That came in a first-time survey by the Young Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong of the attitudes and beliefs of 465 people aged 18 to 35 on the internet from June 24 to August 8 as part of its "Understanding the Motherland, Integrating into the Greater Bay Area" study.

It found that 29.9 percent of the respondents did not identify themselves as Chinese, 64.2 percent did and the remaining were undecided.

Based on the findings, the group said authorities should enhance national identity.

Speaking on a panel today, Young DAB vice-chairman Nicholas Muk Ka-chun identified education as the main reason for this: "If you've looked at the Education Bureau's website in the 25 years since the handover, you would have noticed that the word 'patriot' does not exist."

Regarding recent developments in China, 36.7 percent said China's publicity efforts were insufficient, while 40 percent said they were sufficient.

A vast majority - 88 percent - said they have not set foot on the mainland since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

In terms of opportunities in the Greater Bay Area, 41.6 percent said the chances for entrepreneurship are its most attractive feature for Hong Kong youths, while 38.9 percent think the opportunity to buy a home there is more inviting.

Young DAB raised a number of proposals with the government, including setting up health stations in Hong Kong to make visiting the mainland more convenient, as well as improvements to communication and flow within the GBA.

The chairman of Young DAB, Noel Shih Wing-tai, hoped that the SAR administration's roadmap for patriotic youth development will make recommendations based on the opinions of youths.

"I hope that the government's 'Blueprint for Hong Kong Youth Development,' which will be released soon, can cultivate a love of the country and Hong Kong among the youths of Hong Kong - a new generation with an international vision and positive thinking," he said.