Quiz proves ignorance can also be found over the border

THE HONG KONG handover in 1997 is a matter of national pride for China. Hence there were more than a few red faces when an aspirant in a government-sanctioned talent contest in front of a nationwide audience failed to answer a question asking when the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was established.

To spice up the show, organisers of the Tenth All-China Young Singers TV Grand Awards Tournament decided to add a quiz segment to challenge the budding stars. The competition is hosted by China Central TV.

About 16 contestants appeared in a studio to show off their musical skills for eight evenings in a row. The match is traditionally a stepping stone for young performers. It has been so successful that authorities upgraded the event into a national musical competition in 1997.

This year participants were asked a question to test their general knowledge. The new arrangement is supposed to gauge their 'overall quality'. But after one hopeful proved ignorant of the fact that China resumed sovereignty over the British colony five years ago, the People's Daily put the topic up for public debate on its online edition. The handover is, after all, regarded as one of China's biggest achievements in the past half-century.

Another contender was asked to name the five permanent members of the United Nations' Security Council. Instead of naming China, France, Russia, the UK and the US, all the participant could muster was a nonsensical answer: 'Sydney, Geneva . . .' Many others simply went silent after hearing their question.

The intellectual performance of the singers was so disappointing it has triggered a series of scathing commentaries in mainland press.

The host was eager to explain the poor results away as accidental, saying it was not uncommon for even a knowledgable person to stumble in such on-the-spot quizzes. The media, however, remained unconvinced, suggesting that as so many singers had failed, the problem appeared to be widespread.