Hong Kong Chief Secretary Carrie Lam speaks at the Boao Youth Forum in Hong Kong, on May 21, 2015. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

The two-day Boao Youth Forum for Asia has been held in Hong Kong. The event is an in-depth exploration of various issues affecting young people, focusing on innovative solutions.

Under the theme of "Asia in Restructuring: Vision and Action of Youth", young people from all walks of life have discussed a wide range of topics including education, science and technology, and entrepreneurship.

Boao Forum Secretary General Zhou Wenzhong says innovative young people are badly needed in the new era.

"As the second largest economy in the world, China has entered into the "New Normal," which not only refers to a lower growth rate, but also a change in mind. Young people are full of innovation because they are good at breaking stereotypes and coming up with original ideas. So I hope they can become the main force and booster of Asia's future."

As young people in Hong Kong are struggling to find ways to excel, head of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Office in Hong Kong Zhang Xiaoming hopes they can be open-minded and grasp opportunities to make progress in the city's political reform."It is the common aspiration of the Central government, the Hong Kong government, and the public to realize universal suffrage in 2017. It is a big step forward in Hong Kong's democratization process, as well as an innovative practice of the 'One Country, Two Systems' policy. It will have a profound impact on young people and the generations to come. So from the overall and long-term point of view, we should follow the mainstream public opinion and make it happen in 2017. "

Kelvin Fang is the Vice President of a mercantile exchange in Jiangsu Province. His company has participated in the Boao forum in Hainan several times, but this is the first time for him to attend a Youth forum in Hong Kong.

"We have discussed Internet innovation, which is a fast developing field in China. Our company is young and relies on E-commerce, so I am hoping to communicate with peers from other cities and countries and learn from them. This forum also provides a platform for my company to go global. "

The annual Boao Forum has convened each April in Hainan Province since 2002, where government, business, and intellectual elites gather to discuss Asia's economic development and integration.

The Youth Forum in Hong Kong is the first branch of the Boao Forum for the young people to exchange ideas and share knowledge. Established in 2009, it has become one of Asia's most influential forums.