Swire Properties-backed cultural leadership programme expands across Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Palace Museum’s flagship youth development programme has brought together 22 students for cross-city cultural learning, industry dialogue and internships, with Swire Properties continuing as Lead Sponsor.
Twenty-two university students have completed the first three weeks of the fifth Hong Kong Palace Museum ‘Bi-city Youth Cultural Leadership Programme’, ahead of undertaking internships at cultural institutions, government bodies, creative organisations and businesses across Hong Kong.
Supported by Lead Sponsor Swire Properties, the Palace Museum and the Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in Beijing, the programme combines cultural exchange, professional development and practical experience across Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Participants gathered at the Swire Archives in Taikoo Place on 23 July to reflect on their experiences and discuss youth engagement, cultural exchange and community placemaking with leaders from the public, cultural and business sectors.
The session was attended by Clarence Leung, Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government; Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum; and Tim Blackburn, Chief Executive of Swire Properties.
Blackburn said arts and culture were vital to the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities, alongside the people responsible for developing and delivering cultural activity.
‘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,’ he said.
‘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 programme illustrates how sustained collaboration between cultural institutions, government, charities and business can support workforce development while responding to wider social and community priorities.
Since its launch in 2022, the initiative has worked with almost 170 university and tertiary students from Beijing and Hong Kong. The 2026 programme has expanded from 16 to 22 participants and, for the first time, includes overseas students from Japan and Korea.
Under the theme ‘Culture in the Making—’, participants have visited cultural districts and developments including Beijing’s 798 Art District, Guangzhou’s Bai’etan Greater Bay Area Art Centre and Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District.
They have also explored Swire Properties developments in the 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.
Dr Louis Ng said the programme reflected the Museum’s commitment to developing future cultural leaders.
‘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,’ he said.
Internships and cultural innovation
Participants will now begin four-week internships with organisations including West Kowloon Cultural District facilities, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Swire Properties.
The placements will provide practical experience in areas including arts administration, programme curation and the operation of cultural spaces.
The 2026 programme has also introduced an ‘Innovation Studio’, covering Content and IP Creation, Cultural Product Development and Visitor Experience Enhancement.
Students will develop their observations into creative proposals through concept pitching, design refinement and prototyping. Their work will be presented at an ‘Ideas Market’ in Hong Kong in late August, featuring display materials, physical installations and digital prototypes.
The programme is co-designed by Ednovators, a Hong Kong charity specialising in education innovation, and aims to encourage young people to consider careers in Hong Kong’s arts and cultural sector.
Clarence Leung said the programme supported the Government’s wider aim of providing young people with distinctive and in-depth internship and exchange opportunities.
‘Through your collective efforts, young talents from Hong Kong and Beijing have come together on a journey of cultural discovery and creative collaboration,’ he said.
The students’ visit to the Swire Archives also provided an opportunity to explore records and artefacts documenting the Swire Group’s development in Hong Kong over the past 150 years, spanning sectors including shipping, aviation, beverages and property.