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2008
13 Jun

Hong Kong top students gain hands-on experience in the Mainland, "New Youth New World" Beijing-Shanghai Summer Internship Tour kicks off Ceremony

Organized by the Hong Kong United Youth Association ("HKUYA"), New World Development Company Limited ("NWD"), China Association for Science and Technology, HK Chamber Of Commerce in China - Shanghai, and co-organized by the China Young Leaders Foundation, the "New Youth New World" Beijing-Shanghai Summer Internship Tour ("the Tour") was kicked off this afternoon. The inauguration ceremony was held at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and officiating guests include Mrs Rita Fan, member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and president of the Legislative Council; Mr Wang Zhi Min, Deputy Secretary General and Director General of Youth Department, of the Liaison Office of The Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Mr Andrew Yao, Chairman of HKUYA and Honorary Consultant of "New Youth New World" Beijing-Shanghai Internship Tour; Mr Adrian Cheng, Executive Director of NWD and Honorary Chairman of "New Youth New World" Beijing-Shanghai Summer Internship Tour; and Mr Meng Xing, Executive of the China Association for Science and Technology. During the ceremony, guests and students of the Tour stood in silent tribute to the Sichuan earthquake victims. The students also made a vow to learn more of the motherland through the Tour and equip themselves with knowledge and professional expertise, so as to give back to society and assist the earthquake victims in Sichuan. 

Last year, HKUYA organized the first internship tour to Shanghai and was well-received by all walks of society. This year, HKUYA organized the second tour together with NWD, China Association for Science and Technology and HK Chamber Of Commerce in China - Shanghai. Application and selection took six months, after which 170 top students from The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and The Baptist University were selected from nearly one thousand applicants. On 15 June, they will go for a six-week internship in Beijing and Shanghai, during which they will gain hands-on experience in state-owned enterprises and Hong Kong-owned companies. Participating organizations include New World Department Store, the Bank of China, HSBC, Hang Seng Bank, Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, Shui On Land Limited, China Central Television, Peoples Daily Overseas Edition, China Merchants Securities, etc. Some of the students will join Red Cross Society of China for voluntary work. Apart from the internship, the students will also meet Mainland officials and outstanding young entrepreneurs, visit Chinese-foreign joint venture companies, and meet up mainland university students. 

Says Mr Adrian Cheng, Executive Director of NWD and honorary chairman of "New Youth New World" Beijing-Shanghai Summer Internship Tour, "I truly believe that apart from academic studies, an all-rounded development is also important for young people. New World Group is very supportive of this meaningful tour and has provided 12 internship positions at our New World Department Store headquarters in Shanghai. We hope that the internship will allow students to experience the daily lives and culture of our country, expand their horizons and establish a solid foundation of their future." 

Mr Andrew Yao, Chairman of HKUYA expresses his deep gratitude to all those who support the Tour. He says, "HKUYA wishes to thank all individuals, organizations, tertiary institutes and students for supporting and assisting in the Tour. With their support, 170 top students can realize their dream of gaining experience in the Mainland and learning more about our rapidly developing motherland, thereby widening their horizons. I believe that this Tour will facilitate interflow between young people in the Mainland and Hong Kong, and will be pivotal in the nurturing of future talents." 


Details of the Tour 
In 2007, HKUYA, The University of Hong Kong Center of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) and HK Chamber Of Commerce in China - Shanghai jointly organized the first Shanghai Internship Tour which received strong support from various organizations, including Office of The Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Shanghai Overseas Friendship Association, Shanghai Youth Federation, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai. After multiple rounds of selection, 31 Hong Kong university students were sent to Shanghai, the engine of China's economy growth, for a five-week internship tour. The tour gained unprecedented success and won acclaim from Shanghai and Hong Kong. 

For this reason, this year, we have teamed up with NWD, China Association for Science and Technology and HK Chamber Of Commerce in China - Shanghai to organize the second "New Youth New World" Beijing-Shanghai Internship Tour. This year also marks the Beijing Olympics 2008, which is the first time for China to host this international sports event. For this special occasion and built on last year's success, HKUYA expands the Tour, not only by including more top students, this year 170, from different universities but also expanding the internship area to include Beijing, host of the Olympic Games. 

Organizer 
Hong Kong United Youth Association 
New World Development Company Limited 
China Association for Science and Technology 
HK Chamber Of Commerce in China - Shanghai 
HK Chamber Of Commerce in China