CE encourages young people to propel innovation and technology expansion

Peking University, one of the Chinese mainland’s most prestigious institutions, intends to set up a research institute in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Wednesday.

Lee made the announcement in a social media post after his meeting with Peking University Party Secretary He Guangcai in Beijing, as part of the chief executive’s three-day duty visit that began on Monday. On Tuesday, Lee briefed President Xi Jinping on Hong Kong’s latest economic, social and political developments. He returned to Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon.

Lee said He expressed support for Hong Kong’s development road map for the university town within the Northern Metropolis, and expressed Peking University’s intention to establish a presence there — an initiative that Lee described as “very encouraging”. The meeting also discussed strategies to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis, along with viable models for the planned university town.

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According to the government’s blueprint, the university town will span three sites across the Northern Metropolis: about 46 hectares in the Ngau Tam Mei New Development Area, about 40 hectares in New Territories North New Town, and about 5 hectares in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area. Earlier this year, it was reported that Hong Kong’s third medical school, to be operated by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, will build its campus and a teaching hospital in Ngau Tam Mei.

The government plans to publish the Northern Metropolis University Town Development Conceptual Framework in the first half of 2026.

Youth engagement

Lee also had a breakfast meeting with four Hong Kong young people based in Beijing at a restaurant inside a century-old heritage building near Peking University’s iconic Weiming Lake.

Lee encouraged them — and all Hong Kong students and professionals on the mainland — to ride the tailwind of national and local policy support in innovation and technology (I&T) development, and to apply their knowledge boldly to propel cross-border I&T growth.

The four young participants all have professional backgrounds in the I&T field — three are business executives in fields such as technology education, medical devices, and Web3; one is the first Hong Kong student studying aerospace engineering at Peking University.

Lee said that with the guidance and support of national policies, coupled with Hong Kong’s goal of becoming an international innovation hub — evidenced by flagship innovation projects like the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone — the city is poised to achieve great success in the I&T field through collaboration with the mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

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Lee and the young professionals also discussed popular science education, social media engagement, and the mobilization of young people.

“I wish them to keep up the good work, continue to showcase their talents, shine brightly, and make more contributions to Hong Kong and the country,” Lee said.

In an article on its official account about Lee’s trip, Peking University said it is committed to serving as a fertile ground for youth development and technological innovation, actively supporting young people from both the mainland and Hong Kong.

“By encouraging them to work together in advancing science and technology and integrating into the nation’s broader development, the university aims to enable the power of young people to shine amid the tides of our times,” the institution said.

Contact the writer at wanqing@chinadailyhk.com