The view was reached among five student representatives from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan who are participating in a leadership training program organized by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

"I don't think the working place is very important. I would rather choose a job suitable for me and with great development potential," said Du Peng, a student from Peking University majoring in international studies.

"If in remote Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region there is a job I feel interested in, I will go. Many of my classmates and friends hold the same view," said Du, who just finished a four-year undergraduate program and will further his studies in communications.

The mobility of the jobs also will not allow them to emphasize the location of the work place, he added.

The company may ask them to take an intern in Malaysia, then work in Hong Kong for some time, and finally settle in a mainland city - depending on the need, according to Du.

His view was echoed by two Hong Kong student representatives, Chan Yiu-wing and Mak Man Kuen of CUHK.

"We don't mind working on the mainland if there are good jobs for us," said Chan.

Liu Huai-ping from Taiwan University said many of their classmates have realized the limitations of Taiwan and begun studying mainland markets, hoping to catch the rising opportunities there.

Although from different places and backgrounds, the young students have been friends after 10 days staying together. They found mainland students are eager to do best in everything, while Hong Kong students are good communicators and act as hospitable hosts.

(China Daily HK Edition July 27, 2002)