Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung chaired the first meeting of the Youth Development Commission today.

The group agreed its future work should focus on three broad directions. They are to study how to help young people choose suitable study pathways; to explore ways to facilitate career development and promote their upward mobility; and, to examine how to strengthen communication channels with young people and encourage them to participate in public affairs more actively.

Members were briefed on the findings and recommendations of the Youth Development Strategy for Hong Kong: Public Engagement Report published by the former Commission on Youth.

Mr Cheung said: "Non-official members of the commission are highly representative, including community leaders as well as experts and stakeholders involved in youth development. More than half of them are young members aged 35 or below."

The meeting also took note of the work to be undertaken by the three task forces set up under the commission. They will convene their first meetings soon.