Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki and Working Group on Patriotic Education Convenor Starry Lee yesterday embarked on a two-day visit to Beijing to learn more about the implementation of the Patriotic Education Law of the People’s Republic of China.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government explained that reference will be made to the trip when devising strategies and work plans for patriotic education that are suited to Hong Kong’s circumstances, with a view to building mainstream values that are characterised by affection for China and Hong Kong and conform with “one country, two systems”, thereby enabling the spirit of patriotism to take root in society.

Yesterday, Mr Chan met Vice Minister of the CCP Central Committee Publicity Department Hu Heping to exchange views on taking forward patriotic education in Hong Kong and on the Mainland.

Highlighting that the Hong Kong SAR Government established a Working Group on Patriotic Education in April, and that it comprises sub-groups on school education, the local community, history, politics, the economy and culture, and media publicity, Mr Chan said these directions are in line with the spirit of the country’s patriotic education law.

He added that China’s long history and profound cultural heritage have laid a solid foundation for patriotic education, and that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to deepen people’s understanding of national developments and achievements, and strengthen their sense of national identity and national pride.

The delegates then toured the Museum of the Communist Party of China, and said they will report on their experiences there to members of the Working Group on Patriotic Education after returning to Hong Kong. The working group will explore ways to unite and give full play to the forces of the Government and the local community when promoting patriotic education.

Today, Mr Chan met Director of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao & Taiwan Affairs and Director of the Department of International Co-operation & Exchanges of the Ministry of Education Yang Dan.

The Chief Secretary told Mr Yang that national education and national security education in Hong Kong have incorporated various elements of patriotic education, as well as its spirit. He also explained that the Education Bureau will continue to adopt a multi-pronged and co-ordinated approach to supporting schools in carrying out patriotic education and ensuring that it dovetails with the content of the Patriotic Education Law.

Mr Chan elaborated that the relevant work includes strengthening teacher training, enhancing students’ national affairs education, and organising joint-school national education activities, Chinese culture immersion activities and Mainland study tours.

After the meeting, Mr Chan visited the Office of the Hong Kong SAR Government in Beijing, where he learnt more about staff members’ work and chatted with Hong Kong student interns there.

The Chief Secretary said he was pleased to learn that the students have developed a strong affection for the motherland while studying and living in Beijing. He encouraged them to equip themselves to contribute to the high-quality development of the country and Hong Kong in the future.