Hong Kong • 23 September 2022 – The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has been proactively driving Hong Kong’s construction industry to integrate into the national development. A “Course on National Affairs for Construction Young Persons” is launched to nurture young construction leaders, in which mainland experts, government officials and renowned industry leaders are invited to share on topics such as national development and macro perspective as well as professional development, aiming to enhance Hong Kong young middle-level construction management’s understanding of the development of the Mainland China.
Ms. Bernadette LINN, Secretary for Development of the HKSAR, Mr. YE Shuiqiu, Deputy Director-General, Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) in the Hong Kong S.A.R., Mr. LIU Zhen, Dean of School of Continuing Education, Tsinghua University and Ir Thomas HO, Chairman of the CIC officiated the kick-off ceremony.
Ms. Bernadette LINN, Secretary for Development of the HKSAR said, "The development of the country has taken a quantum leap forward in the past years, among which 'The Belt and Road Initiative', the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area are closely related to Hong Kong, as well as the development of the engineering sector in Hong Kong. This course provides an excellent opportunity for everyone to have an in-depth understanding of the development of the country. I hope that all students can grasp the opportunities brought by the development of the country to Hong Kong and the industry, and consider how Hong Kong's engineering sector giving play to their talent and further the contribution to the country."
Mr. YE Shuiqiu, Deputy Director-General, Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the LOCPG shared that it was of great and special significance to organise this course during the celebration of HKSAR’s 25th anniversary. He emphasised that the Hong Kong construction industry has a great tradition of loving the country and oving Hong Kong, which is an important force for the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. He hoped that students can fully understand the latest progress and development of the country through learning and exchanges in this course, better grasp the future development opportunities, enhance their sense of belonging and pride to the country, and unite industry fellows.
In his closing remarks, Ir Thomas HO, Chairman of the CIC said, "Hong Kong has a significant advantage of being backed by the Motherland and open to the world. The National 14th Five-Year Plan outlines the strategy to support the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which manifest the Central Government’s strong support to Hong Kong. The CIC will continue to assist young people in seizing the historical opportunities for the future development of Hong Kong, elevate students' awareness of civic education and their sense of national identity through various activities, nurture the younger generation of the construction industry and provide them with opportunities to further develop."
Mr. LIU Zhen, the Dean of School of Continuing Education, Tsinghua University said “The Tsinghua University attaches great importance to exchanges and cooperation with Hong Kong, and has also cooperated with different industries to create a number of special training programmes. As Hong Kong further integrates into the national development of the country, Tsinghua University is willing to strengthen the communication and cooperation with the Hong Kong construction industry, and assist the Hong Kong construction industry in understanding the national development, the discussions on regional cooperation, the expansion of communication channels, and the enhancement of ability and literacy.”
30 students enrolled in the course on national affairs which mainly targets young managers in the Hong Kong construction industry. The course covers national governance and "One Country, Two Systems", the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the opportunities of Hong Kong, aiming to help students in their professional development and enhancement of their literacy, seize the opportunities brought by national development, and contribute to national strategies for high-quality development such as the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with their strengths. The CIC hopes that it will lay a solid foundation for development of young builders through various professional trainings, while enhancing productivity, improving work safety and sustainability, and building a better living environment for Hong Kong citizens in the future.