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MSRS and BOC Co-organize “Operation Zhang Qian 2018” Kick-off Ceremony

2018-05-25

       The Maritime Silk Road Society (MSRS) and the Bank of China (Hong Kong) today (25 May) jointly organized the “Operation Zhang Qian – Undergraduate Summer Internship Programme 2018” kick-off ceremony at the Bank of China Centre in Olympian City to officially launch this year’s internship programme.

       “Operation Zhang Qian” was initiated by MSRS in 2016 to help university students in Hong Kong to learn about the “Belt and Road Initiative”, seize the developmental opportunities offered by the Initiative and to widen their horizon.

       Now in its third year, “Operation Zhang Qian” is sponsored by the Home Affairs Bureau and supported by 18 sponsoring organizations which have offered 185 internship places for Hong Kong undergraduates to work in mainland China, ASEAN countries, Belt and Road regions, Greece and Djibouti (Africa) for four to eight weeks.

      Mrs Regina Ip, Co-Chair of the Maritime Silk Road Society; Ms Li Haixia, General Manager, Head of Human Resources, Human Resources Department of the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited; Ms Eunice Yung, Vice-Chair (Administration) of the MSRS Youth Opportunities Committee; and Mr Roland Wong, Vice-Chair (Development) of the MSRS Youth Opportunities Committee spoke at the kick-off ceremony. Over 100 guests, including students who had been selected to take part in the programme, representatives of host organizations and participating institutions attended the ceremony.

       Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Regina Ip, said, “Once again, I would like to thank the Bank of China for the third consecutive years for co-organizing the kick-off ceremony, sponsoring the venue, and arranging a briefing session for all students taking part in the internship programme.”

       Mrs Ip said, “On behalf of MSRS, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the 18 host organizations for their staunch support of the programme. There are two organizations – Chimelong Resorts and Jiang Xi Mei Fan Technology Co., Ltd – that have joined the programme for the first time. This year, a record of 185 placements, with 20% more than that of last year’s, are offered by the host organizations. More than 800 students have submitted their applications, vying for the various positions under the internship programme.”

      Mrs Ip also took the opportunity to thank the Home Affairs Bureau for providing funding to the internship programme thus demonstrating recognition from the public and support from the Government.

        Ms Li Haixia said, “As the largest Chinese bank in Hong Kong, we should actively grasp historical opportunity – the Belt and Road Initiative, and follow our strategic goal to ‘Build a World-class Bank in the New Era’ with aims of striving to develop ourselves and enhancing our competitiveness. We continue to support ‘Operation Zhang Qian’ so as to lead students to have a better understanding of Chinese culture, history and the national strategy from which they can gain knowledge and achievement. Intern students should take the bull by the horns, being innovative, having perseverance and the spirit of Zhang Qian.”

       According to Ms Eunice Yung, the academic performance of the interns in general was outstanding and their average GPAs were higher than that of last two years. At the same time, she was pleased to learn that some host organizations had increased the number of internship places and provided a greater variety of jobs.

        Also addressing the ceremony, Mr Roland Wong encouraged intern students to participate in the “Slice of Life Challenge” Video Contest in order to share their invaluable moments during internships. As a mentor of Operation Zhang Qian Network, he encouraged intern students to join the Network after completion of internships.

     More than 800 students submitted applications under the internship programme. From 21 February to 6 April, about 600 applicants were invited to attend 54 face-to-face interview sessions conducted by MSRS. It is anticipated that about 100 students will be offered internship jobs when all the host organizations have completed the shortlisting process.

     This year’s host organizations are Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, Chatrium Hotels and Residences, Chimelong Resorts, China Merchants Group, China National Travel Service Group Corporation, China Resources Group, CLP Holdings Limited, Euroterra Capital, Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jardine Matheson Limited, Jiang Xi Mei Fan Technology Co., Ltd, K. Wah Construction Materials (HK) Co., Limited, Kerry Logistics Network Ltd, Lan Kwai Fong Group, Shangri-La International Hotel Management Ltd, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited.

     Local institutions participating in the internship programme include City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Lingnan University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Education University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The University of Hong Kong, and the Vocational Training Council.

 

"Operation Zhang Qian 2018" Video

https://youtu.be/SF31VuhdlRM

"Operation Zhang Qian 2018 Video Contest" Trailer

https://youtu.be/S5EuRi027FE

 

Photo Captions:

1. Mrs Regina Ip delivering her remarks at the kick-off ceremony.

2. Ms Li Haixia delivering her remarks at the kick-off ceremony.

3. Ms Eunice Yung delivering her remarks at the kick-off ceremony.

4. Mr Roland Wong delivering his remarks at the kick-off ceremony.

5. A group photo of representatives of MSRS and host organizations taken at the kick-off ceremony.

6. A group photo of representatives of MSRS and participating institutions taken at the kick-off ceremony.

7. A group photo of representatives of MSRS taken with intern students at the kick-off ceremony.