On October 26, the launch ceremony for the 2024-2025 Hong Kong Security Bureau Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum (Leaders Forum) and Shenzhen University (SZU)'s Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Development and Exchange Programtook place at the Qiming Building on SZU's Lihu Campus. The event brought together leaders from the Hong Kong and Macao governments, as well as SZU, including Tang Ping-keung, Hong Kong Secretary for Security; Lam Io Fan, Director of the Research and Development Department of the Academy of Public Security Forces of Macao; and Li Qingquan, Party Secretary of SZU and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, along with Vice Presidents Wang Yongcheng and Zhang Xiaohong. Two-time Olympic champion Lin Yue,Leaders ForumPresident Cheung Wah-fung,and Leaders Forum Advisor Sandy Lau also attended the ceremony. Additionally, distinguished guests from various sectors in Hong Kong, Macao, and Shenzhen, as well as heads of relevant departments and colleges at SZU, were present at the event.
In line with the 2022 and 2023 Policy Addresses of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Hong Kong Security Bureau established the Leaders Forum in 2022 to enhance youth development in this new era. This initiative provides diverse learning and internship opportunities and facilitates exchanges with universities in the Chinese Mainland. It also organizes study tours to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and other Mainland cities. Furthermore, it encourages young leaders to actively contribute to youth development. In November 2023, the Hong Kong Security Bureau and SZU signed a memorandum of understanding to officially collaborate on promoting youth development and cultural exchange within the GBA. This year, the forum not only includes students from Hong Kong and SZU but also welcomes participants from Macao. This creates a rich and varied learning experience that fosters communication among youth from different backgrounds and strengthens unity among the three regions.
During the opening ceremony, Li Qingquan delivered a speech, warmly welcoming guests and students from Hong Kong and Macao. He emphasized SZU's commitment to addressing national strategic needs, particularly the development of the GBA and the Shenzhen Pilot Demonstration Zone. SZU aims to become a world-class comprehensive university and a model institution of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. It focuses on cultivating high-quality entrepreneurial and innovative talent to drive social progress. The university also encourages young students to explore employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in Hong Kong and Macao, contributing to the long-term prosperity and stability of these regions.
Tang Ping-keung expressed his gratitude for SZU's strong support and commitment to the Leaders Forum and provided an overview of its key details. He encouraged young students to view this initiative as a stepping stone for collective progress in the GBA, aiming to better integrate into the national development framework and contribute to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Lam Io Fan highlighted the strong connections among Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao, which are essential to the nation's development. He expressed hope that the Leaders Forum would leverage the strengths and unique characteristics of each region to collaboratively foster youth development.
After watching a short video introducing the new members, student representatives from the three regions—Lee Ka-wai from Hong Kong, Chan Chi-kiu from Macao, and Li Ziyu from Shenzhen—led the reading of a joint declaration. This officially launched the activities for the 2024-2025 Hong Kong Security Bureau Youth Uniformed Team Leaders Forum and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Development and Exchange Program. Over the coming year, these young participants will engage in a variety of activities, including visits to local enterprises, study tours in the GBA and other Mainland cities, physical training, team-building exercises, and collaborative research projects. These initiatives are designed to deepen their understanding of China's history and modernization while fostering a sense of responsibility, resilience, and leadership skills.
