President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The Education Bureau (EDB) today (July 27) held a session on the "Spirit of the President's Important Speech" at the Central Government Offices. Former Secretary for Justice Ms Elsie Leung was invited to deliver a keynote speech to enable the education sector to obtain a deeper understanding of the spirit of the President's important speech.
President Xi raised in his speech "four musts" for the new administration: we must fully and faithfully implement the principle of "one country, two systems"; we must uphold the Central Government's overall jurisdiction while securing the HKSAR's high degree of autonomy; we must ensure that Hong Kong is administered by patriots; and we must maintain Hong Kong's distinctive status and advantages. President Xi also laid down "four proposals" for the newly inaugurated Government, i.e. further improving its governance, continuing to create strong impetus for growth, earnestly addressing people's concerns and difficulties in daily life, and working together to safeguard harmony and stability. President Xi showed love and care for the young people in particular. He pointed out that "When the young people thrive, Hong Kong thrives. When the young people grow, Hong Kong grows. When there is a future for the young people, there is a future for Hong Kong." He said that Hong Kong should create opportunities for all of Hong Kong's young people, so that they can devote themselves to building the city into a better home and writing a rewarding chapter of their life with impassioned youth.
The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li, also talked about their views at the session. Other participants shared their feelings as well.
Dr Choi said, "I am very grateful to President Xi Jinping for this important speech, which sets out a clear direction for the future development of the HKSAR. I am particularly grateful for his care and high expectations for the youth of Hong Kong. President Xi's speech is closely related to Hong Kong's future as well as every student's future. As teachers and parents, we have the responsibilities to help students understand the pace of development and future of the 'one country, two systems' principle.
"At present, Hong Kong is entering a new era of 'advancing from stability to prosperity'. The next five years will be a crucial time for Hong Kong to make progress. The EDB will unequivocally devote efforts to improving education in a bid to provide 'better education for children', and strengthen the nurturing of our young people.
"With concerted efforts of the education sector and other sectors throughout the community, we will strive to create more opportunities for our young people to unleash their potential and grasp Hong Kong's unique advantage as a world city that implements the 'one country, two systems' principle, enable them to understand the development trend of our country and the rest of the world, enhance their national pride and sense of being the masters, integrate into the overall development of the country, and build a broader stage for the country, Hong Kong, and themselves through learning, exchange, collaboration and development of talents," she added.
The session today was attended by about 250 participants, including the directorate and senior staff of the EDB, heads of government schools and representatives from school councils and principals' associations in relation to kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools, as well as other education organisations.
Follow this news feed: East Asia