Chief Executive Carrie Lam today encouraged young people in Hong Kong to seize the opportunities brought about by the nation's development.

Noting that today is Youth Day, Mrs Lam shared her aspirations for the youth at a media session ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning.

"My aspiration for young people in Hong Kong is first, they should have a very strong sense of national identity. Second, they should love this city called Hong Kong. Third, of course I would love them to have a global perspective. And finally is to have a sense of citizenship and responsibility.

"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been doing things along those four directions to raise awareness amongst young people of the country's development, including the 14th Five-Year Plan, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and other initiatives.

"Under 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong enjoys unique advantages and the central government has given us full support in the 14th Five-Year Plan. And we have abundant opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

"It is time for them to seize these opportunities and to plan for their own future."

The Hong Kong SAR Government earlier launched the Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme, under which enterprises are subsidised to employ Hong Kong university graduates to work in the Mainland cities of the bay area.

Mrs Lam emphasised that the scheme has received an enthusiastic response and all of its 2,000 places have been filled.