Today, 22 participants from the fifth edition of the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” (Bi-city Programme), the flagship youth learning and exchange initiative of the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM or the Museum), gathered at the Swire Archives in Taikoo Place in Hong Kong. Together, they shared their reflections on a rewarding three-week cultural exploration spanning three cities, ahead of embarking on four-week internships at leading cultural institutions and corporations in Hong Kong.
With Swire Properties as Lead Sponsor and support from the Palace Museum and the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing, the Bi-city Programme creates a unique platform for dialogue, collaboration and experiential learning through cross-city exchanges in Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong this year.
A major highlight of the Hong Kong leg was the exchange session among the 22 university students studying in Beijing and Hong Kong, attended by guests including Clarence Leung, Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government, Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM, and Tim Blackburn, Chief Executive of Swire Properties. The student participants reflected on their cross-city learning experiences and exchanged views on youth engagement, cultural exchange and community placemaking. Guests also shared their insights, with a particular focus on how Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries can offer young people room for growth and opportunities for empowerment.
Clarence Leung, Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government, said, “Young people are our future and a very important driving force for our continuous development. We released the Youth Development Blueprint in late 2022, which sets out our vision and guiding principles towards long-term youth development. Among these, the Government has been dedicated to providing young people with diverse, distinctive and in-depth internship and exchange opportunities in both Chinese Mainland and outside Hong Kong. I’d like to thank the Hong Kong Palace Museum for organising this flagship programme, as well as Swire Properties and Ednovators for their very strong support. Through your collective efforts, young talents from Hong Kong and Beijing have come together on a journey of cultural discovery and creative collaboration. We believe that our young people will be able to take advantage of our ‘One Country, Two Systems’, and we will continue to nurture generations of young people in Hong Kong with a global perspective, positive mindset, and a deep affection for our city and for our country.”
Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM, said, “The ‘Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme’ underscores the Museum’s mission to nurture young talent. Over the past three weeks, our fifth cohort traced the historical depths of Beijing, immersed themselves in the Lingnan heritage of Guangzhou, and experienced the dynamic East-meets-West fusion in Hong Kong. These distinct cultural ecosystems have painted a rich cultural map for the students. We look forward to seeing participants translate their newfound knowledge and experiences into action – not only by applying these insights to their upcoming internships, but also by harnessing cultural innovation to address societal needs throughout their careers, ultimately contributing to a more vibrant and sustainable community.”
Tim Blackburn, Chief Executive of Swire Properties, said, “We see arts and culture as vital elements in building vibrant and sustainable communities – and equally important are the people who bring them to life. The future of our communities will be shaped by the ideas, creativity and commitment of young people such as the 22 students of this year’s Bi-city Programme. We are delighted to continue supporting these young talents in exploring possibilities within the arts and cultural sectors, while contributing to building the creative talent pipeline across Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland.”
The participants also visited the Swire Archives, which houses a rich repository of historical records and artefacts spanning shipping, aviation, beverages, property and other sectors. The visit helped participants gain a deeper understanding of the Swire Group’s evolution in Hong Kong over the past 150 years, offering a fascinating glimpse of the city’s development.
Highlights of the fifth edition of Bi-city Programme in 2026: Expanded scale and participation of overseas students, alongside the launch of the “Innovation Studio” and “Ideas Market” to drive cultural and creative IP innovation with young talents
Since its launch in 2022, the Bi-city Programme has engaged nearly 170 university and tertiary students from Beijing and Hong Kong. Under the theme “Culture in the Making—”, this year’s edition has expanded from 16 to 22 participants and includes overseas students from Japan and Korea to provide broader perspectives and build intercultural dialogue.
Over the past three weeks, the participants visited a number of key cultural landmarks, such as Beijing’s 798 Art District, Guangzhou’s Bai’etan Greater Bay Area Art Centre, and Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK), as well as Swire Properties’ landmark developments across three cities, including Taikoo Li Sanlitun and INDIGO in Beijing, Taikoo Li Julong Wan and Taikoo Hui in Guangzhou, and Taikoo Place in Hong Kong.
Over the coming four weeks, participants will undertake internships at leading organisations, including facilities within WestK, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the HKSAR Government, Swire Properties, DX Design Hub, One Bite Design Studio and Quarryside. Students will gain hands-on experience in areas such as arts administration, programme curation and cultural space operations.
This edition also introduces the new “Innovation Studio”, focused on three key design tracks: Content and IP Creation, Cultural Product Development and Visitor Experience Enhancement. The studio is designed to guide students to translate their observations into tangible creative proposals. Through a structured process of concept pitching, design refinement and prototyping, the studio fosters cross-disciplinary thinking while strengthening participants’ creative and practical capabilities.
The Bi-city Programme will culminate in the “Ideas Market” in Hong Kong in late August. Students will curate their own dedicated display spaces, combining display panels, physical elements and digital prototypes to present their cultural innovation concepts. Centring on the outcomes of the eight-week programme, the Ideas Market will offer a comprehensive showcase of the students’ journey from initial observation to final creation.
Co-designed by programme partner Ednovators, a Hong Kong-based charity, the Bi-city Programme adopts an innovative and inspiring approach to ignite a passion among young people to build careers in Hong Kong’s arts and cultural sector.