Safeguarding national security routine part of Hong Kong education, bureau says

Hong Kong education authorities have said schools offering non-local curricula have a responsibility to help their students acquire a correct understanding of the national security law.

The statement from the Education Bureau on Tuesday evening came after the US hit out at the government for what it described as a “repression” of Independence Day celebrations following reports that city authorities had sent reminders to schools to remain vigilant against any attempts to promote the July 4 event on campus.

Without confirming or denying whether such reminders were sent to schools, the bureau said safeguarding national security was the responsibility of both the Hong Kong government and its community, forming a routine part of education.

“Schools offering non-local curricula also have the responsibility to help their students, regardless of their ethnicity and nationality, acquire a correct and objective understanding and appreciation of the concept of national security and the national security law, as well as the duty to cultivate a law-abiding spirit among their students,” a spokesman said.

A spokesman for the US consulate in Hong Kong said: “We condemn the Hong Kong government’s repression of US Independence Day celebrations and interference in US consulate-hosted events. Its attempts to characterise these activities as ‘unlawful’ only further reveal its insecurity and fear of freedom.”

He said that every year, US embassies and consulates around the world commemorated US Independence Day by hosting receptions and other festivities, with other foreign missions doing the same.