The Government announced today the establishment of the Working Group on Patriotic Education to co-ordinate the work of government departments and non-governmental organisations in taking forward patriotic education.

The working group was announced in the Chief Executive's Policy Address last year and set up under the Constitution & Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee.

As steering committee chairman, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said patriotic education is rich in content, covering the history, culture, traditions and values, and symbols and signs of the country, with focuses on cultivating national awareness and sense of civic responsibility among all citizens.

Given that promotion of patriotic education can be conducted in a diversified manner, in addition to the Government’s all-out promotional effort, the active participation of all sectors in society is integral, he added.

The membership of the working group comprises the relevant directors of bureaus and heads of departments and leaders from the relevant sectors of society.

The group will focus efforts on four aspects - school education; local community; history, politics, economy and culture; and media publicity.

Mr Chan said he believes the working group will take into account both the current situation and the relevant contents of the Patriotic Education Law of the People's Republic of China, to tendering advice and suggestions to the committee on how best to combine efforts of the Government and the community in enhancing the awareness and sense of patriotism among the people of Hong Kong.