Since the day on which Hong Kong returned to the motherland, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University has been the only university in Hong Kong to raise the national flag every day, and the university has made the Chinese language a compulsory subject. In the past ten years, the university has been working to help the younger generation to form a sense of national identity and responsibility.

"We promote and encourage young people to have a sense of responsibility, for their own families, for the whole society and for the country. We are nurtured by the country, influenced by the things around us. So, we need to pay something back. We need to show some social responsibility. It's very important and it needs to be done gradually," said Prof. Poon Chung-Kwong, President of Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

"There is a saying in Chinese, "You can enjoy a more magnificent sight by climbing to a greater height." That's exactly what I felt at the time. By that I mean that if we have a higher point of reference, we will be able to gain a broader perspective. So, as a leader for tomorrow, this is an important condition," said Hong Kong "New Generation" Shanghai Delegation.

At the start of a new year, another group from Hong Kong New Generation meets in Shanghai, and they soon find they have new discoveries to share.

"Living in Hong Kong… you get use to it…so you care about your personal gains and losses…I I don't think that's good.I think it must be quite cool growing up in Hong Kong. Your parents arrange everything for you – your school, how you get there, and so on. I think we can say we have a deeper understanding of the notion of country. Not just reading about it in the newspapers in Hong Kong, or hearing it on the radio, or through TV. The so-called visitors, or guest speakers, they can say whatever they want to," said Hong Kong "New Generation" Shanghai Delegation.

"In fact, Shanghai isn't comparing itself with Hong Kong.The city has always had an international outlook. That's why it's a window on China. But we tend to compare Hong Kong with Shanghai all the time, when we really should be thinking about how to make things better in Hong Kong," said Hong Kong "New Generation" Shanghai Delegation.

Here and now: this is how the new generation of Hong Kong youngsters expresses their more sophisticated feelings about and love for Hong Kong, and for the country.

"Naturally, for the good of Hong Kong we wish to see more young people -people who love Hong Kong as well as the country -shouldering some responsibilities in Hong Kong.They can join the government," said Henry Tang, Fiancial Secretary, Hong Kong SAR Government .

It's now day four of the Chinese New Year – the day people return to work after the holidays.