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OpinionLetters

Chinese history should be made compulsory in Hong Kong schools

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Then president Jiang Zemin shakes hands with Britain’s Prince Charles at the Hong Kong handover ceremony to mark the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty, in the first minutes of July 1, 1997. Photo: Robert Ng
Letters
I agree with Li Sheung-yi that young people in Hong Kong should have a better understanding of Chinese history (“It is important to learn about nation’s past”, January 22).

In September 2014, young people in Hong Kong launched the Occupy Central civil disobedience movement to seek universal suffrage. Its organisers were even accused of calling for an independent Hong Kong. This is really impracticable, as Hong Kong has always been part of China.

If they study Chinese history properly, they will learn why the city was only subject to British colonial rule for 156 years; and had to be returned to China on July 1, 1997.

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By studying Chinese history, young people will learn to better appreciate their roots, what happened in the past, and what sacrifices our city made to become what it is today.

Students who study Chinese history often have to possess a critical mind and thinking skills, as they often have to do a great deal of independent work and analysis, as well as a large amount of reading and writing.

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Chinese history reflects how the nation developed over time. Without this proper understanding, young people will continue to fight for independence, which is an impossible goal.

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