STUDENTS should uphold their ideals and principles in life and learn to make their own judgments, especially in the run-up to 1997, said Legislative Councillor Emily Lau Wai-hing at the annual speech day of Ho Tung Technical School for Girls recently.
Ms Lau said Hong Kong was facing big changes and challenges and in times like these truth was sometimes distorted and many people dared not speak the truth.
'Therefore, it is vital for young people to be able to tell right from wrong,' she said.
Recalling her own graduation, Ms Lau said: 'I had the same exhilarating feeling like you when I graduated and I believe what I learned during my school life was no different than what you have learned now - that is to stick to your principles in life and be able to distinguish right from wrong.' Ms Lau said she was disappointed to see people twisting facts or not sharing their true feelings out of fear of the Chinese Government.
She urged students to grab every opportunity in order to equip themselves with the necessary skills to boost their ability to make their own judgments.
Ms Lau also reminded the graduates to register as voters when they reached the age of 18, exercise their rights as citizens and elect the right and capable people to run Hong Kong.