Speaking at a forum, Professor Lau Siu-kai, former head of the Central Policy Unit (CPU), called upon Hong Kong to seek a bigger role in the country's "One Belt, One Road" strategy. He also urged young people in the city to broaden their horizons by abandoning localist outlook and preparing themselves for a more promising future.

As President Xi Jinping pointed out, with the economic belts of the new Silk Routes comprising a combined population of around 3 billion people, the market scale and development potential are huge. This is especially true from Hong Kong's perspective. Over the past few hundred years, Hong Kong has acted as a bridge between the West and the East. Its geographical location and proximity to the mainland gives it significant advantages in developing trade, shipping and cultural links with other vibrant coastal cities.

Nowadays, Hong Kong - dubbed "Asia's world city" - has been home to numerous international organizations. It serves as regional headquarters for thousands of multi-national conglomerates. Hong Kong obviously has much to offer in implementing the country's grand strategy. Its role as a go-between can only be enhanced if it can capitalize on its strengths, namely, its status as a global financial hub, the rule of law, and corporate management expertise.

Riding on the back of the motherland's rapid development, Hong Kong could venture into new emerging economies with enormous untapped resources. It could extend its reach along a new "maritime Silk Road". In particular, Hong Kong can team up with the ASEAN countries to exploit commercial opportunities for mutual benefits.

Younger people in Hong Kong often bemoan their lack of upward mobility. It is time for them to see a bigger picture by thinking outside the tiny "Hong Kong box" and getting a better understanding of their country.

It is equally important for young people to change their mindset: Admiring the West while neglecting or even looking down on Asia. They need to rethink their career paths by looking eastward. Hong Kong is no longer the admirable economic miracle it was in the 1980s, when "the Pearl of the Orient" surprised the world by tripling its per capita GDP in just over a decade. Faced with the daunting challenges of a slowing economy, aging population and a high cost of living, Hong Kong, with its resilience, "can-do" spirit and tradition of innovation, can find a way out.

The SAR government should treat "One Belt, One Road" as a rare opportunity, and chart its own medium- and long-term "Asia strategy" accordingly. Addressing the frustrations of a youth culture full of social and personal problems should be part of this blueprint.

(HK Edition 03/25/2015 page10)