Jaime Sze

Shi Rongxin, as the founding chairman of the Bairen Foundation, spearheaded the foundation’s preparations, which lasted more than a year. During the preparatory phase, the foundation attracted broad attention in both Hong Kong society and Chinese communities, and most of its members formed the Elite Alumni Association. On January 31, 2008, the Bairen Foundation was formally established in Hong Kong. The media discussed the political attributes of its founding, with reports focusing on whether the foundation would become a political platform. Li Jiajie, the founding chairman, responded publicly that the foundation would not become a tool for winning votes, emphasizing a charity-centered approach and non-participation in elections. At the same time, Li Gang, deputy director of the Liaison Office, attended the inaugural ceremony and gave a speech, stating that Beijing hoped to cultivate “patriotic and Hong Kong-loving youth leaders” to prudently advance future political discourse rights in Hong Kong.

Shi Rongxin said that in its early stages the foundation would focus on charity, stressing that he did not want to give the impression of “entering and immediately having to participate in politics,” and noted that after some time questions such as whether to participate politically, by-laws amendments, and direction adjustments could all be decided through discussion. The foundation’s charitable outset reflects Hong Kong’s current generation seeking to break away from the halo of their elders and achieve personal fulfillment. At the inaugural ceremony, no elders were invited to attend; only one father attended.

In July 2015, the All-China Youth Federation, a global organization, held its 12th plenary session in Beijing, and Shi Rongxin was elected vice chairman of the 12th All-China Youth Federation. As an active figure in youth organizations, Shi Rongxin and Li Jiajie, among others, also co-founded the “Starlight Shines” Charity Club, which is listed as one of their major achievements.