Hong Kong lawmaker questions ‘indirect’ ways used in government-funded drive to boost city’s alignment with mainland China and national security law knowledge
- A total of HKK$12.6 million to be spent on civic and national education this year, up by HK$1.4 million on 2022-23
- Former security minister says legislature needs to ask ‘how the activities were actually held to fulfil its aims’
About HK$11.2 million (US$1.4 million) of Hong Kong taxpayers’ cash was last year spent to boost the city’s alignment with mainland China, HK$3.5 million more than in 2020, when the Beijing-imposed national security law came into force.
But a lawmaker said more questions had to be asked on how “indirect” activities could help boost knowledge of national security.
Lai Tung-kwok, a former security minister, was speaking after the government revealed part of the money was given to community groups for activities, including talent shows, special interest classes for women, colouring and quiz competitions, and gardening workshops in a bid to promote national identity and awareness of the security legislation.
The government said on Tuesday: “The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau has been working closely with the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education [CPCE] to promote civic and national education outside schools and in the community through various channels and diversified means, including providing sponsorship to eligible organisations for organising civic and national education activities.”
The figure allocated to national identity and national security law education this year is HK$12.6 million.
