HK national education controversy highlypoliticized

By Chen Chenchen (Global Times)

08:11, September 05, 2012

Opposition has been vocal since a national education course was officially introducedin Hong Kong schools Monday, the first day of the new school year. Some studentsalso joined protests and launched a hunger strike to exert pressure on the government.

Although the Hong Kong authorities have appealed for rational view of this course andbroader discussions of Hong Kong's future, a compromise between the governmentand the opposition groups won't be achieved any time soon.

It is a deeply rooted perception among some Hong Kong elites that the system of thespecial administrative region is superior, and increasing influence from the mainland willonly destroy Hong Kong's uniqueness. These theories are frequently published by localmedia outlets, but this mentality harms Hong Kong's future.

Since Hong Kong's return to the mainland 15 years ago, issues surrounding thenational awareness of locals and ties between mainland and Hong Kong residentsremain subtle but thorny issues. Nevertheless, the national identity of Hong Kongresidents should be emphasized, and Hong Kong's future can in no way be separatedfrom that of the mainland.

Attempting to reduce this sense of national identity surely caters to the interests ofcertain groups in Hong Kong, but brings hazier prospects for Hong Kong citizens.

The controversy around the national education program, which already led to amassive protest on July 29, is aggravating social divisions in Hong Kong.

Pan-democrats, by slamming this "brainwashing," are all out to rattle the leadership ofLeung Chun-ying, Hong Kong's new chief executive who took office in July. It's selfish toencourage parents and teachers to give up adapting to their national identity for thesake of these pan-democrats' own political benefit.

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（Editor：梁军、马茜）