The Dream Factory of China

　　JULIE FOK is considering Shenzhen as a place to start her future career, even though it’s just her first day working as an intern for the Qianhai Authority at the human resources department.

　　The undergraduate, who studies business administration at the University College of London, is one of 500 Hong Kong students in the internship program based in Qianhai and sponsored by the Hong Kong government this year.

　　“The diversity of industries in Shenzhen provides us with more opportunities,” Fok said, adding that the fierce competition in Hong Kong left young people with fewer options in career planning.

　　Fok and 20 other students, who started their internship tour in Qianhai on Friday, were in the second internship group organized by Hong Kong Y. Elites Association Ltd., while the first group already finished the journey on the same day.

　　The internship program has been launched in at least 14 mainland cities this summer, and the tour in Qianhai is co-organized by 10 Hong Kong NGOs.

　　“We’ve already hosted internship tours in Tianjin for three years,” said Yvonne Wong, the vice chairman of Hong Kong Y. Elites Association Ltd.

　　Wong said students who joined the Tianjin tour might lay emphasis on cultural communication, while those in the Qianhai group took the internship more seriously and valued the work experience in Qianhai.

　　Interns of the second group are working in several technology companies, banks and courier companies in Qianhai, as well as in different departments of the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone.

　　The internship will last five weeks, with various visits, volunteer services and trainings scheduled every weekend. The administration fee and accommodation cost are fully covered by the Hong Kong government.

　　Calvin Ng, an undergraduate of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology majoring in logistics management, said he joined the program because Shenzhen has become an international logistics hub. “I would like to practice the knowledge I’ve learnt and also absorb new ideas from the internship,” he said.

　　After visiting the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub, Ng said he was impressed by the favorable policies and facilitation measures introduced by Shenzhen government to support Hong Kong youth in starting their careers in Shenzhen.

　　Wong said except for the work experience in Qianhai, Hong Kong students would also benefit from the opportunity to learn more about Shenzhen. “I don’t think it’s right to emphasize the rivalry between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, we should focus on the cooperation and coexistence of the two cities instead,” she added.