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National education in Hong Kong

National education in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong government has sought since 2007 to introduce "national education" courses to strengthen "national identity awareness" and nurture patriotism towards China. The programme has drawn public opposition in recent years, with many in Hong Kong seeing it as a brainwashing attempt by the Chinese Communist Party to suppress dissent.
Students of Tai Po Old Market Public School hold a flag-raising ceremony on the first day of school on September 1, 2025. Photo: Jelly Tse
Education in Hong Kong

Editorial | New curriculum guide will bolster national identity in Hong Kong

Along with flag-raising and other activities, the revised framework will support young Hongkongers in cultivating a deeper sense of belonging to the nation.

Education in Hong Kong

Hongkongers as young as 6 should ‘feel proud to be Chinese’: learning guide

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Education in Hong Kong

DSE citizenship exam tests students on social awareness and national principles

Education in Hong Kong

Exclusive | Hong Kong education minister open to international version of DSE exams

University entrance exams could go digital as schools push to attract non-local students amid declining enrolment numbers.

Hong Kong’s Diploma of Secondary Education qualifications are recognised worldwide. Photo: Handout
Legacy of war in Asia

Letters | For Hong Kong, war films may be more effective as patriotic education

Readers discuss new films like Dead to Rights and Dongji Rescue, the end of the Pacific war, and the legal woes of unwary visitors from mainland China.

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong schools told to add national education elements to more subjects

Education Bureau tells schools to add national education to subjects including English, maths, music, visual arts and PE.

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Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong DSE: citizen and social development exam ‘easy’, some students say

Exam paper asks candidates to discuss Hong Kong’s strengths in promoting Chinese culture and the influence of China’s foreign aid.

The paper also required students to discuss Hong Kong’s strengths in promoting Chinese culture. Photo: Jelly Tse
Education in Hong Kong

Investigation launched into hacking of student’s records at elite Hong Kong school

Unauthorised individual accessed and modified Queen’s College violation records for student under different teachers’ names.

Hong Kong politics

Chinese navy to make regular visits to Hong Kong, in move praised by analysts

Analysts say presence of PLA Navy ships will show country’s military might to residents and improve sense of national identity and pride.

Hong Kong politics

Teaching Hong Kong’s rule of law and fostering patriotism are ‘inseparable’: minister

Understanding the Basic Law and China’s constitution provides historical context of city’s transition from British to Chinese rule, Paul Lam says.

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Young people participate in a flag-raising ceremony in Sha Tin. Photo: Dickson Lee
China’s Communist Party

Xi lobs warning to ‘separatists’ across Taiwan Strait in National Day speech

In National Day speech, Chinese leader says the island is the country’s ‘ sacred territory’.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping has used his national Day address to send a warning to Taiwan independence forces. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to hold record number of National Day events, but do they fit the vibe?

City’s districts spend more on China’s 75th-anniversary celebrations, but some events raise eyebrows.

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Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong museum to showcase medals from local, mainland Chinese Olympians

Display at Museum of History part of exhibition marking anniversary of country’s establishment, with Science Museum to also host exhibits.

Education in Hong Kong

Opinion | Why learning to love China isn’t like any other school subject

Patriotic education needs a clear approach or it risks failing like previous efforts. Teachers must be prepared and students must know what they are expected to learn.

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Students raise the national flag during a ceremony marking the start of the school year at a secondary school in Hong Kong’s Tuen Mun district on September 2. Photo: Elson Li
Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong students ‘should sing national anthem with emotion’ on return to school

Education chief Christine Choi issues reminder before first day of academic term, with flag-raising ceremonies expected at schools.

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Authorities have advised schools to hold a national flag-raising ceremony on important occasions, including the first day of school. Photo: Felix Wong
Hong Kong economy

Letters | Hong Kong must radiate ideas, not replicate them

Readers suggest focus areas for Hong Kong’s reform road map, how the Olympics have helped nurture patriotism, and the Western media’s narrative on the city

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong pupils to learn more Communist Party history on mainland China trips

Education Bureau says cross-border trips in coming school year will include visits to museums and sites of historical relevance to the party.

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Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong teachers accused of lacking knowledge of national security education

Education Bureau says some schools fail to integrate national security elements into other subjects, and also highlights problems elsewhere.

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S.K.H. Holy Cross Primary School in Kowloon City, which was criticised for failing to use all the resources for national security education. Photo: Dickson Lee
Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong school religion classes to have responsibility to country, media content

Junior secondary pupils to be taught about responsibility to country, media objectivity and environment under new 217-page curriculum.

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Education in Hong Kong

First batch of Hong Kong ethnic minority pupils depart for mainland China tour

Pupils using new five-year travel permits for permanent residents with foreign passports to take tour to better understand nation.

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China’s Communist Party

Communist Party exhibitions lean on honour and obligation among young Chinese

Museums seek to inspire students with stories of the party’s early days – but not everybody is won over.

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Patriotism-themed exhibitions attended by young Chinese have become a common sight in recent years, particularly during public holidays. Photo: Yijing Shen
Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong revamps school guides for visual arts, music to foster national security

Education Bureau suggests traditional Chinese painting theory be used as criteria for assessing pupils’ artwork, among other new emphases.

A statue of Confucius. The new guide on visual arts includes aesthetics of Confucian and Taoist culture, and suggests teachers use traditional Chinese painting theory as a criteria of for assessing pupils’ artwork. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong’s No 2 official compares patriotic education with dating a girl

‘You have to get to know the country before identifying with it, eventually being able to love and safeguard it,’ Eric Chan says.

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Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong officials defend criticism of special needs school over patriotic classes

Social media users earlier slammed Education Bureau for urging school to ensure more teachers were equipped to teach national security topics.

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Education in Hong Kong

Some Hong Kong pupils singing national anthem too softly, school inspectors say

Comments were made in a new batch of 10 external review reports on schools.

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School inspectors now also look at national education during their reviews. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Crime in Hong Kong

Hundreds of Hong Kong police to look out for Tiananmen anniversary activities

Sources say police will ramp up their presence on Tuesday at sensitive locations.

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Police officers were out in force in Causeway Bay on Monday evening. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong society

Editorial | A softer approach to national education is step in right direction

For Hong Kong, as elsewhere, focusing on inspiration rather than imposition is the way forward to instil patriotism.

Education in Hong Kong

More effort needed to get Hong Kong pupils to study Chinese history, expert says

Having just 13 per cent of pupils taking DSE exam in subject is ‘far from ideal’, says Ho Hon-kuen of the Centre of National History Education (Hong Kong).

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