Meet the handover generation, born in 1997. Their childhoods tell the stories of Hong Kong’s first two decades after the return to China. Some remember Sars, others took part in Occupy. Now, they’re trying to work out what the future holds – for themselves and the city.

Bosco Li juggles five jobs while studying in mainland China. He’s independent, but often feels like a foreigner in his own home – he no longer gets his mates’ jokes or cares about TVB dramas.

Michael Chiu took part in the Occupy protests, but now feels only independence can protect Hong Kong's culture. He loves the Cantonese language and fears using Mandarin in schools may dilute it.

Karen Yu moved to Hong Kong from mainland China when she was eight and remembers “terrible” times. She is appalled by the city's wealth divide and volunteers to help those less fortunate. Despite it all, she remains positive.

Jackie Leung was introduced to Cantonese opera as a toddler. She loves the leaky theatres that smell of incense, and wants to be a professional opera singer, even if her friends think it’s a “bit weird”.

Jordan Lee grew up in an indigenous Hakka village. He spoke more Cantonese than English until his British expat parents sent him to an international school, making him keenly aware of Hong Kong’s different worlds.

Tsui Wai spends 13 hours a day practising his cooking and dreams of becoming a master chef in Cantonese cuisine. He believes Hongkongers appreciate a job well done and says the local flavours will never lose their appeal.

Erica Chin thinks Hong Kong was split into "blue ribbons and yellow ribbons" after Occupy and will become more polarised. However, she says the political drama has equipped her generation with critical thinking skills.

Wong Ching-tak is the student union president at the University of Hong Kong. He has to walk a political tightrope when tackling current issues and selecting members, but he says he’s never thought of leaving the city.

As a humanities student, Christie Wong feels that she may develop better in Britain, away from Hong Kong’s money-driven environment. “Here, everything is about efficiency and this shapes the very pressurised environment,” she says.

Janice Wong avoids political debate with her pro-China relatives, including her father who called the pro-democracy students "ungrateful". She’s noticed how much more crowded Hong Kong is but is not fearful for its future.

Simon Tam feels that, despite being an international city, Hong Kong lags behind on issues such as gender diversity. When 2047 comes, despite being 50, he says he will take to the streets if he sees bad things happening.

Rabina Rai was born in Hong Kong and used to translate Cantonese for her Nepali mother, but feels she will never be truly accepted in the city. She is fearful of the future if the internet becomes restricted.

May Cen came to Hong Kong after finishing high school in Guangdong. She finds the city fast-paced and Hongkongers well mannered, and wants to settle down here. Her only complaint is how small her flat is.

Law Chun-wan started taking drugs at 11, dealing for the triads at 12 and was convicted of trafficking cocaine at 14. After being sent to a school focused on rehabilitation, he hopes to find a career in music therapy.

Born in Hong Kong, Filipino Roquel Jazztine Marie thinks the city will prosper, but also that freedom of speech is at risk. She often encounters rudeness from the older generation, but her Cantonese has helped her find acceptance.

Chung Yick got one of the highest scores in Hong Kong’s Diploma of Secondary Education, but believes he was just lucky and that the education system should do more to encourage critical thinking.

Carmen Cheung runs an online gift shop and says Hong Kong’s connection with China has brought her a bigger market. Even without the handover, she believes the city would still have problems.

Porsche Kong grew up in Sham Shui Po and goes back to the area regularly. He believes Hong Kong will face social unrest if the government doesn’t respond to public opinions.

Harrison Chu gave up on his dream of playing soccer to return to his textbooks. He thinks the pressure to get a degree forces young Hongkongers to spend too much time studying.

Derek Kwong wonders whether Beijing’s plan is to dilute Hong Kong with mainlanders and says the increasing number of students has created keener competition for higher education and jobs.