The award ceremony for the 2023 Let's Join Hands in Safeguarding National Security programme jointly organised by the Education Bureau (EDB) and the Security Bureau (SB) was held today (July 6). The Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li, and the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, officiated at the ceremony and presented prizes to winning schools and students.
The EDB and the SB joined hands again this school year and organised the 2023 Let's Join Hands in Safeguarding National Security programme, with a view to enabling students to understand, in a diverse and lively way, the importance of safeguarding national security, enhancing teachers' and students' awareness of national security and law-abidingness, and creating a positive atmosphere of safeguarding national security.
In her address, Ms Li said that the programme was very well received by schools. The total number of participating students in the four activities under the programme exceeded 110 000, setting a new record.
Ms Li remarked that national security is the bedrock of national rejuvenation, and social stability is a prerequisite for building a strong and prosperous China. At present, Hong Kong is entering a new stage of "advancing from stability to prosperity", where national security is an important cornerstone to ensure Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, and safeguarding national security is the collective responsibility of all. The EDB attaches great importance to national security education. Besides refining the curricula continuously, the EDB nurtures in students an awareness of and a sense of responsibility for safeguarding national security through compiling learning and teaching resources, and organising diversified learning activities and Mainland exchange tours. The EDB will join hands with the community to promote the mainstream values characterised by the love of both the motherland and Hong Kong at the core, and in conformity with the principle of "one country, two systems", as well as nurture a new generation of youngsters who love the country, Hong Kong and their family.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Cheuk commended the rich variety of topics covered in the entries by participating students, demonstrating their enhanced understanding of safeguarding national security.
Mr Cheuk also said that the SB has just updated the National Security Law online virtual exhibition, with the Hong Kong Palace Museum as its background, and that two mini-games have been added for visitors to test their understanding of the National Security Law in a fun way at the online virtual exhibition.
The programme, with each activity having its own characteristics and catering for students' diverse interests and abilities, received an overwhelmingly positive response from teachers and students in primary and secondary schools across the territory. In particular, as many as 99 100 students from over 610 schools participated in the online quiz competition; 2 100 students from a total of 140 schools participated in the slogan-cum-poster design competition; around 11 700 students participated in the writing competition; and over 1 380 students from a total of 317 teams participated in the school bulletin board design competition.
The EDB and the SB will continue to work together to promote national security education and join forces to maintain national security.
Follow this news feed: East Asia