Looming Hong Kong government pick sparks new national education fears
Pro-Beijing school principal set to join new administration, despite petition and protests against her appointment
A pro-Beijing school principal appeared on Tuesday morning as the sole candidate to be the new education undersecretary, despite more than 17,000 people objecting to her appointment.
It was understood that the appointment of Christine Choi Yuk-lin, vice-chairman of Federation of Education Workers, was awaiting the final green light.
That came as the government prepared to announce the appointment of more than 10 of the 26 undersecretaries and political assistants on Tuesday. The rest were expected to be appointed later this month.
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Her candidacy prompted more than 17,000 people to sign a petition against her getting the job.
Political party Demosisto and a few student groups went to Choi’s office on Monday, demanding to speak with her. They staged a protest outside her office, after that demand went unmet.
“Oppose Christine Choi to be the education undersecretary. Oppose using Putonghua to teach Chinese. Oppose national education,” they chanted.