Patriotic education to push through 'whether bill passes or not'

Hong Kong will promote patriotic education whether or not a national bill is passed by the top legislature, says Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.

Hong Kong has done a lot to promote patriotic education and let youngsters have a better understanding of the country and national development, Lee said.

He added that he supports the legislation of the patriotic education bill as it will help Hongkongers develop patriotic values.

"The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress is reviewing the bill before making a decision ," Lee said.

"Whether or not the bill is passed, the Hong Kong government will match the central government's requirement on patriotic education."

Lee said it will be easy for the city to meet the requirements as various efforts to promote patriotism have already been implemented.

"Hong Kong has been doing a lot of work on patriotic education - including teaching Chinese history, safeguarding national security, the national security law and national policies," he said. "We have also pushed exchanges to let youngsters and students visit mainland cities. All we have done are in line with the patriotic education."

Lee said the bill proposes that people should be rational, inclusive and respect the history and culture of different countries.

"As an international city with openness and inclusiveness, what we are doing, including patriotic education and connection with overseas countries, is in line with the bill," he said.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's sole delegate to the NPCSC, Starry Lee Wai-king, said the bill will not be included in the Basic Law Annex III as a national law, but Hong Kong has the responsibility to promote patriotic education.

Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies consultant Lau Siu-kai, said the NPCSC included Hong Kong in the bill to highlight that the SAR is part of the nation.

"The central government wishes Hong Kong to promote patriotism together with the mainland so that the Chinese nation will be more united to cope with the increasingly severe international security situation," Lau said.

Scientia Secondary School principal Wong Ching-yung said the bill will allow schools to carry out patriotic education justifiably, as there are still many "noises" hindering schools.

While patriotic education is still in the initial stage, however, schools should focus more on the efficacy and quality of the education, he said.

Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers chairman Wong Kam-leung, who is also the principal of HKFEW Wong Cho Bau Secondary School, said many schools have already included Chinese traditional literature, culture and martial arts in the curriculum.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com

Editorial: Patriotic education, HK style