EdUHK Hosts Third Seminar of NPC and NCCPPCC Talk Series 2025-26: How Hong Kong’s Youth can Participate in National Development
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) recently hosted the third seminar of the “National People’s Congress (NPC) and National Committee for the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (NCCPPCC) Talk Series” for the 2025-26 academic year at its North Point Study Centre. The seminar, themed “How Hong Kong’s Youth Can Participate in National Development”, featured Mr Andy Ho Wing-cheong, Member of the 14th NCCPPCC and Adviser to the Mainland Affairs Office of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, and Ms Iris Wong Ping-fan, Hong Kong Deputy to the 14th NPC and Chief Officer of the Hong Kong Coalition. The event attracted over 100 participants, including EdUHK Honorary School Partnership Advisors, staff, students, alumni, as well as teachers and students from local secondary schools.
In his lecture, Mr Ho outlined Hong Kong SAR’s positioning within the broader framework of national development, noting that the Central Government attaches great importance to the role of Hong Kong’s youth in nation-building. He highlighted young people’s strengths, including global perspective, cross-cultural communication skills, and diverse thinking shaped by both Chinese and Western cultures. However, he cautioned that some young people possess a superficial understanding of national development, with limited exploration of deeper social issues, and that their grasp of the nation’s overall landscape still required strengthening.
To actively bridge these gaps, Mr Ho proposed four directions to guide young people’s active participation in national development. He encouraged them to engage in exchange programmes, study tours and thematic research in the Chinese Mainland; to pursue further studies in universities there; to explore employment or entrepreneurial opportunities through relevant schemes; and to take part in diverse voluntary services – including initiatives such as the United Nations Volunteers - Hong Kong Universities Volunteer Internship Programme – as a means to broaden their horizons and enhance their capabilities.
Ms Wong provided a detailed overview of the functions and operations of the “Two Sessions” – the NPC and CPPCC. She noted that Hong Kong members in the 14th term accounted for approximately nine percent of the total CPPCC National Committee membership, forming an important component. Encouraging young people to play an active role in national development, she outlined three key steps: to care and understand, to form clear belief, and to take action. She also highlighted multiple channels for participation, particularly volunteer service platforms across education, non-governmental organisations, community groups, legislative offices, Care Teams, and associations representing youth, women, overseas Chinese and chambers of commerce. “When the youth are strong, Hong Kong is strong; when Hong Kong is strong, the nation is even stronger,” she emphasised.
During the dialogue session, moderated by Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of EdUHK and Member of the 14th NCCPPCC, students asked questions, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere. Ms Wong encouraged young people to ask questions when studying or interning in the Chinese Mainland, gaining knowledge and skills through first-hand experience. Mr Ho advised them to familiarise themselves in advance with living conditions and development trends in the Chinese Mainland to ease adaptation. Professor Lee suggested participating in activities such as Mini Model United Nations to broaden international outlook, while also becoming familiar with commonly used mobile applications in the Chinese Mainland to prepare for future opportunities.
The NPC and NCCPPCC Talk Series (2025-26), organised by EdUHK’s School Partnership and Field Experience Office, invited NPC and NCCPPCC members across different professional fields to share insights. Among the guests attending the lecture were Director of School Partnership and Field Experience Dr Kevin Kam Wai-keung, Associate Director of School Partnership and Field Experience Ms Mandy Au Yuen-yee, and Professional Consultant of School Partnership and Field Experience Office, Mr Langton Cheung Yung-pong. Teachers and students from FDBWA Szeto Ho Secondary School, Hon Wah College, and Buddhist Mau Fung Memorial College were also invited to participate.
-Ends-
