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)

Speech by DSJ at forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan"

Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at a forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan" organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association today (August 7):

Dr Phyllis Kwong (President of the Asia Pacific Law Association), Consul General Mr Dosmanbetov (Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hong Kong, Mr Bauyrzhan Dosmanbetov), (Deputy Secretary-General of the China Overseas Development Association, Ms Liu Jianqing), distinguished speakers, guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join today's forum organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association.

In June, I had the privilege of joining a highly fruitful delegation led by the Chief Executive to Kazakhstan in my capacity as the Deputy Secretary for Justice as well as the Chairman of the Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global.

That visit reinforced a clear message: Hong Kong is a natural and indispensable partner not only for Kazakhstan's development, but also for Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking to expand into Kazakhstan and beyond. I would like to share some of my observations.

Opportunities in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia, sits at the strategic crossroads of Europe and Asia. Its economy momentum is remarkable - with growth of 6.5 per cent in 2025 and projected to hold steady at 4.8 per cent in 2026. As a global heavyweight in energy fuels and critical minerals, and a vital node of the Belt and Road Initiative, Kazakhstan is not just opening its markets, but undergoing profound economic transformation.

Its young and tech-savvy population is driving unprecedented demand for digital services, modern infrastructure, and sophisticated financial products. This creates a fertile ground for partnership.

I am certain that the Consul General will share more on Kazakhstan's latest development in a minute.

Hong Kong's Unique "Hub-to-Hub" Role

Let me now focus on how Hong Kong serves as the ideal "hub" to connect with Kazakhstan's growing "hub" - a "hub-to-hub" collaboration as remarked by the Chief Executive in our recent visit.

Under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong is more than a gateway. We are the active catalyst.

Hong Kong as the Premier Financial Hub

First, let's consider our financial market. In the first quarter of 2026, our stock market ranked first globally in IPO (initial public offering) funds raised. This liquidity is matched by a deep and robust bond market, evidenced by the Development Bank of Kazakhstan's issuance of Renminbi "dim sum" bonds in Hong Kong.

We serve as a deal-making bridge connecting Kazakh capital with high-growth Mainland sectors. This is essential for pre-IPO financing through which Chinese businesses' capital base would be diversified while enriching Kazakh financial industry's investment portfolio.

On capital market listings, we facilitate dual access. Last year, we welcomed the first simultaneous dual listing on the Hong Kong and Astana exchanges of a Mainland mining firm. By tapping into investor bases simultaneously, the company was able to raise more funds than it could have through a single listing.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's national railway company wholly-owned by its sovereign wealth fund has recently submitted its listing application to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. This showcases how Hong Kong also acts as the premier gateway for Kazakh state-owned enterprises seeking international expansion and funding.

The Common Law Advantage

Behind every successful transaction lies a solid legal foundation. The Astana International Financial Centre in Kazakhstan has established a special jurisdiction operating under common law principles. This mutual legal grounding in common law gives Hong Kong a distinctive edge in safeguarding cross-border transactions with predictability.

First, on investment infrastructure. Complex and multi-jurisdictional Belt and Road projects require sophisticated legal engineering with expertise in cross-border regulatory landscape. Hong Kong lawyers, with rich experience and a wide network, navigate the intersection of common law, international regulations, and Chinese corporate governance to ensure the projects' sustainability.

Second, on dispute resolution. Hong Kong offers a regulatory framework that delivers the certainty and effectiveness for cross-border dispute resolution. We have established a comprehensive mutual legal assistance network with the Chinese Mainland, enabling distinctive advantages no other jurisdiction could match, including in mutual enforcement of civil and commercial judgments and interim measures for arbitral proceedings.

Our Judiciary is setting up the Hong Kong International Commercial Court (HKICC), a specialist division of the High Court, to adjudicate complex, high-value international and cross-border commercial disputes. The HKICC, together with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and the International Organization for Mediation headquartered in Hong Kong, will provide businesses with a comprehensive range of dispute resolution options.

Our Initiatives

Now that you have a clearer picture of how Hong Kong's world-leading financial market with quality professional services could assist businesses to seize Kazakh opportunities. The next question is: how to find your suitable advisors?

To strengthen the connection between enterprises and Hong Kong's professional services, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has launched several new initiatives.

We have been leading mission trips to the Chinese Mainland and beyond, directly linking Hong Kong's legal and other professionals with enterprises seeking to go global. These are not just networking events but matchmaking platforms for concrete business needs.

This April, the DoJ published the Panel List of Hong Kong Legal Service Providers Supporting "Go Global", detailing their practice areas, such as capital markets, taxation, etc, and the industries they have assisted.

We have also compiled two collections of success stories, showcasing the track record of Hong Kong's legal, accounting, financial and business consultancy services.

With these tools, businesses could appreciate in practical terms the value our professional services could create, backing their full business cycle.

Ladies and gentlemen, the distinctive advantages of Hong Kong's financial and legal infrastructures position us to play a pivotal role in supporting closer collaboration with Kazakhstan. I look forward to working together with you to build better partnerships among Chinese Mainland enterprises, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. I wish today's event a huge success. Thank you very much.

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, speaks at a forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan" organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association today (August 7). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases