An upcoming week of cultural exchange between Hong Kong and mainland youths will promote greater understanding and goodwill.

Zhang Chunsheng, acting deputy director of the organizing committee of the "First China Youth Culture Week", said more than 3,000 Hong Kong youngsters will be cultural ambassadors of the territory in a weeklong extravaganza of cultural programmes and performances in Shenzhen from August 7 to 11.

"This event will be a platform for local youths to learn more about the rich cultural tradition of China and develop friendships with their mainland and overseas counterparts," Zhang told reporters yesterday (Aug. 4) at a press conference.

Zhang revealed that the China Youth Culture Week will comprise dance and musical performances, art exhibitions, along with film festivals and keynote speeches by academics.

A grand opening night in Shenzhen on August 7 will include performances from Hong Kong entertainers, while Chinese space hero Yang Liwei will also be in attendance, he said.

George Lung, chairman of the Hong Kong Guangdong Youth Exchange Promotion Association, said the event has proved popular with local youth, and the response has been overwhelming.

"We did not anticipate so many participants initially, and 3,000 applicants have so far exceeded our expectations," Lung said.

"We think the enthusiastic response can be attributed to not just the young people in Hong Kong, but also their parents and the territory's youth organizations, which have provided solid support for this meaningful event," he explained.

Lung said the China Youth Culture Week will provide invaluable opportunities for its young participants to enrich their cultural experiences.

"While the young people of Hong Kong had early exposure to Western culture and concepts, they have had less opportunities to learn about their own heritage and cultural traditions. Through the exchange of cultural concepts in this event, young people will be rewarded with an enriching experience that they can never get inside the classroom."

Apart from cultural activities, talks on employment and business opportunities on the mainland will provide participants with insights on possible careers north of the border, said Zhang.

Lung believes that the territory's youth are eager to learn more about the motherland, as further integration with the mainland is an inevitable trend.

"We hope to see young Chinese people from Hong Kong, Taiwan, the mainland and other parts of the world making new friends and learning valuable lessons from one another in this week-long event."

Jointly organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture, the provincial and municipal governments of Guangdong and Shenzhen, and the Hong Kong Home Affairs Department, the China Youth Culture Week is sponsored by major media, social and academic organizations in the territory.

Shenzhen news website (www.sznews.com) will start to provide detailed information on the week's events and possible changes of venue or times from tomorrow, said a representative of the Shenzhen municipal government.

Editor: Olivia