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The preservation of historical sites has moved beyond the lyrical discussions of non-literary figures. When the depth of history collides with the returns of capital and the livelihoods of ordinary people, even the deepest nostalgia must ultimately return to the institutional choices made by public rationality.
It is a great joy to have friends coming from afar. The delegation from the Macau Heritage Ambassadors Association traveled a long way to set up an exhibition, and we, the colleagues from the Hong Kong Association for the Advancement of History, warmly welcomed them. This time, we broke with tradition and launched a cultural exchange through deliberative proposals, inviting fifty young people to step outside the framework of traditional guided tours and directly address the most pressing governance challenges of the two cities.
The young people visited 1881 in Tsim Sha Tsui early in the morning, witnessing the ultimate transformation of a historical site into a luxury shopping mall. In the afternoon, they stepped into Sham Shui Po, feeling the aging pulse of pre-war tenement buildings. Looking at Hong Kong as a mirror, the excessive tourism to the Ruins of St. Paul's in Macau during holidays also presents a similar overloaded dilemma. During the discussion, the young people took on the roles of long-time residents, souvenir merchants, and conservation scholars, engaging in a heated debate at the table.
The young people transcended black-and-white factional thinking, eschewing verbal battles and focusing on developing a policy draft that balances livelihoods and cultural preservation. By forging consensus amidst the realities of the struggle, the cultural heritage of both cities can be ensured for long-term continuity.

For the third time, we are hosting the "International Relations Cup" Secondary School International Relations and Diplomacy Debate Competition. This year, we are taking it to the next level by moving the venue from a university campus to the former French Missionary Society building in Central. This century-old red-brick building, which once served as the residence of the first Governor of Hong Kong, foreign consulates, and the Court of Final Appeal, is a historical temple steeped in Hong Kong's governance heritage, giving this intellectual exchange among young people an even deeper meaning.
The debate topics in the final and semi-final rounds precisely constitute a dual-track proposition in contemporary international relations. The semi-finals explored the institutional effectiveness of the Israeli-Palestinian "two-state solution," testing the debaters' understanding of multilateral mechanisms. The final round directly addressed the argument that "strong military force is a necessary prerequisite for maintaining peace," forcing students to confront the realistic boundaries of military power. These two debate topics reflect that in a world order lacking mutual trust, moral rhetoric alone cannot stop war, and blindly expanding military power cannot guarantee long-term stability. There are no perfect solutions to international power struggles; only by understanding the strategic intentions and bottom lines of major powers can we explore long-term peace.
After the competition, I joined Mr. Zhang Jiamin, who led the São Paulo debate team in the 1970s, to witness our alma mater's juniors win the championship. This reunion across half a century testifies to the enduring vitality of critical thinking. The vision of the predecessors and the vigor of the younger generation were handed over in the purest form through a clash of logic.

Recently, I participated in the "Legislation and Guidance: Seminar on Boundaries and Literacy of Children and Youth's Use of Social Media," co-organized by the New Youth Forum, the Hong Kong Parents' Association, and the Hong Kong Elite Association. Together with legislators Yau Tat-Ken, Tang Fei, Leung Sze-Wan, and Principal Chan Lui Ling-Yee, we examined this global battle over digital governance. This event received extensive coverage from the South China Morning Post and Phoenix TV; and in an interview with RTHK, I clearly stated that while promoting regulation, Hong Kong's freedom of information and competitiveness are core assets that cannot be compromised.

Public policy requires predicting the future amidst uncertainty, and true policy analysts must possess the diagnostic insight to see through political rhetoric and find solutions within complex social games.

At a time when the world is filled with doubts about the commitment to green transformation, China is providing unshakable institutional certainty through the most serious legal means.

Over the past two days, I accompanied the Sha Tin District Committee on a study tour of Zhuhai to observe district governance. The itinerary covered fire and rescue services in Qin'ao and Doumen District, as well as grassroots development. I deeply realized that in the face of complex social development, forward-looking planning is key to maintaining institutional certainty.
As a member of the Fire Prevention Committee, I pay particular attention to the Hengqin Fire and Rescue Brigade's comprehensive emergency response system. Faced with the complex risks posed by the high concentration of high-rise buildings and underground spaces, they are accelerating the construction of a modern rescue network adapted to the integration of Hengqin and Macau. On the other hand, Doumen District, as a typical county in the "Hundred, Thousand, Ten Thousand Project," is attempting to combine historical culture with modern tourism through demonstration sites such as the old streets and Xiazhou Village, transforming traditional rural resources into tangible results that drive regional economic development.
These experiences underscore the importance of fostering community emergency awareness and resource activation. To enhance urban resilience, Hong Kong must learn from these grassroots governance experiences, proactively building strong social connections in uncertain environments to inject more solid momentum into the city's long-term development.

Today was a highly proactive day for Hong Kong. We submitted our recommendations for the "Hong Kong Five-Year Plan and Policy Address 2026" with the Chief Executive, and exchanged views with Secretary for Justice Lam Ting-kwok, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Tse Siu-wah, and Chief Executive's Policy Unit Chief Executive Wong Yuen-shan. We emphasized that in the face of global political and economic changes, Hong Kong's governance must shift from static planning of "listing projects" to dynamic governance of "setting direction, establishing systems, and promoting implementation," leveraging Hong Kong's potential as a "super value-added force" in areas such as international education, low-Track economy, and digital currency.

The true value of youth participation in public affairs lies not in simply receiving policies, but in contributing warm imagination and practice to the future of the city as co-builders.

Over the past year, the Youth Diplomacy Academy has provided students with a platform to learn about national development and international affairs through systematic training, field exchanges, and various competitions, further broadening their horizons and enhancing their critical thinking and analytical skills. It is a pleasure to witness the students' growth and achievements, and to officially launch the Academy's latest publication, "The Path of the Great Way," at the graduation ceremony. This new generation of "youth diplomats" is demonstrating to the world the depth of thought among Hong Kong's youth through their actions.

Hong Kong's future lies in its ability to cultivate "super-value-added individuals" who understand both China's national conditions and international rules. We are very grateful to Secretary for Security Chris Tang for taking the time to attend and encourage all graduates to continue to care about national development and have a global perspective. We will continue to work with all sectors to cultivate more future pillars of Hong Kong and the nation who dare to take responsibility and practice people-to-people diplomacy.