New high-level working group on patriotism in Hong Kong may adopt innovative approach

‘We want the new generation to really appreciate our Chinese culture, our Chinese history and also the contemporary developments of our country,’ city leader says

Group, first announced in 2023 policy address, was established in line with patriotic education law passed by top legislative body last year

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A flag-raising ceremony at a Kwai Fong school. The city’s leader has said he will be focusing on quality of patriotic education and not just quantity. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 8:30am, 10 Apr 2024

A high-level working group newly set up by the Hong Kong government in conformity with a national patriotic education law is expected to enhance pride in the country among all residents by adopting a clear definition of its mission and an innovative approach, some members have told the Post.

They shared their vision on Tuesday as Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu set goals for the group to educate the city’s new generation to “really appreciate” Chinese history, culture and the nation’s recent developments.

The chief executive said he hoped the group members could be “leaders” rather than “workers” and convey their knowledge and passion to those the government wanted to educate.

“We want the new generation to really appreciate our Chinese culture, our Chinese history and also the contemporary developments of our country,” he said. “We also want to organise activities with different sectors for students and teachers.

“It will be important to look at quantity, but what I am after more will be the quality of the education, because after all, it is the passion and the love that we want to create and promote in the whole exercise.”

A flag-raising ceremony at a Kowloon Bay school. The Working Group on Patriotic Education would conduct regular reviews on group visits organised by schools to mainland China, one member said. Photo: Felix Wong

The government had said members of the Working Group on Patriotic Education would coordinate with different departments and social sectors, and focus efforts on four aspects: school education; local community; history, politics, economy and culture; and media publicity.