| For Immediate Release | 9 August 2025 |
The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM or the Museum) is proud to announce the fourth edition of its flagship youth-learning initiative, the "Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme" (the "Programme"). With Swire Properties as Lead Sponsor, the Programme is supported by 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 (Beijing Office). This initiative echoes the HKSAR Government's Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development, aiming to nurture talents for the sustainable growth of related industries, and to reinforce Hong Kong's role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
A cultural pioneers dialogue of the "Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme" was held at the Hong Kong Palace Museum today
Designed to cultivate the next generation of cultural talents, the Programme has engaged nearly 150 university and tertiary students from Beijing and Hong Kong since its launch in November 2022, offering enriching cultural exchanges and learning activities that foster meaningful connections and innovative perspectives.
Building on the success of previous editions, this year's Programme takes "The Vision of Youth for the Future of Cultural Districts" as its theme, offering a global perspective on trends in cultural district development, using the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) as the core case study. This year, 16 outstanding students from Beijing and Hong Kong, representing a diverse array of displiplines including arts, art history, architecture, philosophy, politics, and finance, have been selected. This interdisciplinary mix encourages innovative thinking and facilitates the exchange of ideas that will contribute to shaping the future development of cultural districts.
Today, these students, together with several alumni from previous editions, convened at the HKPM for a cultural pioneers dialogue. During the session, they shared their aspirations for Hong Kong's cultural industries and districts, engaging in an inspiring dialogue with Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM, and Tim Blackburn, Chief Executive of Swire Properties. Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM, said, "The 'Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme' is a key cultural exchange and education initiative of our Museum. This was the first cultural-leadership exchange programme launched since the inception of the HKPM in 2022, underlining our mission to nurture future leaders in the arts and culture industry. The Programme is dedicated to providing a platform for young people in Beijing and Hong Kong to connect and share ideas, promoting Chinese culture on a global stage and enhancing its global impact. We extend our gratitude to Swire Properties for supporting the Museum's mission and we look forward to cultivating a new generation of cultural leaders."
"We're delighted to welcome a new cohort of passionate young cultural enthusiasts to this meaningful programme," said Tim Blackburn, Chief Executive of Swire Properties. "Youth empowerment is central to our community investment. It is a privilege to help nurture these future leaders and expand the pool of young talent shaping the cultural landscape. This year, we are integrating the initiative with our Swire Properties Placemaking Academy, offering students hands-on experience curating a live performance at Taikoo Place. We are also bringing them to Shanghai — home to our largest footprint in the Chinese Mainland and a city of deep significance to the Swire Group — where immersive experiences in heritage, arts, and innovation will broaden their horizons and inspire the next generation of cultural changemakers."
Highlights of the Fourth Edition in 2025
Over an intensive eight-week period this July and August, participants will take part in a variety of learning experiences, internships, and cultural exchanges across Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai. They will have the opportunity to apply their creativity to practical projects related to the intellectual property (IP) in cultural brands and cultural tourism. The Programme starts with two weeks of immersive learning learning in Hong Kong, concentrating on the clustering impact of cultural districts, as well as the development of cultural brands and IP, community participation and sustainable development.
Furthermore, participants have embarked on a four-week internship at leading cultural institutions, including facilities within WestK, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the HKSAR Government, Swire Properties, One Bite Design Studio and Quarryside. This stage offers hands-on experience across various sectors within the art and cultural landscape.
In the final two weeks, students will visit major cultural venues in Beijing and Shanghai. They will engage deeply with the strategic development and evolution of cultural districts in these two cities, exploring urban cultural dynamics and evaluating how similar approaches might be applied to Hong Kong's cultural district. The Programme also includes analysis of successful cultural product creation in both cities.
A key highlight of the cultural exchange will be the visit to the Palace Museum in Beijing, where students will participate in a cultural exchange session with Dr Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum. Marking the centenary of the Palace Museum in 2025, this dialogue, in conjunction with visits to various units, such as the Department of Cultural Creativity, and Department of Digital and Information, will provide participants with insights into how this world-renowned historical and cultural landmark engages younger generations through storytelling, creative merchandise, and digital technologies. The visit will also explore the roles of major institutions in fostering creative clusters within specific neighbourhoods.
