Hong Kong must consider national interest in education policy, says top Beijing adviser

China’s national interest must be considered when Hong Kong formulates education policies, a key adviser to Beijing said, as he gave a stern reminder that the city’s top official in charge of schooling was “under the supervision of the central government”.

Chen Zuoer, head of a semi-official think tank and a former deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said the government should take into account national sovereignty, safety and other interests when it makes education plans, including curriculum design.

He also said a distinct lack of national civic awareness and knowledge of history and culture among Hong Kong’s youth made changes to the city’s education urgently needed.

“Why was the education sector in such a mess during Occupy Central? How have the young men, who were just babies at the handover, become those on the front line who brandished the UK national flag and stormed into our military camps and government?” Chen asked.

“It is clear that there are problems with education in Hong Kong along its development,” he told a forum in Beijing hosted by the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, which he leads, on the political issues of the city’s youth.

“Many people have a distinct lack of national democratic and civic awareness, life goals, and knowledge in geography, history and culture,” he said.