Macao has provided a variety of expansive platforms for its youth since the return to the motherland, enabling many to embark on their journeys from classrooms to the broader world, where they discover new avenues for their dreams.
Among them is Yang Sin Hang, a student at Tsinghua University's School of Aerospace Engineering, who has found her passion for technology in a supportive academic environment.
Yang's interest in technology ignited during her middle school years. In 2019, while studying at Macao's Hou Kong Middle School, she had the unique opportunity to present her and her classmates' innovative projects during a visit by President Xi Jinping.
"I always knew that Tsinghua is one of the best schools in our country, so I've always wanted to come here. It can also be said to be a dream destination. It's also a chance for me to explore beyond Macao and understand the broader landscape of our country," Yang said.
Currently pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering, Yang aspires to make her mark in the commercial space sector.
"I watch live broadcasts of rocket launches and feel an instant surge of excitement. Seeing them successfully enter orbit brings me immense joy, and I hope to learn more in this field," she shared.
In recent years, an increasing number of young people from Macao have chosen to study in mainland universities. The "Macao Student Home" in Beijing has become a hub for many of these students. For those like Yang who are keen to stay on the mainland, it serves as a resource for exploring job prospects.
"Some companies offer positions specifically for students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, even allowing them to take on mid-level and senior roles. I believe the future looks promising, and we are all quite hopeful," said Sun Jiawei, a student at the Renmin University of China.
"Beijing is a melting pot of people from across the nation and the world. Here, you can meet diverse individuals and gain insights into how the world operates, absorbing a wealth of different knowledge and perspectives," said Lin Qianyu, also a student at Renmin University.
Macao youths embrace opportunities in mainland for academic, career growth
Switzerland, known for its pristine lakes and rich tradition of fishing, is facing a significant challenge of plunging fish stocks that could threaten the livelihood of many in the fisheries industry.
In recent years, local fishermen have seen their catches decline drastically, with about 90 percent of the fish consumed in the country now being imported. This shift reflects broader environmental changes impacting Swiss fisheries, and the difficulties local fishermen are enduring are becoming more evident each year.
At seven in the morning, as the first light of dawn begins to break, a handful of fishermen at a dock in Geneva prepare to head out to the lake to check the nets they set the previous day. As the long nets were hauled from the water, the catch of perch was relatively small, but the fishermen were still satisfied, especially since they managed to net two large pike, which would fetch a good price.
Francois Liani, a fisherman of 30 years, said 2024 has been the worst year for fishing with the lowest amount of catch.
"I have never seen anything like this in over 30 years. That's right, 2024 is the worst year in the past 30 years," he said.
Fifty years ago, there were more than 800 professional fishermen in Switzerland. Today, that number has dropped to fewer than 90.
"There are many reasons, but one of the most important reasons is global warming -- it is one of the biggest problems. We have also new mussels that come from the Black Sea on the Eastern Europe that came about five, seven years ago. They have a large impact on the food availability for the fishes," said Maxime Prevedello, communication officer for the French-speaking region of the Swiss Fishing Federation (SFV).
As a result, the growth rate of fish has slowed significantly. In 2012, 2013, and 2014, a professional fisherman was able to catch around 1,000 tons of fish annually. Today, that number has dropped to just around 100 tons -- a mere one-tenth of what it used to be, according to Prevedello.
In the summer of 2024, Switzerland once again endured high temperatures. Native fish species such as perch, grayling, and the Alpine char, which have adapted to cold water, have been particularly affected. According to Switzerland's environmental authorities, 58 percent of the country's native fish species are now classified as endangered.
Swiss fishermen face growing struggle as local fish stocks plunge
