Young people in the SAR lack the determination and persistence to go on and achieve their goals, said local educators. At a youth forum organised by Breakthrough to discuss the career prospects of local university students, Secretary for Education and Manpower Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun urged them to follow their mainland counterparts.
'Don't leave a treasury empty-handed,' said Mrs Law, who thought young people were missing a great opportunity to expand their horizons by not tuning in to English channels such as the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network.
According to two Education and Manpower Bureau surveys, most university graduates lack basic requirements such as problem-solving skills, while their English standards are also unsatisfactory.
Professor Francis Lui, director of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's Centre for Economic Development, said a knowledge of Putonghua was crucial in order to take advantage of China's accession to the World Trade Organisation. Professor Lui also reminded young people to learn from Venice and Florence.
'Venice was an entrepot, like Hong Kong, but has lost its way. Florence was willing to nurture outstanding artists from all over the world, and continues to attract such people. Hong Kong's destiny depends on your [the students'] vision,' he said.
