Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak today visited Qianhai to learn about the entrepreneurial experiences of Hong Kong youth there and to exchange views on youth development work.

On arriving in Qianhai, Miss Mak visited the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub (Ehub) to learn about its facilities and its work in supporting youth entrepreneurship.

She also toured the HKU Techno-Entrepreneurship Academy, the Hong Kong Youth Short-Term Apartments and the Hong Kong Cultural Experience Space, all of which form part of the Ehub, and engaged in discussions with Hong Kong youth to learn more about their entrepreneurial experiences and life in Qianhai.

The Ehub is a member of the Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurial Bases in the Greater Bay Area, which was jointly established by the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, Guangdong’s Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office and its Human Resources & Social Security Department.

Miss Mak later met CPC Shenzhen Standing Committee Member and Director General of the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality Wang Shourui to discuss Shenzhen-Hong Kong co-operation on Hong Kong’s youth development.

Miss Mak thanked the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Qianhai authority for their staunch support for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's youth development work, especially in encouraging young people to integrate into China’s overall national development and seize the enormous opportunities brought about by the development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Miss Mak stressed that the Hong Kong SAR Government attaches great importance to youth development.

Since its establishment in December 2023, the alliance has brought together nearly 60 member organisations in Hong Kong and the GBA, including the EHub. It provides a one-stop information, publicity and exchange platform offering comprehensive support to Hong Kong’s young entrepreneurs. Alliance members have organised nearly 220 events to date.

In the afternoon, the youth chief visited the Qianhai Exhibition Hall to learn about developments in Qianhai.

She also visited the SmartMore Corporation, which was founded by a Hong Kong entrepreneur, to learn about its experiences in establishing a unicorn company and about development opportunities in the GBA more broadly.

Miss Mak said that the Hong Kong SAR Government will sustain its efforts in promoting youth development and will continue to implement and enhance its Youth Development Blueprint.

She added that she hopes the two places will further strengthen co-operation and exchanges that allow young people to explore entrepreneurial opportunities in the Mainland’s enormous market.

The youth chief concluded her visit and returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.