Hong Kong Palace Museum’s Third “Bi-City Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” Brings Together Beijing and Hong Kong University Students to Discuss the Future of Cultural Ecosystems with Palace Museum Director Dr Wang Xudong

The third edition of the Hong Kong Palace Museum’s (HKPM or the Museum) flagship youth-learning initiative, the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” (the Programme), reached its final stop today at the Palace Museum in Beijing, marking the conclusion of an immersive two-month journey of cultural-exchange that has spanned Hong Kong, Chengdu and Beijing.

Participating students from Beijing and Hong Kong engaged in insightful discussions on the promotion of Chinese culture and the development of creative industries with Dr Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum; Lou Wei, Executive Deputy Director of the Palace Museum; Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM; Vinci Chan, Assistant Director, The Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative (HKSAR) Region in Beijing and Han Zhi, Director, Retail at Swire Properties.

With Swire Properties as the Lead Sponsor, the Programme is supported by the Palace Museum and The Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing. The initiative was designed by programme partner Ednovators, a Hong Kong-based charity.

In addition to a dynamic session, the Beijing programme also included a full-day visit to the Palace Museum. Highlights included a tour of the soon-to-be-unveiled Digital Gallery of the Great Hall of Exalted Mystery – where students learned how the Museum leverages digital solutions to showcase Chinese culture creatively; and a visit to the Department of Conservation Science, to explore the application of technology in artefact conservation.

A key highlight was the sharing session between students and Dr Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum who shared his extensive knowledge during his talk, under the theme “All that is the Forbidden City and the Forbidden City for All”. Students then shared their learnings and experiences throughout the two-month study tour that revolved around the theme “TheFuture ofCultural Ecosystems”. There were in-depth exchanges between the students and the special guests in attendance.

Dr Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum, said, “The  Palace Museum has closely collaborated with the Hong Kong Palace Museum for three editions of the ‘Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme’. The Programme fosters cultural exchange between Beijing and Hong Kong, cultivating young cultural talents with strong vision and innovative thinking. Their participation injects new vitality into the inheritance of Chinese traditional culture. The past editions saw active participation from students in both cities exude cultural confidence, a strong sense of cultural identity and a forward-thinking creative mindset. Moving forward, the Palace Museum will continue working with the Hong Kong Palace Museum, drawing on the cultural resources of both parties. We hope to welcome more young people and students to the Palace Museum, enabling them to immerse themselves in the invaluable cultural heritage, and subsequently share their enlightening experiences with the others, thereby promoting the brilliance of Chinese culture.”

Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM, said, “We are deeply encouraged by how well the programme was received by students in Beijing and Hong Kong, as well as industry professionals and experts over the past three editions of the ‘Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme’. We are grateful to Swire Properties for their generous sponsorship, which has enabled the Programme to reach and inspire youth through cultural, artistic and academic exchanges. The Programme not only advances our goal of fostering cultural interaction and promoting Chinese cultural heritage, it also reinforces Hong Kong’s position as an international hub for cultural talent and future industry leaders.”

Tim Blackburn, Chief Executive of Swire Properties, said, “We are delighted to have shared our experiences of successful placemaking with the third cohort of the ‘Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme’, showcasing the way we integrate art and local culture into our developments in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Beijing. Ultimately, we hope to empower the next generation to create vibrant and sustainable places where arts and culture can thrive as a part of everyday life. We’re honoured to have collaborated with numerous cultural institutions and many exceptional individuals, and we look forward to the impact that these students will have in the future.”

For this third edition participating students took part in a two-month cultural exchange and learning programme that began in Hong Kong in July, followed by visits to Chengdu and Beijing. By participating in immersive workshops, masterclasses and internships at arts and cultural institutions or private enterprises in Hong Kong, the students have had the opportunity to broaden their horizons and develop into “cultural entrepreneurs”.

In mid-August, participants visited the recently-opened New Sanxingdui Museum and Taikoo Li Chengdu, and learnt about integrating art, culture and historical elements into placemaking. They also attended a forum on “Tradition and Future: Modernisation and Localisation of Cultural Legacy” and had an opportunity to speak with experts in the fields of cultural heritage, design and architecture on topics such as cultural inheritance, innovation and urban rejuvenation.

The Programme has immersed nearly 130 university students from Beijing and Hong Kong in a series of exciting cultural exchanges and learning activities since its inception in November 2022.

Applications for the fourth edition of the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” will be accepted in early 2025. More details will be announced on the HKPM’s website in due course.