Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak speaks at the kick-off ceremony of the Youth Link, Sept 30, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Saturday launched a new youth network to connect young people and provide them with extensive opportunities to develop their talent and serve the community.

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak officiated at the kick-off ceremony of the Youth Link initiated by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau.

The newly-formed network aims to engage young people who are energetic, diversified, competitive and dedicated to community building, so that a young talent pool for Hong Kong could be created in the long run, the government said in a statement.

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Targeting people aged between 12 and 39, the network has, at its startup stage, recruited nearly 5,000 youths who have previously joined youth development programs organized or funded by the bureau and district offices. 

In the start-up stage, the Youth Link has recruited nearly 5 000 youths

The recruitment will gradually expand to youth development programs run by other government departments, the statement adds.

Addressing the launching ceremony, Mak said the bureau will offer Youth Link members training and activities that cater for their development needs as well as opportunities to participate in public affairs including public policy exchange sessions, study tours to the Mainland and overseas, and large-scale government activities.

Such initiatives could support young people in developing diverse talent and contributing to society, and at the same time strengthen their communication, interaction and mutual trust with the SAR government, she added.

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak (fourth right); Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Shirley Lam (fourth left); Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Clarence Leung (third right); Vice-Chairman of the Youth Development Commission, Kenneth Leung (third left), and youth representatives pose for a photo at the kick-off ceremony of the Youth Link, Sept 30, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak (back row, seventh left); Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Shirley Lam (back row, eighth left); Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Clarence Leung (front row, fifth left); and Vice-Chairman of the Youth Development Commission, Kenneth Leung (front row, fourth left), join youth representatives at the Youth Programmes Highlights cum Entrepreneur Bazaar, Sept 30, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

Hong Kong's Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak (second left) visits the Youth Programmes Highlights and Entrepreneur Bazaar in the city and chats with stall operators, Sept 30, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Shirley Lam; Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Clarence Leung; and Vice-Chairman of the Youth Development Commission, Kenneth Leung. Representatives of district youth networks also attended the event were also among the officiating guests.

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The bureau has also organized a Youth Programmes Highlights cum Entrepreneur Bazaar at the same venue. 

In addition to introducing youth development programs, the bazaar also showcased products by local youth entrepreneurial teams, such as creative handicrafts and environmentally friendly and natural products.