Chinese President Xi Jinping urges Hong Kong’s youth to read, travel and learn about the country

In response to Lunar New Year letter from police youth group, Xi appeals for city’s youngsters to ‘take practical actions to serve Hong Kong and serve the country’

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Xi Jinping (right) with then chief executive Leung Chun-ying, visiting the Junior Police Call last year. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 7:02pm, 15 Feb 2018Updated: 7:05pm, 15 Feb 2018

Hong Kong youngsters should “read thousands of books”, travel more and try to deepen their understanding of history and national affairs, President Xi Jinping said in response to a Lunar New Year greeting from members of a police youth group.

Wang Zhimin, head of Beijing’s liaison office in the city, on Thursday presented Xi’s reply to the Hong Kong Junior Police Call (JPC), whose training camp the president visited during a tour of the city last year.

In the message, Xi reciprocated the good wishes and extended new year greetings to “wider youth” in the city.

“I hope you will read thousands of books, travel thousands of miles and learn more history, learn more about the national conditions, broaden your horizons, increase your knowledge, hone your skills, become an early leader, and take practical actions to serve Hong Kong and serve the country,” Xi’s letter read.

Junior Police Call members with their letter from Xi, along with Wang Zhimin (right). Photo: Liaison Office

Some of the president’s first interactions with ordinary Hongkongers on his visit to the city in June last year came during a tour of the JPC’s new training camp in Pat Heung, near the Chinese army’s Shek Kong Barracks, which he also visited.