optimising the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau's youth start-up internship scheme. These are intended to help young people broaden their international perspectives, gain practical experience in emerging fields and better integrate into and serve the national development agenda.
Mr Chan said the Beijing visit had achieved “fruitful results”. To consolidate and deepen the educational impact, the government will adopt peer-mentoring and territory-wide participation strategies to roll out follow-up activities, turning students' experiences into sustainable teaching and learning resources so that “the spirit of the national flag takes root on campus and more young people know, respect and defend the national flag”. He added that the government would continue working with the Youth Development Committee and mobilising community forces to implement measures under the five-year plan, the Policy Address and the Youth Development Blueprint, supporting young people in pursuing their dreams and contributing to a “more exciting and broader future”.
