Hong Kong’s fifth youth hostel converted from a hotel is open for applications; residents are expected to participate in 200 hours of activities per year, including a possible visit to the headquarters of the People’s Liberation Army in the city.

Operator Yan Oi Tong, a well-known charity organization in the city, said on Monday that residents of the youth hostel at the Regal Oriental Hotel in Kowloon City will be free to sign up for events organized under different themes such as conservation, national education and community services.

“We will definitely hold activities with national educational elements,” said Henry Cheng Wai-hong, chairman of Yan Oi Tong’s board of directors.

“We cannot control who participates or is free to participate, but we encourage them to participate in more of these activities.”

He added that the NGO continues to complete missions for residents, who are still limited to 160 people, but can also apply for exchange activities in the Greater Bay Area.

The bay area is Beijing’s attempt to transform Hong Kong, Macau and nine mainland Guangdong cities into an economic powerhouse.

Other activities also include volunteer services, and Cheng stressed that the operator will explore arranging for residents to take part in future trial runs at Kai Tak Sports Park.