More carrot and less stick for
young future patriots?

The Hong Kong Government launches a Youth Blueprint to inculcate love for the country and offer vocational and career opportunities in HK and the Greater Bay

AS Hong Kong grapples with settling and steering its youth, it is encouraging to see Chief Executive John Lee moving with speed to tackle fundamental issues. The government's intent is articulated in its December 2022 Youth Development Blueprint and the creation of a new position of Youth Commissioner. The contours of engagement and answerability are immediately discernible.

The document comes with powerful backing. At its release, quotes by President Xi Jinping rained like confetti ensuring this was no flash in the pan: “Hong Kong will prosper only when its young people thrive; Hong Kong will develop only when its young people achieve well-rounded development; and Hong Kong will have a bright future only when its young people have good career prospects.”

Keeping dialogue open

Central to the blueprint's four areas of engagement (exploration, hope, empowerment and contribution) is the nurturing of "a new generation of young people with affection for our country and Hong Kong."

Vijay Verghese

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There is always the danger of this exercise slipping from useful multi-channel dialogue into shrill top-down dogma. As history shows, patriotism is imbibed over time with growing awareness, participation and a sense of belonging

The recurring leitmotif is patriotic education which, revolutionary terminology aside, is unexceptional. All countries take pride in their achievements. The frequent underlining, however, reveals unease in dealing with the city's once-barricaded youth. There is always the danger of this exercise slipping from useful multi-channel dialogue into shrill top-down dogma. As history shows, patriotism is imbibed over time with growing awareness, participation and a sense of belonging.

Chinese history must be part of the curriculum — as fact rather than emotive prodding — and education must focus on both Mandarin and English as twin tools for international advancement without in any way diluting a rich Cantonese heritage.

Hong Kong has meandered listlessly after the turbulence of the past few years, some of its younger citizens still chaffing at the political reorientation. As with teens anywhere, coming of age meant challenging authority, seeking answers and stretching boundaries. The events of 2019-2022 then were a collision of ineluctable history (the absorption of the territory by China) and a naïve if sincere teen passion for the 'homeland' (sharply defined as just Hong Kong). Presciently, in 1976, a book by Australian journalist Richard Hughes had concluded, on this barren rock it was always "Borrowed place, borrowed time".

It falls now to the government of the HKSAR to galvanise the youth. There are  considerable tools at its disposal. The blueprint outlines career options (some in the Greater Bay area), adventure training, internships, vocational education and student exchanges (internationally and on the Mainland). It offers more affordable housing and an expanded youth hostel scheme. And it hopes to encourage community service and the spirit of volunteering while also fostering an understanding of national identity, the Basic Law, and the Chinese Constitution.

Banking on youth for can-do spirit

A youthful city evokes visions of energy, optimism, and vitality. Xi is right. Yet, Hong Kong like China, is ageing as more seniors move out of the workforce, slowing the city's pace and straining support systems. Youth outreach and motivation is not just a social nicety, it is essential to putting the wind back in Hong Kong's sails. Steady migration from China will eventually bring youthful job-seekers across to help rebuild that can-do attitude perhaps with a little lift from the city's famous 'Lion Rock spirit'.

Outlining plans, Alice Mak Mei-kuen, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, said the idea is to create a "positive mindset" with a youth network and app for people to plug into opportunities. Importantly, there appears to be some give for the disgruntled rump: “I believe that once they [the youngsters] understand it, of course, they can continue their criticism, but at least they will have the message.” It appears the government is willing to listen and engage, something the previous administration failed to do.

Painting a positive future and providing tools for "upward mobility" is the right way to proceed rather than banging heads. Law and order eruptions are often symptoms of a deeper disconnect. On the leadership side, teachers have a freshly defined code to act as role models, working with probity, integrity, and adherence to the rule of law.

Integrating ethnic minorities

This is an opportune time for minorities, be they Indian, Pakistani, Filipino or Indonesian, to be integrated into the broader population. Their histories are closely intertwined with the city. As traders, merchants, labourers, domestic helpers, investors, and members of the constabulary, they have all played a part in the making of Hong Kong. Cultural diversity enriches and strengthens a World City which, by definition, cannot be monocultural.

Yet, whereas Singapore has done much to weld its Chinese, Malay and Indian populations with cheery campaigns and artfully mixing communities in public housing, Hong Kong has little to show in this regard. Hongkongers are still mystified by turbaned Sikhs, unaware of Diwali — the Hindu festival of lights — and quite oblivious to the culinary delights of the Muslim Eid celebrations. These minorities are the ones most threatened by language policy. They require access to better education and vocational training in order to make a bigger contribution.

They are a bridge to South and Southeast Asia. India was Hong Kong's eighth largest trading partner in 2022. Singapore ranked fourth, Malaysia ninth, and Thailand tenth (with ASEAN accounting for 13.2% of all trade).

The government cannot afford to lose talent. The brain drain must be reversed and Hong Kong's youth encouraged to see themselves as impactful stakeholders.

Vijay Verghese started out as a reporter for the Times of India, a national daily, in 1979. He moved to Bangkok and thence to Hong Kong in 1984 as editor and publisher of a range of news, business, travel and lifestyle publications including Business Traveller, HOLIDAY Asia, and Asian Business. He launched Dancing Wolf Media in 2002 and runs the online magazines SmartTravelAsia.com and AsianConversations.com when not dabbling in avatars, music and virtual guff.

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