Forty-five Hong Kong secondary school students left here Monday for Beijing to attend the Third Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Youth Science Festival, which will be held from Aug. 3 to 9.

The 45 students are members of 12 winning teams in the Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition 2004, organized by the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Education and Manpower Bureau and The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups this year.

They are sponsored to participate in the festival to broaden their perspective on science. They are accompanied by 14 teachers from their schools.

The festival aims to arouse interest in science and technology among youth and to promote exchange and interaction among students and science teachers. The theme of this year's festival is "Science, Youth and Future". Around 1,000 students and teachers from 21 APEC economies will participate in the festival.

Members of the Hong Kong student delegation will share their experience and knowledge of science and technology with their counterparts from other APEC economies.

Apart from exhibiting their winning projects at a major science and technology exhibition, they will attend a series of science and technology programs including discussion forums, and visits to universities, museums and scientific research and development centers in Beijing.

Cultural and social events such as student performances and visits to local heritage sites will also be held to promote cultural exchange among students.

To better equip the students for the festival, a series of pre-tour training sessions and visits to Hong Kong's science and technology institutes were arranged last month with a view to enhancing the students' understanding of science and technology development in Hong Kong, as well as sharpening their social and presentation skills.

Source: Xinhua