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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.
Guests joined participants from the fifth edition of “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” at the Swire Archives in Taikoo Place for an insightful sharing session.
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.
WestK’s websites:
Hong Kong Palace Museum website: https://www.hkpm.org.hk/
WestK website: https://www.westk.hk/
WestK App:
WestK ticketing WeChat mini programme:
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 2023–2032.
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
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LinkedIn：@Hong Kong Palace Museum
WeChat：香港故宫文化博物馆
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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 and its investment portfolio in Hong Kong comprises Taikoo Place, Pacific Place, Cityplaza and Citygate. The Company’s completed portfolio in Hong Kong comprises approximately 1.51 million sqm (approximately 16.3 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, Taikoo Li Sanya*, the expansion of Taikoo Li Qiantan, 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 (14.4 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, U.S.A.
Visit Swire Properties’ website at www.swireproperties.com
^Taikoo Place Beijing will include the existing INDIGO upon completion.
*Project name has yet to be confirmed.
Please note that the images are for Editorial Use Only; reproduction, distribution or framing of the photos for any other use is only permissible subject to prior written approval from the Hong Kong Palace Museum.
Download high resolution images and captions:
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Guests joined participants from the fifth edition of “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” at the Swire Archives in Taikoo Place for an insightful sharing session.
(Fourth from the left in the back row)
Ada Wong, Chair, Ednovators;
Tim Blackburn, Chief Executive of Swire Properties;
Clarence Leung, Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government;
Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM);
Dr George Ma, Head of Learning and Engagement, HKPM
© Hong Kong Palace Museum
Clarence Leung, Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government, delivered his remarks during the Youth Exchange Session of the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme”.
© Hong Kong Palace Museum
Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM, delivered his remarks at the Youth Exchange Session of the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme”.
© Hong Kong Palace Museum
Tim Blackburn, Chief Executive of Swire Properties, delivered his remarks at the opening ceremony of the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme”.
© Hong Kong Palace Museum
The guests and students exchanged insights during the Youth Exchange Session of the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme”.
© Hong Kong Palace Museum
During their stay in Hong Kong, students of the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” visited key cultural landmarks, such as the HKPM, and the Swire Archives.
© Hong Kong Palace Museum
During their stay in Beijing, students of the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” visited key cultural landmarks, such as 798 Art District, alongside Swire Properties’ landmark developments, including Taikoo Li Sanlitun.
© Hong Kong Palace Museum
During their stay in Guangzhou, students of the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” visited key cultural landmarks, such as the Guangzhou Museum of Art, alongside Swire Properties’ landmark developments, including Taikoo Li Julong Wan Guangzhou, and Taikoo Hui Guangzhou.
© Hong Kong Palace Museum
Appendix
1) Programme theme of the fifth edition of “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme”
Programme Theme: Culture in the Making —
The fifth edition of the Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme centers on the overarching theme “Culture in the Making —” This edition invites young participants to explore, interrogate, and reimagine the dynamic relationship between cultural spaces and urban life across three distinctive cities. At its core, the programme addresses a central guiding question:
As future change-makers, how can young people reconnect cultural venues with city living? In the face of rapidly evolving urban landscapes, how might they actively intervene to ensure cultural spaces enter into a genuine dialogue with local communities and individual lives?
Grounded in the premise that culture is not a static exhibit but a living force continuously shaped and renewed by the cities we inhabit, the programme is structured as a progressive three-city cultural learning journey. Moving from Beijing to Guangzhou and concluding in Hong Kong, each city presents a distinct sub-theme that builds sequentially upon the last.
