Hongkongers should learn about socialism given Chinese Communist Party achievements, says patriotic education working group convenor
- Patriotic education will help Hongkongers understand nation’s history, culture, achievements and governance, says Starry Lee
- She says all stakeholders in society should do their part to promote patriotic education using diversified approach public finds palatable
Hongkongers should learn about socialism despite living in a capitalist society, given the Chinese Communist Party’s achievements, the convenor of a new government working group on promoting patriotic education has said.
Starry Lee Wai-king said on Sunday that patriotic education would help residents to understand the nation’s history, culture, achievements and governance but stressed the need to make it “palatable” to members of the public.
“It is necessary for us to have an understanding of the socialist system implemented in our country,” Lee, the city’s sole delegate to the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the nation’s top legislative body, told a television show.
“It is important to understand the benefits, limitations and challenges of the socialist system.”
Lee, recently appointed to convene the Working Group on Patriotic Education, acknowledged that loving one’s country did not necessarily equate to loving the party, but pointed to the party’s successes.
“Presently, the country led by the Communist Party of China has achieved a series of accomplishments and developments. Therefore, acknowledging and identifying with the country’s achievements and various aspects is also equivalent to recognising and loving the ruling party of the country,” said Lee, a local lawmaker also.
She said the working group would hold its first meeting this month.
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The group, first announced in Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu’s policy address in October, was established in line with a patriotic education law passed by the national legislature that month, although the city was not legally obliged to set it up.
It is chaired by the city’s No 2 official, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, and includes 12 representatives from the government including Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai and security minister Chris Tang Ping-keung.
The patriotic education law came into effect on January 1 and covers those in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, as well as Chinese people overseas.
It lays down content, goals, guiding principles and a leadership mechanism for patriotic education, as well as the duties of departments involved.
Patriotism working group in Hong Kong may adopt innovative approach
Members of the Hong Kong unit will coordinate with different departments and social sectors, and focus efforts on four aspects: school education; local community; history, politics, economy and culture; and media publicity.
Starry Lee said all stakeholders in society, including both government and non-governmental organisations, should do their part to promote patriotic education using a diversified approach that the public found palatable.
“For example, within churches or other religious organisations, they have displayed the national flag or emblem in their venues, or hold flag-raising ceremonies during important occasions,” she said.
“This is already a sign of patriotism, and I believe all organisations have the means to do the same.”
Lee stressed that there was no punishment or requirement to love the country or party, and equated patriotism to values such as civic responsibility and filial piety.
While she said the effectiveness of patriotic education was difficult to measure, the work carried out by the group was necessary.
“Patriotic education is aimed at fostering a sense of love, respect, and support for our country, a sentiment that needs to be nurtured,” she said.
“It doesn’t mean we don’t have to do it because it cannot be quantified or measured.”
