August 22, 2024 -- As the new academic year approaches, over 30 Hong Kong secondary school students spent part of their summer holiday participating in the inaugural T-Future Pioneers youth exchange programme. The students visited Xi’an to gain insight into the country’s latest sustainable development strategies. One student remarked that the programme allowed him to understand how China utilises renewable energy to improve urban ecology, while experiencing the city’s rich historical atmosphere and even teaching locals Cantonese, promoting cultural exchange.
A group of more than 30 young people from various Hong Kong secondary schools recently arrived in Xi’an, an ancient capital with a thousand-year history. Their itinerary included a visit to Xian Qinhua Gas, a joint venture of The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) in the region, where they learned about the company’s high-quality development. The programme also arranged for experts to lecture on various topics, including the national policy guidelines for sustainable development under the 14th Five-Year Plan, enabling students to understand national development and corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies.
Students also visited Xi’an Jiaotong University, a key national university, to prepare for future career planning. They toured the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Yangjialing Revolutionary Site, and Daming Palace National Heritage Park. By immersing themselves in famous historical scenes and interacting with ancient artefacts, students deepened their understanding of Chinese history and culture, fostering a sense of patriotism.
Ng Chau-pang, a student from St. Louis School, said the exchange was fruitful, “For example, in Yan’an, we learned about revolutionary history and saw where historical figures lived – it’s like experiencing their situation at the time. We also met many interesting friends. One particularly special experience was teaching local Xi’an people to speak Cantonese, sharing our Cantonese culture.” His classmate, Lam Sun-yui, added, “I didn’t know much about ESG and renewable energy before, but the courses on this trip helped me understand more about energy knowledge and how Xi’an, as an important hub, uses renewable energy to improve the urban ecological environment.”
This year’s inaugural T-Future Pioneers programme, jointly organised by Towngas and the Hong Kong China Education Fund, aims to encourage the younger generation to appreciate and embrace diverse cultures, enhance Hong Kong youth’s love towards the country and Hong Kong, promote patriotic education, and nurture ESG talent. Mr Martin Kee Wai-ngai, Chief Operating Officer - Mainland Utilities of Towngas, said, “ESG has become a key focus for businesses in recent years, with social responsibility being a crucial concept. The T-Future Pioneers programme hopes to enable Hong Kong youth to step beyond textbooks and Hong Kong, personally experience China’s long history and culture, and witness the great achievements of national development over the years, thereby better integrating into the new journey of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
Mr Kee explained that the name “T-Future Pioneers” has a threefold meaning, representing “Towngas”, “Teenagers”, and “Teaching”. Towngas currently operates over 300 city-gas projects on the Chinese mainland, serving tens of millions of users, making it an ideal platform for Hong Kong youth to learn about the Chinese mainland.
In brief
Towngas and the Hong Kong China Education Fund jointly organised the first T-Future Pioneers exchange, bringing more than 30 Hong Kong secondary school students to Xi’an during the summer. The programme included a visit to Towngas’s regional joint venture, Xian Qinhua Gas, and sessions on sustainable development policy, ESG and renewable energy. Students also toured Xi’an Jiaotong University and historical and cultural sites, including the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses and Daming Palace National Heritage Park. Towngas says the initiative is intended to broaden students’ cultural understanding, support patriotic education and nurture ESG talent. Participants described learning about China’s history and energy topics, as well as exchanging culture with local residents. The company says it operates more than 300 city-gas projects on the Chinese mainland.
Key takeaways
- More than 30 Hong Kong secondary students took part in the inaugural exchange programme in Xi’an.
- The itinerary included sessions on sustainable development, ESG and renewable energy, alongside cultural and historical visits.
- Towngas and the Hong Kong China Education Fund jointly organised the programme.
- Towngas says it operates over 300 city-gas projects on the Chinese mainland.
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Press photo:
Photo 1:
Towngas organises the T-Future Pioneers youth exchange programme, sending 30 Hong Kong secondary school students to Xi’an for an ESG exploration tour.
Photos 2 and 3:
Students participating in the T-Future Pioneers youth exchange programme visit the Daming Palace National Heritage Park, immersing themselves in Chinese culture. Some students dressed in qipao and carried paper fans for photos.
Photo 4:
Students in the T-Future Pioneers youth exchange programme visit the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses.
Photo 5:
Students visit Zhou Enlai’s former residence to learn about revolutionary history.
Photo 6:
Participating students tour Xi’an Jiaotong University, a key national university.
Photo 7:
Students explore the smart classroom operations area at Xi’an Jiaotong University.
Photo 8:
Students engage in discussions during various courses.
Photo 9:
Participating students visit Xian Qinhua Gas, Towngas’ joint venture in Xi’an, to learn about the latest energy developments.
Photo 10:
Students explore the Great Tang All Day Mall, experiencing the vibrant nightlife of the ancient cultural city.
Photo 11:
The programme arranges for experts to explain the national policy guidelines for sustainable development under China’s 14th Five-Year Plan to students.
Photo 12:
Ng Chau-pang, a student from St. Louis School, says he gained an understanding of Chinese history and culture while making many new friends.
Photo 13:
Lam Sun-yui, a student from St. Louis School, says the trip helped him learn about ESG and renewable energy.
Photo 14:
Mr Martin Kee Wai-ngai, Chief Operating Officer - Mainland Utilities of Towngas, hopes the T-Future Pioneers youth exchange programme will enable Hong Kong youth to go beyond textbooks and Hong Kong to personally experience China’s long history and culture.
Photo 15:
Ms Wong Zhong-ying, Chairperson of the Hong Kong China Education Fund, encourages participating students to deepen their understanding of national culture through this trip.
For media enquiries, please contact:
The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
Ms Kara Kwong
Senior Corporate Affairs Officer
Tel: 2963 3497 / 6698 3357
Email: [email protected]
Mr Julius Chow
Senior Corporate Affairs Officer
Tel: 2963 3471 / 6969 1360
Email: [email protected]
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Questions around this news
What did Hong Kong students do during Towngas’s Xi’an youth exchange programme?
The students visited Xi’an for activities focused on energy, sustainable development, history and culture. Their itinerary included a visit to Xian Qinhua Gas, lectures on national sustainable-development policy and corporate ESG strategies, and tours of Xi’an Jiaotong University and historical sites. Students also spoke about meeting peers and sharing Cantonese with local residents.
Who organised the T-Future Pioneers programme, and what was it intended to achieve?
The programme was jointly organised by Towngas and the Hong Kong China Education Fund. According to the release, it aims to encourage young people to appreciate different cultures, strengthen Hong Kong students’ connection with the country and Hong Kong, support patriotic education, and help nurture talent with knowledge of ESG.
What is a joint venture, such as Xian Qinhua Gas?
A joint venture is a business arrangement in which two or more parties work together on a particular company, project or activity. The parties typically contribute resources and share responsibilities, control and the results of the venture according to their agreement. The structure can be used to combine expertise or operate in a particular market.
What does ESG mean in a business context?
ESG stands for environmental, social and governance. It is a framework for considering how an organisation manages issues such as its environmental impact, its relationships with employees and communities, and its leadership, oversight and business conduct. The specific topics assessed can vary by organisation and context.
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