Youth military camp benefits HK's future: Stephen Chow
Dara Wang and Carrie Qiu in Hong Kong
Hong Kong would have a better future if more young people took part in the summer camp organized by the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, world-renowned comedian and director Stephen Chow Sing-chi said.
Comedian shares thoughts with and encourages trainees during two-week summer camp
Hong Kong would have a better future if more young people took part in the summer camp organized by the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, world-renowned comedian and director Stephen Chow Sing-chi said.
"I would like to thank those (young people) for spending their summer in the camp as the training in the camp is painstaking. It is rare that they are willing to spend time to experience hardship in the camp rather than playing around," Chow said in an exclusive interview with China Daily.
The Military Summer Camp for Hong Kong Youth opened at the San Wai Barracks on July 16. This year about 500 students from 126 highschools in Hong Kong joined the camp.
More than 3,200 teenagers from Hong Kong have joined the annual summer camp, which began in 2005.
During the two-week camp participants receive training whichthey could not pick up elsewhere, including military physical training, formation drill, basic combat readiness training and map reading.
On a visit to the garrison,his third, Chow had a close talk with the students.
Hesaid the PLA Hong Kong Garrisoncomprises highlydisciplined and powerful troops,committed to protecting the people and the country.
He hoped more and more Hong Kong students can join the camp to exercise their bodies and train themselves in self-discipline.
In one and a half hours' candid sharing with the young people, Chow encouraged the youth to realize their dreams despite difficulties.
Student Cheung Ping, 18, told Chow that the camp training, such as military posture and military boxing, made him experience the kind of perseverance soldiers acquired.
Cheung, who is proud of having the opportunity to be trained in the camp, said he can feel the power of unity when he marched toward the national flag podium as a team.
Cheung said he would like to join the army and safeguard the motherland in future. Chow encouraged Cheung to pursue his dream and grow into a real man.
Cheng Yuen-yee, 15, said the camp changed her views of soldiers. She thought soldiers were serious all the time, living a monotonous life. Coming to the camp, she found that the leisure life of soldiers was as colorful as normal people's. They played games, sang songs and stayed tuned with news updates. They are lovely people, Cheng said.
Cheng, who formed a close bond with her trainers, said things she learnt atthis camp would benefit her for the rest of herlife.
