China to enhance teenage exchanges in Greater Bay Area

China is to enhance exchanges and communication among teenagers in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, according to the development plan issued on Feb 18.

The Greater Bay Area is composed of nine cities in the Pearl River Delta region – Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan, Zhuhai, Zhaoqing, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Huizhou in Guangdong province – as well as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region.

Teenagers from the Greater Bay Area visit the global headquarters of China's internet giant Tencent in Nanshan district, Shenzhen, in South China's Guangdong province. The company launched its new youth exchange program on Feb 25, based on its former Tencent Youth Camp as a response to the development plan for the Greater Bay Area. [Photo/tech.qq.com]

The plan supports the implementation of major programs, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao youth culture tour and Hong Kong's funding scheme for youth exchanges to the Chinese mainland, to promote exchanges and communication among teenagers in the Greater Bay Area.

The plan will offer more opportunities for entrepreneurship, employment, internships and volunteer work for young people in the Greater Bay Area, and support Hong Kong and Macao youths in participating in national construction. Measures will also be taken to promote mutual understanding among young people.

The Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Fund, which was launched in December 2018, is aimed at helping youths to take up an occupation or start a business in the region. [Photo/IC]

The patriotic education of teenagers on the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong and Macao will be strengthened, as well as publicity about the Constitution, basic laws, and national history and culture.

The plan encourages cooperation in teenage travel for study programs, and the joint establishment of travel for study demonstration bases.

The plan also supports the holding of youth summits and forums in the Greater Bay Area.