Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin today attended an activity in Beijing in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and called on the Ministry of Education to discuss education issues.

While attending the National Day reception at the Great Hall of the People, Ms Choi said that the country is forging ahead with Chinese-style modernisation in full force, and continuously deepening reform and opening up, striving to build a strong nation and achieve national rejuvenation.

The Education Bureau will continue to map out the education plan from a holistic perspective and take long-term needs into account to build Hong Kong into an international education hub, cultivate and attract outstanding talent, enhance its development momentum, promote high-quality development and contribute to the building of a leading country in education and technology, she added

The education chief also met officials of the Ministry of Education and visited the Institute of Applied Linguistics to meet its Director Liu Pengjian to discuss the promotion of the Test of Proficiency in Putonghua conducted by the State Language Commission in Hong Kong.

Ms Choi explained that the bureau launched the Sponsorship Scheme for Teachers Taking the National Putonghua Proficiency Test earlier to encourage teachers to raise their Putonghua proficiency level.

After pointing out that qualified serving and prospective teachers of primary and secondary schools are fully sponsored by the Language Fund to take the test once, Ms Choi stated that she looks forward to more teachers taking the test.