Focus of the Three Cities
| City | Name | Tertiary Institutions | Academic Department/Discipline |
| Beijing | Yang Yijian | Tsinghua University | Art History |
| Beijing | Zheng Jiachen | Peking University | Art History, Business Administration |
| Beijing | Xiao Tianjiao | Beijing Normal University | Chinese Language and Literature |
| Beijing | Wang Anni | Beijing Normal University | Law |
| Beijing | He Lewei | Central Academy of Fine Arts | Art History, Art Management |
| Beijing | Ou Aki | Peking University | Cultural Relics and Museum Studies |
| Beijing | Wang Yingpei | Communication University of China | Cultural Industry Management |
| Beijing | Li Yuting | Peking University | German Studies |
| Beijing | Zhang Zheming | Beijing Film Academy | Radio and Television Scriptwriting and Directing |
| Beijing | Chang Shangcheng | Beijing Forestry University | Applied Psychology |
| Beijing | Yun Bohyeon | Central Academy of Fine Arts | Visual Communication |
| Hong Kong | Li Wai Wah Daniel |
Hong Kong Shue Yan University | Arts, Culture and Technology |
| Hong Kong | Yu Sum In | Hong Kong Shue Yan University | Arts, Culture and Technology |
| Hong Kong | Yan Yumeng | The Hong Kong Polytechnic University | Chinese History and Culture |
| Hong Kong | Li Shengya | The University of Hong Kong | Sociology |
| Hong Kong | Zeng Yik Hing | The Chinese University of Hong Kong | Cultural Management |
| Hong Kong | Wong Pui Yu Ellen | Hong Kong Baptist University | Visual Arts |
| Hong Kong | Bu Wanrong | The University of Hong Kong | Architectural Studies |
| Hong Kong | Zhang Yuqing | Hong Kong Shue Yan University | Sociology |
| Hong Kong | Chung Hong Yat | The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong | Philosophy, Politics and Economics |
| Hong Kong | Miao Jiayou | The Hong Kong Polytechnic University | Accounting and Finance |
| Hong Kong | Lin Yanbing | The Education University of Hong Kong | Heritage Education and Arts Management |
| Maggie Chen Participant of the second edition of “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” Maggie is currently pursuing an MA in Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of Hong Kong and is a participant of the second cohort of the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme”. The experience inspired her to explore the connections between education, culture, and Hong Kong society. Drawing on her background in education and linguistics, as well as her perspective as a student from the Mainland, she has contributed to interdisciplinary projects across schools, museums, and art spaces. Recently, she has also been exploring social innovation projects, including the development of a TTS-based Hong Kong cultural map designed to make local culture more accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. |
| Ryan Lou Participant of the second edition of “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” Ryan graduated from the University of Hong Kong, majoring in Art History and Chinese History. After graduation, he worked in an art charity before joining the Learning and Engagement team at the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM). This new role marks a continuation of his cultural journey with the HKPM, following his previous internship under the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme”. |
| Ray Song Participant of the second edition of “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” Ray is a Learning and Engagement Officer at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. He graduated from the School of Chinese Language and Literature at Beijing Normal University and was a participant of the second edition of the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme”. His interests focus on museum education, public culture, civil society, and social innovation. Through the development of learning programmes, public engagement initiatives, and cross-sector collaborations, he is committed to fostering public participation in arts and culture while building connections between cultural heritage and diverse communities. |
| Patrick Lin Participant of the third edition of “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” Participating in the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” sparked Patrick’s interest in the role of museums within urban cultural ecosystems. Through visiting museums and art galleries, he developed a keen interest in how exhibitions and public engagement initiatives reflect and shape local cultural scenes. He is thrilled to return to the Hong Kong Palace Museum, where he studied and interned two years ago, to continue his professional journey in the cultural sector. |
| Ricky Tian Participant of the third edition of “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme” Ricky recently graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong with a Bachelor of Social Science, majoring in Architectural Studies and double minoring in Economics and Urban Studies. Through his participation in the third edition of the “Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme”, he gained valuable insights into cultural exchange and cross-city collaboration. His academic interests lie in the profound interplay between culture and spatial production. His undergraduate research project, “Delineations: Boundaries, Settlement and Imaginaries of the Lingding Sea and Lingding Islands”, was awarded the CUHK China Research Fund for Undergraduate Students. He currently works in the civil aviation industry, where he continues to explore the connections between people, place, and space from diverse perspectives. |