Economic Development

The United Nations established "World Youth Skills Day" every July to reflect on the employment predicament faced by the younger generation amid the rapid restructuring of the global labor landscape. This existential question is reflected in a speech given by Zhang Xiaolong, former CEO of Fenbi Education, a leading civil service exam preparation company in mainland China. He accused young people of "deserving it" for not being able to find jobs, and the resulting public outcry led to his resignation this month. Mainstream societal voices often simplify the issue of NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) or high youth unemployment rates as generational responsibility, readily blaming the younger generation for not working hard enough or choosing to "lie down." However, a deeper look at the current job market reveals that the core problem is not a negative mindset, but rather the profound transformation of the workplace structure brought about by the widespread adoption of AI.

While the international community laudes Hong Kong's highly efficient and award-winning healthcare system, countless young nurses are working themselves to the bone, single-handedly managing an extremely strained nurse-to-patient ratio. In the 2025 CEOWORLD Global Healthcare Index, Hong Kong ranks 23rd, boasting outstanding life expectancy and infant survival rates. However, behind this accolade lies the unbearable exhaustion of frontline staff. With an aging population and a surge in chronic diseases, the pressure on the public healthcare system will only intensify, inevitably exacerbating the challenges faced by healthcare workers.

As April arrives, the festive atmosphere gradually intensifies. The streets will be filled with more overseas fans sporting their own face paint, as well as local young people eager to experience the excitement. With the Hong Kong Football Club International 10-a-side Rugby Tournament, the Hong Kong International 7-a-side Rugby Tournament, and the UCI World Cup Track Cycling Championships all taking place, Hong Kong is entering its peak season for sporting events, promising a series of exciting experiences for its citizens.

Walking the streets these days, it's easy to notice a change in the pace of visitors to Hong Kong. The image of people dragging suitcases through luxury stores has diminished. Instead, they're following social media guides, wandering through narrow alleyways on "Citywalks," or exploring nature in the countryside. Professor Yin Zhenying of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at the Chinese University of Hong Kong confirms this: "Consumers now value mental health and the natural environment more." According to the Asia Tourism Exchange Centre's forecast for the tourism market, the proportion of young travelers is constantly rising. They are no longer satisfied with traditional material consumption, but are more willing to spend money to obtain richer emotional value and better quality family time.

Narrowing the digital divide is never an endeavor that can be accomplished by a single department, a single grant, or a few pieces of hardware. It requires long-term investment, institutional design, and cross-sectoral collaboration. International Day for Women and Girls to Participate in Science and Technology reminds us that the future of technology should not belong to only a few; and the education sector reminds us that if institutional disparities between schools and teachers are not addressed early, the so-called "digital transformation" will ultimately only exacerbate inequality.