Cathay Pacific Airways and the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups announced Tuesday the launching of an educational exchange program for young people in Beijing and Hong Kong.

Thirty Hong Kong young people from low-income families will head for Beijing on a week-long trip on April 13. Another 30 students from Beijing will visit Hong Kong in July. All of students are charged free for attending the program.

The theme for this year's exchange program is "Aviation and Aerospace Technology". The Hong Kong students will visit Beijing’s aerospace and aviation faculties, join in discussion sessions with aerospace scientists. They will also visit local schools and youth center to meet other young people in Beijing.

Beijing students to Hong Kong will visit Cathay Pacific headquarters and other aviation facilities.

The "Cathay Pacific Airways Beijing-Hong Kong program" helps outstanding young people from low-income families take part in exchange program abroad, the organizers said.

The first group of Hong Kong students, 13 to 17 years old, were selected with the help of recommendations from school principals, teachers and social workers. More than 800 Hong Kong students had applied for the program.

Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said, "Cathay Pacific resumed services to Beijing last December and we are delighted to support students who might not otherwise have the chance to take part in an exchange program.

Executive Director of the Hong Kong Federation of Young Groups Rosanna Wong said "as an organization that serve Hong Kong's young people, her federation is keen to see young people from different backgrounds get the opportunity to learn through this exchange program.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2004)