Shun Tak Group (the “Group”) has long regarded youth development as a vital component of its corporate social responsibility, committing the Group to building platforms for young people to learn and grow. August 12 marks the United Nations International Youth Day. This year’s theme – “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations” – resonates with the Group’s youth development ethos. We believe young people hold aspirations for the future regardless of their backgrounds and origins. Leveraging the Group’s diversified cross-regional business portfolio spanning transportation, tourism, property and investment, we empower young talents to maximise their strengths and pursue their dreams.

NEW BUND 31, the Group’s large-scale cultural and commercial complex in Shanghai, runs the “31 ESG Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Internship Program” to break geographical barriers. The initiative provides a practical platform for youth from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and other regions to facilitate cultural exchanges, inspire innovative thinking and support career development. Combining theoretical learning with hands-on practice, the program delivers mentor-led review sessions and cross-departmental standard operating procedure training. These sessions equip interns with systematic thinking in real-world business settings and help them explore their own career paths. Interns also undertake practical duties, including event venue coordination and audience interviews, attend project meetings, and assist in updating operational product manuals. This immersive exposure enables them to gain comprehensive insights into the overall operation of cultural and commercial projects, apply knowledge in practice, and grow alongside business development.

This summer, NEW BUND 31 also participated in the “Shanghai-Hong Kong Student Internship Program”. Guided by the Shanghai Chinese Overseas Friendship Association and the Shanghai Youth Federation, the program is co-organised by the Federation of Hong Kong-Shanghai Associations, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong and other institutions. It is supported by the Youth Work Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai, the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association and other organisations. The program offers internship opportunities in Shanghai for university students, helping them take their first step into the professional workplace. This year, over 1,700 students applied, and around 350 participants were selected for six-to-eight-week workplace attachments in Shanghai, allowing them to experience the city’s vibrancy and China’s development opportunities first-hand. As a cultural landmark of Shanghai, NEW BUND 31 hosted a group of participating interns, fostering a bridge for mutual understanding, integration and shared growth among cross-city youth.

The Group’s sustained dedication to youth cultivation has earned widespread recognition. NEW BUND 31 recently received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Shanghai Chinese Overseas Friendship Association, in recognition of its outstanding contributions to internship services for youth from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese communities. Interns have attained remarkable growth throughout the program. Celia Fan, a University of Macau intern from NEW BUND 31’s Business Events Team, shared: “In just over a month, hands-on practice helped us understand the value of our roles and build solid professional competence. The professional capabilities and broad vision cultivated from this experience will give us confidence and become solid support for our future development.”

Looking ahead, Shun Tak Group will continue to empower youth development. We will fully leverage the “Shun Tak NextGen” platform and integrate cross-regional and cross-industry resources to expand diverse development opportunities for young people. Through internship exchanges, mentorship programs, corporate visits and industry sharing sessions, young people can explore their potential and broaden their global horizons in practical scenarios. The Group strives to nurture a new generation of innovative, globally minded talents for the cultural and tourism industry.