Pro-Beijing politician Rita Fan says new Hong Kong centre for promoting Chinese history serves no political purpose
NPC standing committee member denies founding of organisation is related to emerging pro-independence sentiment, says contemporary events won’t be covered to avoid controversy
Pro-Beijing political heavyweight Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai said an educational organisation she established with six other prominent figures to promote Chinese history and culture will serve no political purpose.
At a press event to unveil the Endeavour Education Centre on Wednesday, the National People’s Congress standing committee member also said its founding had nothing to do with emerging pro-Hong Kong independence sentiment.
The six other board members are: Basic Law Committee deputy director and former justice secretary Elsie Leung Oi-sie; former home affairs secretary Tsang Tak-sing; former police commissioner Dick Lee Ming-kwai; retired Fresh Fish Traders’ School principal Leung Kee-cheong; former permanent secretary for financial services and the treasury Au King-chi; and China Everbright chief executive Chen Shuang.
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“We don’t have a political purpose, but I can imagine everyone will say we do. However, for the work we are doing, the most important thing is that it is up to one to decide whether to join or click into our website,” Fan said.
She said the centre would offer a channel of information on Chinese history until 1911, the end of the Qing dynasty, for students.
Contemporary historic events like the conflict between the Communists and the Nationalists would not be covered to avoid the centre from becoming embroiled in disputes, she said.
“We will not talk about the Chinese Civil War, nor will we discuss June 4, because these would just bring more disagreements ... there are too many people talking about these, on a daily basis,” Fan added.
She said did not believe the centre would be able to “brainwash” youngsters.
Ex-police chief Dick Lee, who studied history as an undergraduate at the Chinese University, said the centre would not attempt to force young people to accept the material.
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Scholarships will be provided to students who performed well in the study of Chinese history, and teachers will be given assistance with organising seminars and study tours to the mainland.
“Sure, we need to do some liaison work before paying visits to some institutions [on the mainland]. But it would be difficult if you wanted to pay a visit to [jailed Nobel Peace Prize laureate] Liu Xiaobo in prison,” Fan said.
The centre will also distribute a Chinese history textbook covering events until 1911 – by an author who graduated from National Chengchi University in Taiwan – to 1,000 primary and secondary schools.
Fan said the centre would need HK$30 million in the coming three years, and she was confident that they would be more than able to meet the target via fundraising.
