The authorities say they are working to improve their situation

A fifth of young people in Hong Kong plan to leave the island

Half of Hong Kong's youth under 35 are unsure about the city's future.

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One in five young people in Hong Kong plans to leave and settle abroad.

Half of those under 35 say they are not confident about the city's future.

The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups issued a population survey, two days after Chinese President Xi Jinping declared young people a priority for the regional authorities, three years after the suppression of youth-led mass protests since 2019 and the imposition of the National Security Law by Beijing.

The survey showed that the city's youth are the most willing to solve housing problems, by the government, to listen to them and to repair its relationship with them.

Two-thirds of respondents said they did not believe the Hong Kong government trusted young people, and many said they did not trust the Hong Kong government, either.

However, the survey found that nearly 50% of respondents said they expect to stay in the region, within the next 10 years, and 60% believe they should play a role in building a better Hong Kong.

In a speech last week, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the territory's return to China, Jinping said that Hong Kong "should give special attention to young people," adding, "We must help young people to face the difficulties they face in study, employment, entrepreneurship and housing, So that more opportunities are created for their development and achievements.”

He continued, "We sincerely hope that all Hong Kong youth will devote themselves to building Hong Kong into a better place."

Alice Mack, 51, a pro-Beijing politician, was named the city's first female youth minister.

In a recent interview with the South China Morning Post, Mac pledged to better engage young people to reduce their hostility towards the government, explaining, "President Xi Jinping has entrusted us with working on youth development," Mac said this shows that he attaches great importance to the development of youth. The city’s youth, “Therefore, my team and I will do everything we can to push for youth development.”

Earlier this year, in a survey by the Hong Kong Institute for Asia and Pacific Studies, more than half of the city's residents said there had been no noticeable improvement in the city, and 63.3% of respondents said commuting within the crowded city was worse than it was before. 10 years.

1,054 people between the ages of 15 and 34 participated in the survey conducted by the Federation of Youth Groups, in May, and the results were released a few days ago.

Last year, a survey conducted by the union showed that nearly a quarter of the city's youth plan to find work outside Hong Kong within the next five years.

Since the 2019 protests, the Beijing authorities and the Hong Kong administration have drafted a national security law, which has since been used to arrest dozens of activists, media professionals and pro-democracy advocates.

it introduced a more "national" curriculum in schools;

It renewed election laws to keep opposition politicians deemed not patriotic enough out of the city legislature.

The changes eliminated dissenting voices in the region and prompted many to leave.

60%

Of those surveyed believe they should play a role in building a better Hong Kong.

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