Hong Kong will use a variety of “soft tactics”, including exhibitions, exchange activities and artistic performances, to enhance the public’s understanding of the country, the city’s chief secretary said on Monday.
The government’s Working Group on Patriotic Education, established on April 8, held its inaugural meeting on Monday morning to outline strategies to make the city’s patriotic education more impactful.
The group reached a consensus that patriotic education in Hong Kong should align with the Patriotic Education Law —passed by the National People’s Congress in October 2023 — and adopt measures appropriate to the city’s actual situation
Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki, who chairs the group’s parent body — the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee — told reporters after the meeting that the group intends to embrace a soft approach to evoke patriotic sentiments, especially among students.
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Chan said patriotism goes beyond memorizing relevant knowledge. “ ‘Getting to understanding’ is only the initial step. The ultimate goal is to enhance people’s identification with country, let them feel proud of the country, and then consciously love and protect the country,” he said.
The group agreed to adopt tailor-made soft tactics with different segments of society. For students, films, sports events and exhibitions of national aerospace technologies will be helpful for inspiring patriotic sentiment, Chan said.
The group reached a consensus that patriotic education in Hong Kong should align with the Patriotic Education Law —passed by the National People’s Congress in October 2023 — and adopt measures appropriate to the city’s actual situation.
The group also agreed at the meeting to integrate more diversified events into the patriotic education curriculum in primary and secondary schools to stimulate students’ interest, and to team up with patriotic forces in the community to create synergies.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China. Chan pointed out that the government will organize a variety of celebrations to enhance the public's sense of patriotism
The objective behind patriotic education is to integrate patriotism into Hong Kong’s core values, develop a patriotic spirit within Hong Kong society and encourage the public to consciously safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, Chan added.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China. Chan pointed out that the government will organize a variety of celebrations to enhance the public's sense of patriotism.
Lawmaker Starry Lee Wai-king, who also chairs the working group, said she believes that cultural activities are a “soft” and effective approach to promoting patriotic education, adding the city’s first Chinese Culture Festival, to be held from June to September, will be conducive to this.
READ MORE: HKSAR govt creates working group to promote patriotic education
The group also agreed that exchange activities — such as the events related to the visit of the national polar icebreaker Xue Long 2 in early April, museum exhibitions, commemorative ceremonies on national holidays, celebrations of traditional festivals, as well as mass media coverage — will help to promote patriotic education, said Lee.
She said that the group will set up four subunits to focus on school education; community promotion; Chinese history, politics, economy and culture; and media publicity.
Lee added that the group will proactively assist the government with incorporating patriotic elements into the upcoming National Day celebrations and will canvas advice on patriotic education from various sectors in society.
Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com
