The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, attended a barracks visit for youths from Hong Kong and Macao in Zhanjiang today (August 3).
     　
     The activity is led by the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, jointly organised by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, and hosted by the Zhanjiang Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Bureau. Through national defence education, the activity aims to guide youths from Hong Kong and Macao to deepen their understanding of national affairs, enhance their awareness of national defence, and foster a strong sense of patriotism.

     Speaking at the activity, Miss Mak said that the country has always placed high hopes on the youths of Hong Kong and Macao, anticipating them to accurately grasp global development trends and demonstrate their affection for the country through concrete actions. Today's event provided a valuable experience for young people from Hong Kong and Macao to visit the Navy Units and board the modern warship, serving as a profound lesson in national defense education.

     Miss Mak emphasised that the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to inspiring Hong Kong's youths to foster and carry forward the spirit of patriotism, and actively guides them to better integrate into and serve the overall national development. She said that the HKSAR Government is drawing up Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan. Regarding youth development, in line with the 15th Five-Year Plan and building on the basis of the Youth Development Blueprint, the HKSAR Government will fully utilise Hong Kong's distinctive advantages of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world, and strive to nurture a new generation of young people with an affection for the country and Hong Kong and equipped with global perspectives, an aspiring mindset and positive thinking. Miss Mak encouraged the youths to share their observations and reflections from the barracks back in Hong Kong and Macao, and to contribute to the development of the country, Hong Kong and Macao.

     About 200 young people from Hong Kong and Macao participated in the event. They boarded and toured the warship, gaining a direct appreciation of the formidable strength of the national navy.

Ends/Monday, August 3, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:03

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