Patriotic education law to be promoted in Hong Kong, Macau

The Patriotic Education Law was adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, on Tuesday when it closed its latest session. The law will take effect on Jan 1.

Under the law, the nation is required to advance historical, cultural and “One country, two systems” education to enhance Hong Kong and Macau residents’ patriotic spirit and their sense of identity.

Policies of national reunification and relevant education will be provided for all Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots, to guarantee the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and oppose separatist activities for “Taiwan independence,” according to the law.

The law highlights patriotic education for youth and children, and makes stipulations regarding patriotic education for various groups of people, such as employees of government departments, enterprises and public institutions, residents of urban and rural areas, as well as compatriots from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese.

Starry Lee Wai-king, a Hong Kong member of the NPC Standing Committee, expressed her full support for the law, as cited in a report by China Daily.

Lee said the law, which proposes to enhance Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan compatriots’ affirmation of the nation and outstanding traditional Chinese culture, as well as strengthen their awareness of safeguarding national unity and ethnic solidarity, points the way for Hong Kong’s patriotic education and turns a new page in the city’s patriotism.

She hoped every sector in Hong Kong would learn and implement the spirit of the law and create an ideal environment for promoting patriotic education in the special administrative region, according to the report.

She also mentioned that the SAR government has rolled out many policies in regard to patriotic education.

Highlighting the significance of combining classroom teaching with practice, the law also directs schools to arrange for students to visit patriotic education sites and integrate the education into campus activities.

It emphasizes the utilization of cultural relics, museums, libraries and memorial halls in patriotic education, clarifying that patriotic education sites should enhance the content of their exhibitions, attracting government departments, enterprises, social organizations and citizens to visit.

It states that patriotic education needs to be carried out on important anniversaries and festivals through diverse ceremonies, such as raising the national flag, playing and singing the national anthem and swearing to abide by the Constitution. Staff Reporter