Sponsored by the Financial Youth Association (FIN SOCIETY), the Launch Ceremony of the Financial Youth Association 2026 Summer Internship Cohort and the Inauguration Ceremony of the Third-Term Chairman of the Hong Kong Financial Youth Association were successfully held in Hong Kong. Members of the Association’s Council, along with guests from Chinese financial institutions, PE/VC funds, large industrial groups, family offices, professional services firms, and other organizations, gathered at the venue to witness the official launch of the 2026 Beijing internship program alongside the internship cohort members.

Passing the Torch – The Third-Term Chairman Formally Assumes Office

At the opening of the ceremony, founder Mr. Zhang Yongkang took the stage to deliver a speech, reviewing the Association’s more than a decade of dedication to nurturing Hong Kong’s young financial talent. He traced the internship program’s journey from its initial inception to its current scale, and expressed high expectations for the new Chairman and all the young interns. In 2023, the Association appointed Mr. Yu Jiahong as its second-term Chairman to continue the development of its affairs. Subsequently, a formal handover ceremony for the Chairmanship took place at the event. In the presence of all attendees, Mr. Cai Dameng was officially installed as the third-term Chairman of the Hong Kong Financial Youth Association.

Address by the Third-Term Chairman, Mr. Cai Dameng

Drawing on his own first business trip to Beijing, Mr. Cai encouraged the students to treasure the internship opportunities at top-tier institutions and to make good use of the long-term industry resources that the Financial Youth Association has accumulated through internships and a series of exchange activities. He noted that this is the key for young people to break through career barriers and achieve rapid growth. Finally, he expressed his sincere gratitude to all participants in this internship program and encouraged them to seize the opportunity for hands-on training in Beijing. He urged them to leverage the program platform to enhance their practical skills and broaden their industry horizons, and to actively embrace the nation’s strong development momentum in the financial and technology sectors.

Alumni Share Experience, New Interns Voice Aspirations – A Dialogue Between Two Generations of Financial Youth

Sharing by Richard, Former Cohort Leader

As an outstanding representative of past participants, Richard shared his internship experience and key takeaways based on his personal career development. During his internship, he gained an understanding of how central policies and directives are implemented on the ground. He also recognized the long-term value of the “network” fostered by the Financial Youth Association program—having been built over more than a decade, the industry connections among former cohort members have now evolved into important partnerships, giving him deep insight into the enduring benefits of the Association’s network.

Speech by Matthew, Representative of the Presidium

Speaking on behalf of all interns, Matthew expressed his aspiration to go beyond textbook learning. Through the internship, he hopes to transform classroom financial knowledge into practical capabilities, gain a firsthand understanding of the operational logic of leading domestic financial enterprises, and experience the differences between mainland and Hong Kong workplace cultures and working styles—truly achieving the integration of learning and application.

Icebreaking Activities – Gearing Up for the Journey Ahead

Following the ceremony, an alumni sharing salon and team-building activities for the cohort were held on-site, alongside a self-nomination and selection process for the internship cohort leader and deputy leaders. Through these exchanges, the participants built rapport and strengthened their teamwork, fully preparing themselves for the eight-week internship program in Beijing, which is set to commence on June 27.

Looking ahead, the Hong Kong Financial Youth Association will continue to optimize the “Financial Youth Association” internship program and mentorship scheme, consistently integrate high-quality industry resources, build a regular exchange platform for young financial professionals from both sides of the strait, and steadily cultivate a new generation of versatile financial talents who are well-versed in the markets of both Hong Kong and the mainland.

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