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Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen has refuted assertions that labeling Hong Kong youth as "lying flat" and believes that the youngsters would strive for the goal if given opportunities.
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Her response follows a newspaper article by Tik Chi-yuen of the Third Side, who noted that factors such as the diminishing influence of university student unions, constraints on civil society, and limited career development opportunities have led an increasing number of young individuals to become disheartened and uncertain about their future, leading some to forgo their aspirations, give up, or consider emigration.
Speaking on a radio program on Sunday (Oct 26), Mak contested Tik's claims and stated that the underlying implication of such assertions is an accusation against the government for inadequacies in youth development.
She characterized it as unjust to direct criticism at young people if the intention is to disparage the government.
The youth affairs chief expressed her belief that young people in Hong Kong would strive harder if given more opportunities, citing the various exchange programs organized by the Bureau, which have seen a doubling in applicant numbers.
Meanwhile, she highlighted that the government values the voice of the youth, while the District Youth Community Building Committees and District Youth Development and Civic Education Committees have been established in each district.
The two committees also accept candidates through self-nomination, receiving thousands of applications annually from individuals eager to contribute to the community.
Mak further stressed that Hong Kong youth are equipped with international perspectives and multilingual advantages.
The government will launch the Young Talent Training Program, which will provide more opportunities for young people to participate in internships at international organizations and attend international conferences.
She also mentioned that the Youth Development Summit, hosted last month, attracted over 3,000 young participants, including 600 youths from the United States and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries such as Malaysia.
The authorities arranged for local young volunteers to host the event, aiming to foster a sense of "ownership" among Hong Kong's youth.
Additionally, the government has funded non-governmental organizations to convert hotels into youth hostels, with over 3,000 places now available in the city. She encouraged young people to participate in volunteer services during their stay.
In response to an inquiry from Sing Tao Daily, the sister publication of The Standard, Mak emphasized that the youth of Hong Kong exhibit a high level of motivation and have demonstrated enthusiastic participation in various government youth initiatives.
She referenced the "Youth Link" program as a notable example, highlighting that registration numbers exceed expectations whenever government secretaries and bureau directors engage with the youth.
She emphasized the government's openness to feedback and indicated that community members interested in supporting young individuals may refer them to a range of government programs, including life planning services and youth hostel accommodations.
She mentioned the recent Youth Development Summit held in the city, where ministers from various regions expressed admiration for Hong Kong's youth and conveyed their interest in organizing similar forums in Hong Kong.
Mak urged against portraying the youth of Hong Kong as lacking capabilities, as such narratives could adversely affect their public perception.
