HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Coalition is planning to offer job training and internships to young people regardless of their political stance, said a convener of a newly-founded group. 

Speaking at a local television show on Sunday, Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the nation's top political advisory body, said Hong Kong was facing an unprecedented unemployment crisis that would put many fresh graduates out of work. 

ALSO READ: Coalition to restore economy, support the city’s youngsters 

The coalition also sees the need to promote core values among young people, including the spirit of the rule of law, to help them resist violence, he said. 

Leung Chun-ying said Hong Kong can’t survive on its own without mainland’s support 

A former chief executive of the SAR, Leung is one of the conveners of the newly founded non-government organization, which aims to unite Hong Kong for the revival of the local economy battered by social unrest and savaged by the coronavirus pandemic. Among its members are more than 1,500 civic and business leaders. 

Refuting the suggestion that the Hong Kong economy can be self-sufficient, Leung said the city can’t survive on its own without mainland’s support.   

He dismissed the notion of the so-called “yellow economic circle” promoted by anti-government factions who harbor a deep resentment against mainland. 

Those shops fall within the so-called circle are mostly eateries whose water and food are from the mainland, he added.  

Some in the community had advocated that it is OK for young people not to observe the law as long as they believed it is not a fair law, Leung said.  

READ MORE: Hong Kong Coalition hands out 10 million face masks 

They instigated youngsters to commit illegal acts such as vandalism of shops and restaurants, said Leung. These lawless actions would scare off the investors, hurt Hong Kong's economy, and ultimately harm the young people’s own prospects, he added. 

Leung stressed that no one should resort to violence to achieve their demands, and no government should yield to violence. Different sectors of the society should try to resolve disputes in a law-abiding manner and with mutual understanding.  

Violent protests have led to the arrests of more than 8,000 people, including many young students, although the children of those people who incited violence have stayed away at a safe distance, he added.