HK youth urged to learn Basic Law

Hong Kong people, especially the youth, should comprehend and understand the Basic Law well so they would not be misled by irresponsible notions, the central government’s top education liaison official in Hong Kong said on Wednesday.

He made the remark at the launching ceremony of a series of city-wide Basic Law knowledge contests which will be held in the next three months.

Li Lu, director of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs at the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, stressed that the Basic Law acts as the foundation of Hong Kong society and defines the country’s sovereignty over the SAR, without which the city “would never have a day of peace”.

He noticed that 27 years after the Basic Law was enacted, some Hong Kong people were not aware of the content and spirit of the city’s most important constitutional document.

“Especially young people,” Li said. “They have not received adequate Basic Law education. Thus they are more vulnerable to advocates with a political agenda.”

He said Basic Law knowledge contests were meaningful and came at a good time to step up Basic Law education among Hong Kong’s young students. Meanwhile, Li hoped their parents could also understand more of the constitutional document.

The contests include a question and answer contest for secondary school students, a creative slogan contest for primary school students, a parent-kid drawing competition for kindergarten pupils and a design contest for parents.

The contests are part of the celebration activities for the 20th anniversary of the city’s reunification with China.

Also present at the ceremony were Tan Tieniu, the newly appointed deputy director of the Liaison Office, Tam Yiuchung, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former head of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, and Basic Law Committee member Lau Nai-keung.

More than 500 students, parents and teachers also attended ceremony.

Tam was a member of the Basic Law Drafting Committee. He remembered that everyone was determined to compile a constitutional document to safeguard the “One Country, Two Systems” principle whatever their political views. He hoped all Hong Kong people can resume that spirit to look forward and work for the best overall interest of Hong Kong.

Especially young people, they have not received adequate Basic Law education.” Li Lu, director of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs at the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR

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