The Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, led the 16th National Day and Professional Exchange Delegation from the Hong Kong Education Sector to visit Beijing today (September 27) to call on a state leader and officials of the Ministry of Education.
Mr Sze and the delegation were received and welcomed by the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, Mr Peng Qinghua, at the Great Hall of the People. They then met the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education, Mr Wang Jiayi. Mr Sze said that it was particularly meaningful to visit Beijing with representatives from the education sector before the National Day and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China together with the people of the capital. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Department of Education of Liaoning Province and various Mainland units for their full support, facilitating the smooth conduct of the exchange programme.
Mr Sze said that the Education Bureau has been promoting national education through a "multipronged and co-ordinated" approach, encouraging whole school participation within and beyond the classroom. The exchange programme has deepened the education sector's understanding of the history, culture and education development of the motherland, and broadened their professional horizons through on-site studies and professional exchanges, helping them further promote patriotic education, spread patriotic values, and strengthen students' identification with the country and Chinese culture.
This year, the delegation comprised over 130 participants from the education sector, including representatives from tertiary institutions and professional education organisations, as well as principals and vice-principals from primary and secondary schools and kindergartens. The delegation began its visit on September 23. Members toured schools in Shenyang and Beijing to observe lessons and interact with teachers and students. They also visited the "918" Historical Museum, the Museum of the Communist Party of China and the Shijingshan Planning Exhibition Hall to learn about the history, culture and urban planning of the country.
​Tomorrow morning (September 28), Mr Sze and the delegation will observe the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square. They will conclude their visit and return to Hong Kong in the afternoon.
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