“Understanding [the country] is the first step, and the ultimate goal is to achieve emotional connection, genuine acknowledgement of the country, a sense of pride for the nation with a conscious effort to love and safeguard the country.
“A hard-selling approach is not the way to go.”
Chan said the new Working Group on Patriotic Education, led by him, had a mandate to “make loving the country and Hong Kong … a core value of the city”.
The group, comprising 12 government representatives and 13 non-official members, will coordinate with the different departments and social sectors on four areas: school education; local community; history, politics, economy and culture; and media publicity.
Chan said that since schools already included patriotic education in their curriculum, teachers could also spark students’ interest in the subject through a range of activities on campus.
He said he hoped authorities and schools could subtly introduce national history and achievements to students through films, cultural events and visits to aerospace facilities, among others.
Arranging for students to experience life on the other side of the border could also help them better understand the country, while representatives from different mainland provinces and cities could be invited to organise cultural activities or performances in Hong Kong, he added.
Hong Kong to set up ‘high-level patriotic education unit’ as national law passed
Hong Kong to set up ‘high-level patriotic education unit’ as national law passed
But Chan did not give a definite timetable to push forward the programmes.
He also rejected calls for the city to enact specific legislation on patriotic education, as the mainland had done.
Chan noted this year marked the country’s 75th anniversary, and the city government would launch the “Love the Country, Love Hong Kong, Love the Community” campaign to create an enthusiastic atmosphere for National Day on October 1 through a diverse range of activities.
The new working group was conceived last year when Beijing passed its patriotic education law, which came into effect on January 1.
The legislation laid down guiding principles, a leadership mechanism for patriotic education and the duties of departments involved.
Its scope also included provisions on patriotic education “for different groups such as compatriots in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan”.
When asked whether criticising the government was allowed, Chan said any well-intentioned feedback and constructive suggestions were welcomed.
Patriotism working group in Hong Kong may adopt innovative approach
Patriotism working group in Hong Kong may adopt innovative approach
Group convenor Starry Lee Wai-king, the sole Hong Kong delegate to the nation’s top legislative body, said the city could take reference from the mainland law in promoting patriotism.
Lee said patriotism should be integrated into the school curriculum as well as extracurricular activities.
At the same time, activities such as a Chinese cultural festival, as well as museums and libraries, could be used for “softer ways of promotion”, she added.
“The group will work together with the government to make patriotic education work more accessible,” said the member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
Lee mentioned last year that Beijing would closely monitor Hong Kong’s implementation of patriotic education even though the city was not legally required to enforce the new law.