Shanghai is introduced as a new destination in this year's Programme. During the finale, students will visit Swire Properties' landmark developments in the city, including Taikoo Li Qiantan, HKRI Taikoo Hui and ZHANGYUAN. These visits will highlight the developer's ethos in placemaking, by integrating modern commercial design, cultural innovation and heritage preservation into vibrant urban destinations. Students will also meet leaders from the local arts and cultural industry, gaining valuable insights into the shaping of Shanghai's dynamic cultural scene.
Designed by the Programme partner Ednovators, a Hong Kong-based charity, the Programme has inspired many young participants, igniting their passion for Hong Kong's arts and culture sector. After graduation, these alumni have gone on to pursue careers in culture, arts, technology, and education across Hong Kong and the Mainland. Several Beijing alumni have expressed a strong desire to live and work in Hong Kong, actively contributing to the promotion and development of the local arts and cultural community.
For more insights from past participants, please refer to the attachment.
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WestK's websites:
Hong Kong Palace Museum website: https://www.hkpm.org.hk/
WestK website: https://www.westk.hk/
WestK App:
About the Hong Kong Palace Museum
Through innovative curatorial approaches, the Hong Kong Palace Museum presents priceless treasures from the Palace Museum along with the finest collections from other world-renowned institutions. The Museum is also in the process of building its own world-class collection. Opened in 2022, the Museum is a leading institution for the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture and the promotion of dialogue among world civilisations. The Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and The Palace Museum. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust made a donation of HK$3.5 billion for its establishment, as well as some of the annual exhibitions and education programmes in 2023-2031.
Through research, exhibitions, publications, and educational and professional exchange programmes, the Museum builds international partnerships and positions Hong Kong as a global hub for art and culture. A resource that belongs to the local community, the Museum inspires community engagement, fosters dialogue, and promotes creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
https://www.hkpm.org.hk/
Facebook: @hongkongpalacemuseum
Instagram: @hongkongpalacemuseum
LinkedIn: @Hong Kong Palace Museum
微信：香港故宫文化博物馆
小紅書：香港故宫文化博物馆
About the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK)
WestK is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural hubs in the world and Hong Kong's new cultural tourism landmark, spanning 40 hectares alongside Victoria Harbour. WestK comprises a mix of landmark arts and cultural facilities, including world-class museums M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, intricately designed performing arts venues the Xiqu Centre and Freespace, the 11-hectare Art Park with a waterfront promenade, and the upcoming WestK Performing Arts Centre.
Hosting over 1,000 exhibitions, performances, programmes, and events each year, WestK provides a vital platform for both emerging and established artists. WestK welcomes more than 10 million visitors each year, evolving as the international cultural brand of Hong Kong and strengthening the city's strategic role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
https://www.westk.hk
About Swire Properties
Swire Properties develops and manages commercial, retail, hotel, and residential properties, with a particular focus on mixed-use developments in prime locations at major mass transportation intersections. Swire Properties is listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong its investment portfolio includes Taikoo Place, Pacific Place, Cityplaza and Citygate. The Company's completed portfolio in Hong Kong comprises approximately 1.54 million sqm (approximately 16.5 million sq ft) of space.
In the Chinese Mainland, Swire Properties has six completed mixed-use developments. They include Taikoo Li Sanlitun and INDIGO in Beijing, HKRI Taikoo Hui and Taikoo Li Qiantan in Shanghai, Taikoo Hui Guangzhou and Taikoo Li Chengdu. Taikoo Place Beijing^, Taikoo Li Xi'an, Sanya development project (Phase 3)*, New Bund Mixed-use Project* and Lujiazui Taikoo Yuan in Shanghai and Taikoo Li Julong Wan Guangzhou are currently under development. The Company's completed portfolio in the Chinese Mainland comprises approximately 1.3 million sqm (14 million sq ft) of space.
In addition to Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, the Company has a presence in Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and Miami, USA.
Swire Properties has achieved global leadership in sustainable development with its No. 1 ranking in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index 2024 (formerly known as Dow Jones Sustainability World Index), in the Real Estate Management & Development Industry category.
Visit Swire Properties' website at www.swireproperties.com
^Taikoo Place Beijing will include the existing INDIGO upon completion.
*Project name to be confirmed.
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