A flag-raising ceremony is held on June 28, 2023 at Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui to mark the 26th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will study the provisions of a national draft law on patriotic education and various policy bureaus will make plans accordingly to align with the national effort to enhance patriotic education, said Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen on Wednesday.

A draft law on patriotic education sets out requirements for enhancing national identities of the people in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Taiwan, boosting their national pride and recognition of Chinese culture, and safeguarding the unity of the nation

Speaking on the sidelines of a flag-raising ceremony at Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre, Mak said patriotic education is a mainstream value that is in line with the principle of "one country, two systems". The bureau and other sectors have been working together to cultivate a new generation of young people who love the country and the city, possess positive thinking, and have an international perspective.

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Mak said she hopes that young people can deepen their understanding of national development and contribute to and serve the country.

On Monday, a draft law on patriotic education was submitted to the third session of 14th National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) for its first reading. The proposed law also sets out requirements for enhancing national identities of the people in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Taiwan, boosting their national pride and recognition of Chinese culture, and safeguarding the unity of the nation. 

In an online media briefing, Starry Lee Wai-king, Hong Kong deputy to the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), the country’s top legislature, who is in Beijing for the third session of the NPCSC, said there is already a foundation for patriotic education within Hong Kong's education system.

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She proposed that Hong Kong universities could consider sending students to study or intern at their Greater Bay Area campuses for a semester during their four-year undergraduate program, allowing them to experience the latest developments of the country.

Lee also believes that Hong Kong society needs to have a better understanding of the country's situation, history, and system of development.

She added that promoting patriotic education in Hong Kong is only natural and necessary, and she believes that the government will coordinate various departments to systematically promote patriotic education.