Secretary Alice Mak Visits HKCT, Hears Students Share Experiences in Mainland Exchange and Flag-Raising Training: Building Resilience and a Sense of Responsibility
(20 May 2026, Hong Kong) — Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Ms. Alice Mak, SBS, JP, visited Hong Kong College of Technology (HKCT) yesterday (19 May) and met with members of the HKCT National Flag Guard. During the visit, she listened to students share their experiences in flag-raising training and their participation in Mainland exchange programmes supported by government funding. She noted that flag-raising training is not merely ceremonial, but also helps foster a sense of patriotism among young people and enhances their personal development. She encouraged youth to seize diverse opportunities and actively participate in national development.
During the exchange session, several members of the National Flag Guard enthusiastically shared their hands-on experiences in flag-raising training, as well as their insights from taking part in Mainland exchange programmes funded by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau. They said these experiences had strengthened their discipline and teamwork skills, taught them how to respond to unexpected situations under pressure, and helped build their sense of responsibility and confidence.
Secretary Mak listened attentively to the students and responded on the spot, stating: “Flag-raising training is not only a ceremony, but also an important pathway to cultivating patriotism and enhancing personal qualities. As long as you have confidence, perseverance, and aspirations, you can contribute to society in any role.” She emphasised that young people should make full use of different learning and exchange opportunities, continuously equip themselves, and prepare for future development.
She also highlighted that the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau provides a wide range of development opportunities for young people and encouraged students to explore exchange and internship programmes through the “HKYouth+” mobile application. She specifically mentioned the thematic Mainland internship programmes, which enable participants to undertake internships at locations such as the Palace Museum in Beijing, the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, the Giant Panda National Park in Sichuan, and Hunan TV. In addition, there are United Nations volunteer internships lasting up to six months. She also called on young people aged 16 or above to apply through self-nomination to join the Youth Committees across Hong Kong’s 18 districts, in order to broaden their horizons, better equip themselves, and contribute to social development.
Professor Chan Cheuk-hei, President of HKCT, expressed gratitude to the Bureau for providing diverse exchange and internship opportunities for youth, allowing students to broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding. He noted that the training provided by the National Flag Guard not only strengthens students’ sense of national identity but also enables them to learn how to adjust their mindset, handle pressure, and formulate contingency plans through repeated practice—skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Established in 2022, the HKCT National Flag Guard is the first of its kind among self-financing tertiary institutions in Hong Kong. It is committed to promoting patriotic education by teaching flag-raising techniques and enhancing students’ understanding of the national flag, national emblem, and national anthem. The exchange provided students with a deeper understanding of the youth development programmes of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and inspired them to actively integrate into national development.
