Participants of an international forum encouraged young people to fully unleash their creativity in tackling critical global challenges amid the turbulent global environment, and to collectively advance the shared prosperity of humanity.

After a six-year hiatus, the Boao Forum for Asia Youth Summit relaunched on Tuesday in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, bringing together over 30 policymakers, experts, and scholars from around the world.

Focusing on older teens’ and young people’s role in shaping the future, this year’s forum invited speakers to discuss how to utilize cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence to create a better future. It also explored ways to provide opportunities and platforms for young people to contribute toward pressing challenges like climate change.

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There is also a dialogue session for young global leaders to exchange views on the world’s future development.

During the opening ceremony of the forum, Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, said that in the face of global challenges, building a community of a shared future for humanity has become a global endeavor, expecting young people to shoulder the responsibilities of this era.

He said that the young people of today should adopt a global perspective, striving hand in hand to build a better world as a noble ideal to relentlessly pursue.

Zheng urged the young people to focus on issues such as artificial intelligence, climate change, and human health, enhancing collaborative research and collectively exploring pathways and methods to address significant global challenges.

Furthermore, he emphasized that young people should serve as messengers of friendship and cooperation between nations and regions, fostering exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations.

Cui Jianchun, commissioner of China’s Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR, called for young people to fully take advantages of emerging technologies like AI to create new force of productivity and propel positive social reforms, highlighting that their innovative thinking and actions will bring new hopes and opportunities for the world.

Underscoring the crucial importance of collaboration and communication in the era of globalization, Cui also expressed hope that young minds can forge strong partnerships with others, which could enhance their ability to tackle global challenges.

He called for them to approach the world with equality, respect, and compassion, and to embrace different civilizations with the spirit of appreciation, inclusiveness, and mutual learning.

Cui envisioned young people making greater contributions to the world's prosperity, and said that Hong Kong young people are taking concrete actions in this regard.

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Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing expressed appreciation for the valuable qualities of young people, such as energy, creativity, adaptability, and confidence. He aspires for the forum to offer a robust policy framework and opportunities for the younger generation to thrive and grow.

He mentioned that the SAR government had introduced over 160 measures in the Youth Development Blueprint released at the end of 2022, providing comprehensive support for young people.

He said that the SAR government would continue to collaborate with various sectors of society to create an environment conducive to the healthy and prosperous growth of young people.

Contact the writer at stephyzhang@chinadailyhk.com