National education is an important and long-term mission for Hong Kong, Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing says, adding the Government will support local initiatives to hold national education activities.

Speaking at the National Education Inter-school Digital Gold Award Competition 2008 today Mr Tsang said recent opinion polls showed Hong Kong citizens have a heightened sense of Chinese national identity. He attributed this to the Mainland's development and increasing social cohesion.

Mr Tsang said the Government will make good use of new media technology to promote national education so youngsters can keep abreast to the country's developments.

The Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education, the Commission on Youth and other organisations have also helped promote national education, like arranging exchange and visit programmes, he added.