QI Hui Matthew Wong

Ever since a young age, Qi Hui has avidly read and discussed news and current affairs with his family. Growing up, Qi Hui became increasingly concerned with inter and intra-societal polarisation. As a history student, Qi Hui witnessed with horror as US-China relations became increasingly protectionist and confrontational, fearing the disproportionate effects on those already socio-economically disadvantaged. Qi Hui was inspired in the China-US Exchange Forum by American mezzo-soprano Carla Canales, who explained how music and cultural diplomacy can bond people together, and by former Serbian President Boris Tadić, where he emphasised the importance of mutual understanding in diffusing conflicts in international relations. Qi Hui is also aware of the impact of social media as both a bridge builder and a source of division. Recent events, like the “TikTok Refugees” of RedNote show how social media can cut through polarising rhetoric and how people can find commonalities between one another. 

 

At school, Qi Hui is studying History Higher Level, Economics Standard Level, and Biology Higher Level under the International Baccalaureate. Qi Hui’s intellectual curiosity has led him to pursue super curricular lectures at Hong Kong University Academy for the Talent and the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education, as well as write a social sciences research paper on social mobility and education under Cambridge supervisors. Qi Hui has major leadership roles, chairing the school’s environmental council. Qi Hui also is involved with service work to help socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, such as by founding the Music For Good initiative to channel music for social justice. Furthermore, Qi Hui is also involved with Branches of Hope, educating young refugees and asylum seekers in Hong Kong, as well as being a key member of the Kiva Microfinance Club, helping raise funds for 633 loans to underprivileged people in 62 less economically developed countries. For his hobbies, Qi Hui enjoys playing the Erhu and classical voice, and also enjoys exploring nature, especially through scuba diving. 

 

Qi Hui is also greatly concerned by the rise of geopolitical confrontation and increasing armed-conflict, with 2023 being the year with the highest number of armed conflicts on record since the start of the Cold War in 1946. Qi Hui advocates for a peaceful world and hopes that through diplomacy work, all around the world will be afforded basic human rights and economic prosperity. This desire to strive for peace has greatly motivated him to pursue his studies in international relations and political sciences.

 

Looking ahead, Qi Hui aspires to further his understanding of socio-economic issues and geopolitics through higher education in top-class universities. Recognising that the scope of his current social work so far is limited, Qi Hui hopes to truly broaden his impact by working with like-minded youths across the globe, and hopes to work in government, or for non-governmental organisations dedicated to social justice in the future, in order to make a greater impact.