Students at the Chinese Foundation Secondary School in Hong Kong have been encouraged to brace for the challenges of an aging society, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and being a global citizen. That call was delivered in a speech at the school by a senior government official over the weekend.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chris Sun Yuk-han gave the students advice on the school’s speech day, where he was this year’s guest of honor.

This year’s speech day was attended by students, parents, speakers, and guests.

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After the singing of the national anthem of China, the day kicked off with Professor Rosie Young Tse Tse, chairperson of the school’s management committee (SMC) delivering the opening remarks.

She said CFSS, founded in 2000, is one of the pioneer schools of the Direct Subsidy Scheme in Hong Kong.

In the past 24 years, the school has successfully provided students with an all-round education, focusing on academics, extracurricular activities, and personal development, Young added.

“These help to identify the interests and potentials of students in different aspects,” she said.

“The six years of secondary school life has prepared you with a strong foundation in learning and the coming four years of tertiary education will provide you with essential skills and attitude to enter the society,” Young continued.

“I would like you to take this moment to rethink the role you would like to play in the future. You will devote yourself to the labor force soon and it is time to start setting up your direction.”

Young added that Sun, the guest of honor, was not only a person of distinction with an unblemished professional and public service record but is also a role model for our younger generation.

In his speech, Sun talked about the trends happening in the next five years in Hong Kong, including the aging society, the advancing role of AI in job markets, and the need for those who have a global perspective.

People often regard those who see the world from a Western perspective as globalists, Sun says, but true globalists take into account the East too. The Global South is also becoming more important, he says. 

CFSS principal Ho Tik Shun delivered the school’s annual report for 2023-2024, showing their sixth-grade students achieved outstanding results in the 2024 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examinations.

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“We take great pride in their achievements, which demonstrate their capabilities and show they met their personal goals,” he said.

He also gave special thanks to people including the school supervisor Marina Wong, the founding school supervisor Annie Wu Suk-ching, SMC chair Young, parent manager Pluto Shiu, and other SMC members.

The students and guests also enjoyed orchestra performances and sang the school song to conclude the event.  

Contact the writer at vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com