Act on national education for the young, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam told by Chinese minister on Beijing visit

China’s education minister has reminded Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor of President Xi Jinping’s instructions on the need to strengthen young people’s education on the Chinese constitution, Basic Law, and Chinese history and culture.

Chen Baosheng also told Lam that his ministry would spare no effort in helping the city address “all questions” and responding to “all requests” on education.

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Chen raised the issue with Lam during a meeting in Beijing on Monday, a move seen by some political analysts as Beijing pressuring Lam to revive national education in Hong Kong.

Lam told Chen that she agreed that young people should have “national awareness”. The chief executive is in Beijing for a four-day visit to meet officials at various ministries and organisations.

“[Xi] said he hoped Hong Kong’s youth would grow healthy, bear the responsibility of Hong Kong and serve the city and the country,” he told Lam. “[Xi] expected [Hong Kong] to strengthen education on the Chinese constitution, the Basic Law and Chinese history and culture.”

Lam said she was not an education expert because she had never been in charge of this policy area during her 37 years working in the Hong Kong government.