The opening ceremony of the initiative. [Photo/WeChat account: zjs_qnlhh]

Zhejiang kicked off an initiative in Hangzhou on July 3, inviting Hong Kong and Macao youth to travel around the province, local media outlets reported.

Yi Lianhong, Party secretary of Zhejiang province, delivered a speech at the launch ceremony and announced the start of the initiative. Chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee Ka-chiu, and chief executive of the Macao SAR Ho Iat Seng made remarks via video.

Yi, on behalf of Zhejiang province and over 65 million local residents, welcomed the Hong Kong and Macao youth, saying "Today, here, I see the vibrant and energetic faces of you all and can feel your lofty aspirations. It reminds me of a saying: 'When Hong Kong and Macao youth come to Zhejiang, they will surely thrive.'"

John Lee Ka-chiu expressed gratitude to Zhejiang province for its high regard for the initiative. He said he hoped that the Hong Kong youth participating in the program would cherish the opportunity to deepen their understanding of China's achievements in modernization and Zhejiang province's latest developments. He urged them to contemplate how they could contribute to the high-quality development of the nation and the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

Ho Iat Seng pointed out that the gathering of youth from Zhejiang, Hong Kong, and Macao in Hangzhou, working together to support the Asian Games, perfectly aligns with the theme of the event, "Heart to Heart, @Future."

This initiative, jointly organized by the United Front Work Department of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee Federation of Zhejiang Associations in Hong Kong, and Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai-Macao Association, will span six days. During the program, nearly 1,000 young people from Hong Kong and Macao will be divided among the 11 cities in Zhejiang for research and exchange activities.

Young people from Macao visit the Grand Canal Park in Gongshu district, Hangzhou. [Photo/WeChat account: dyhpark]