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I was invited to serve as a judge and award presenter for the finals of the 4th "Three Regions Children's Voice Cup" Speech Contest and the 5th "Contending Cup" Debate Challenge. Two stages, two formats, yet I saw the same heartening power—a new generation of youth is understanding the world with a broader vision and more independent thinking.

In the debate, the students demonstrated critical thinking skills that went beyond the classroom framework, ranging from the public responsibility of food bloggers and food safety to a comparison of the development models of Hong Kong and Singapore. In the speech contest, the children connected their personal observations with social concerns by sharing history, culture, science and stories from their hometowns, showing me their curiosity and spirit of exploration about the world.

This made me reconsider: do we place too much emphasis on "winning first place"? Compared to rankings and awards, the greatest value of competition lies in growth and reflection. Whether it's a debate or a speech, its essence is not just about persuading others, but about learning to think independently, make judgments, and find better solutions to complex social issues through exchange and interaction.

I especially encourage students to refuse to become "repeaters" and to dare to express their own opinions; at the same time, to build connections with society through real-life observations. Because the ultimate goal of education is never to cultivate people who are good at memorizing, but to cultivate people who can think, express themselves, care about society, and create value.

Watching these young people speak confidently on stage, I feel full of confidence in Hong Kong's future social development and intergenerational continuity. However, in this age of artificial intelligence and information overload, are we raising a group of competitive children, or a group of future citizens who know how to think and change the world?

I attended the "2026 Sichuan-Hong Kong Education Cooperation New Ecosystem Exchange Conference" at Chengdu Jinjiang College. This grand event brought together nearly 50 education leaders and experts from Sichuan and Hong Kong to discuss how to build an efficient talent training platform in the context of deep integration between the two places.

In my keynote speech, titled "Why Students Should Do Research," I shared my insights into the core requirements of modern talent. I proposed that, in the face of global academic and professional competition, Hong Kong universities and world-renowned universities no longer simply consider students' written test scores; students' "research literacy"—that is, the ability to identify problems, reason logically, and solve complex problems—is the key to breaking through.

During the event, we also had the privilege of exchanging ideas with experts such as Zou Guangyan, former Vice Governor of Sichuan Province and founding principal of the school, Duan Zengyong, Director of the Sichuan Academy of Educational Sciences, and Yang Yongjun, Director of the Sichuan Provincial Association of Secondary School Principals. We unanimously agreed that educational cooperation between Sichuan and Hong Kong should transcend traditional inter-school exchanges and move towards in-depth resource sharing and practical pathway alignment. By exposing students to global issues at an early age, we are building a competitive advantage for young people in both regions to pave their way to the future.

I traveled to four districts in Hong Kong—Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin, Sha Tin, and Tai Po—to teach and exchange ideas with students from the "Young Diplomats Academy." During this time, I shared an introduction to international relations and the development of China's foreign policy with dozens of young people from diverse backgrounds. Through in-depth interaction, we explored how young people can develop a fundamental perspective on understanding the world and recognizing China's role amidst global changes. Providing young people with a structured understanding of global affairs remains a crucial part of youth development. I hope that through continued teaching and exchange, we can cultivate a new generation with an international perspective and strategic thinking.

Two hundred students participated in the "Budget ONLINE@M21" event, engaging in in-depth discussions with Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po on the "Budget for 2026-27." The Secretary introduced the latest budget to the youth and discussed various topics including the economy, tourism, technology, people's livelihood, and the development of the northern region. The students responded enthusiastically, raising numerous specific questions and voting on policy directions of interest on the spot, engaging in genuine and candid dialogue with the Secretary. The event allowed young people to directly express their views and enabled policymakers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of youth's observations and expectations regarding public finance and social development. We thank all the participating students for demonstrating their concern for public policy through their actions and for injecting more youthful perspectives into discussions about Hong Kong's future.

Proud to launch our new POD Research Institute report, From Public Good to Strategic Industry: A Roadmap for Hong Kong's Transnational Education Sector. I also shared the key findings on RTHK’s “Hong Kong 2000“. Our study shows that Hong Kong has long underestimated education as a high‑value services export, largely due to outdated metrics and a lack of coordinated strategy. The economic impact of international students, offshore campuses, overseas programmes, and talent mobility remains under‑recognised. As global competition intensifies, Hong Kong must position education as a strategic industry central to economic diversification and international competitiveness.

Welcoming more than 30 teachers and students from the Yunnan Province was a truly heartwarming and unforgettable journey. For all of them, this was their first time in Hong Kong—and their first visit to a university campus. As we talked about “One Country, Two Systems,” I saw curiosity turn into understanding and smiles grow through dialogue—a quiet reminder of how meaningful real encounters can be. Grateful to the Foreign Ministry's HK Office for organizing this trip, with the support of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, as well as the attention from RTHK, which covered this journey in a dedicated episode, helping more people see the value of youth exchange and mutual learning.

I visited Taiwan as part of the International Association of Chinese Traders delegation, coinciding with the resumption of the KMT-CPC Think Tank Forum this week after a nine-year hiatus. During the trip, I met with KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wen, Vice Chairperson Chang Jung-kung, Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu, and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, gaining insights from different perspectives into current Taiwanese societal concerns and expectations for cross-strait interaction. I hope that amidst the complex regional situation, both sides can reopen communication channels, promote mutual trust, and take a more proactive approach to thawing relations. The more misunderstandings and tensions exist, the more necessary it is to have platforms for dialogue and individuals willing to take the first step. This exchange has shown me that there are still many shared forces on both sides of the Taiwan Strait who desire peace and stability, and I look forward to promoting more positive interactions in a rational and pragmatic manner in the future.

In the years since the pandemic, the Shanghai-Hong Kong Institute has held academic conferences, but they have either been online or hybrid events. This 20th conference, however, is different; it will be held face-to-face for two consecutive days at CUHK.

The volunteers I trained for the Shanghai World Expo have returned to Hong Kong with clear growth in professional competence, international exposure, and public‑service understanding. They shared valuable insights on the volunteer systems of Shanghai and Hong Kong, exhibition‑driven economies, and the role of commercial diplomacy. It was also inspiring to see CUHK students contributing with strong professionalism, and I look forward to more young people engaging in global platforms and bringing their learnings back to Hong Kong.