Institute of Philanthropy sponsors “Palace Museum Dreamscapes” Charity Summer Camp 2026, connecting over 100 young people with China’s cultural heritage

For many young people, the Palace Museum is an iconic destination where China’s rich history and cultural heritage come to life. Through the “Palace Museum Dreamscapes” Charity Summer Camp 2026, 138 students and teachers from across the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao will have the opportunity to experience this cultural treasure first-hand, stepping inside one of the world’s most significant heritage sites and engaging directly with its architecture, history, and treasured cultural relics.

Over 100 students joined the “Palace Museum Dreamscapes” Charity Summer Camp 2026. (Photo credit: The Palace Museum)

Jointly organised by the Palace Museum and The Forbidden City Cultural Heritage Conservation Foundation and exclusively funded by the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP), the six-day summer camp officially commenced today in Beijing. The programme brings together young people from different regions of China, including 49 primary and secondary school students from Hong Kong, creating opportunities for cultural learning, exchange, and friendship while deepening their understanding of the nation’s history and cultural legacy.

Through guided tours of the Palace Museum, cultural learning activities, and exchange sessions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural significance of the museum and its collections. The programme will also take students to the exhibition “Galloping Through Time: Digital Reimagination of Horse Art and Culture” , as well as some of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks, including the Tiananmen Square flag-raising ceremony, the Badaling Great Wall, Peking University, the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest), and the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube). Through cultural relic appreciation, historical storytelling, traditional craft workshops and immersive site visits, students will experience first-hand the richness of traditional Chinese culture.

The camp is a key initiative under the five-year collaboration between IoP and the Palace Museum and marks the third consecutive year of IoP’s exclusive sponsorship. Since 2024, it has benefited more than 350 students and teachers, helping nurture future ambassadors of Chinese culture while strengthening cross-regional exchange and national identity among youth from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao. The programme also supports Hong Kong’s development as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

Reflecting on their experience at last year’s camp, one student shared how this first- hand exploration transformed their understanding of Chinese history: “I used to only see the Palace Museum on television but seeing it with my own eyes made me incredibly excited and happy. This journey has sparked a much deeper interest in traditional culture. When I return home, I will continue learning and share these stories with the people around me.”

Students from Hong Kong perform with their teacher at the launch ceremony. (Photo credit: The Palace Museum)

A launch ceremony for this year’s camp was held today at the Palace Museum. Officiating guests included Ann Kung, IoP Deputy Chairman and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, and Zhu Hongwen, Deputy Director of the Palace Museum.

Ann Kung, IoP Deputy Chairman and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, delivers remarks at the launch ceremony. (Photo credit: The Palace Museum)

Zhu Hongwen, Deputy Director of the Palace Museum, said promoting China’s outstanding traditional culture and helping young people promoting China’s outstanding traditional culture and helping young people appreciate the richness of Chinese culture is a key responsibility of the Palace Museum. She noted that the “Palace Museum Dreamscapes” programme has, since 2011, helped young people from across the country visit, understand and connect with the Palace Museum. Zhu added that this year’s summer camp features immersive experiences that combine exploration of the museum’s historic architecture and cultural treasures with cultural learning activities that bring history and traditional craftsmanship to life. She said the Palace Museum would continue to provide a platform for young people to explore history, experience culture and exchange ideas, helping them deepen their understanding of China’s cultural heritage.

Ann Kung, IoP Deputy Chairman and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, said that IoP was honoured to exclusively sponsor the summer camp for the third consecutive year. She encouraged the students to cherish this rare opportunity to broaden their horizons and forge lasting friendships. Kung hoped that the experience would inspire them to continue exploring, learning, and growing, and to become future custodians and advocates of traditional Chinese culture.

Ann Kung, IoP Deputy Chairman and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (1st left), and Dylan Lu, IoP Chief Mainland Representative (1st right), with participating students. (Photo credit: The Palace Museum)

Consumer Price Indices for June 2026

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (July 21) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for June 2026. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 2.0% in June 2026 over the same month a year earlier, the same as that in May 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in June 2026 was 1.9%, also the same as that in May 2026.

The Census and Statistics Department, Photo source: reference image

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period ending June 2026 was 0.1%, the same as that for the 3-month period ending May 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of increase were 0.2% and 0.3%.

Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.8%, 2.1% and 2.2% respectively in June 2026, all the same as those in May 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.1% respectively in June 2026, also all the same as those in May 2026.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period ending June 2026, the average monthly rates of change in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.0%, 0.1% and 0.1% respectively. The corresponding rates of change for the 3-month period ending May 2026 were 0.0%, 0.2% and 0.2% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the average monthly rates of change in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period ending June 2026 were all 0.2%, and the corresponding rates of change for the 3-month period ending May 2026 were 0.3%, 0.3% and 0.2% respectively.

Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in June 2026 for electricity, gas and water (9.2%), transport (5.3%), miscellaneous services (5.2%), miscellaneous goods (2.3%), housing (1.1%), meals out and takeaway food (0.8%), clothing and footwear (0.7%), and alcoholic drinks and tobacco (0.1%).

On the other hand, year-on-year decreases in the components of the Composite CPI were recorded in June 2026 for durable goods (-1.1%), and basic food (-0.5%).

For the first half of 2026 as a whole, the Composite CPI rose by 1.7% over the same period a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.6%, 1.8% and 1.8% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.6%, 1.3%, 1.7% and 1.7% respectively.

In the second quarter of 2026, the Composite CPI rose by 1.9% over the same period a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 1.7%, 2.0% and 2.0% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.7%, 1.5%, 1.9% and 2.0% respectively.

For the 12 months ending June 2026, the Composite CPI on average rose by 1.5% over the same period a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.5%, 1.4% and 1.4% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.3%, 1.2%, 1.3% and 1.4% respectively.

Photo source: reference image

Commentary

A Government spokesman said that the underlying Composite CPI rose by 1.9% in June over a year earlier, same as the preceding month. Increases in prices of fuel-related items continued to accelerate, while relatively modest price pressures in other components partly offset the overall rise.

Looking ahead, consumer price inflation is expected to rise in the coming months as the earlier surges in international oil prices continue to feed through. The recent moderation in international oil prices from previous peaks may provide some relief; however, the renewed escalation of tensions in the Middle East warrants close monitoring. Meanwhile, price pressures in other areas remain largely contained, which should keep overall inflation at a moderate level.

Further information

The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for June 2026 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest 3 months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.

More detailed statistics are given in the "Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index". Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1060001&scode=270).

For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk).

Photo source: reference image