China News Agency, Hong Kong, June 18-The Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government issued a circular to all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong on the 18th to provide guidelines on displaying national flags and regional flags and singing the national anthem, instructing all primary and secondary schools to teach students the etiquette of singing the national anthem.
A spokesman for the Education Bureau said: "The National Anthem Regulations were formally gazetted on June 12 this year. According to the Regulations, the Secretary for Education must issue instructions on incorporating the National Anthem into primary and secondary education. The spirit of the National Anthem Regulations is to respect the National Anthem, No one may publicly and deliberately insult the national anthem or improperly use the national anthem. All primary and secondary schools must provide opportunities for students to learn to sing the national anthem, and to teach students the history and spirit of the national anthem and the etiquette of singing the national anthem."
The spokesman emphasized that the national flag, national anthem and national emblem are all symbols and emblems of a country, and any citizen must respect them. Cultivating students' recognition of national identity is an important learning objective of primary and secondary education. It is the responsibility of school education to let students understand the development of their own countries in history, culture, economy, science and technology, political system, and law, and cultivate their national concepts. Schools must educate students to understand the national flag, national anthem and national emblem of their own country. This is part of moral education, civic and national education, and helps to strengthen students' identification with the national identity.
The spokesman also said that primary and secondary schools must raise the national flag and the regional flag when holding activities to celebrate New Year’s Day (January 1), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day (July 1), and National Day (October 1). Play the national anthem. The Education Bureau also strongly recommends that schools raise national flags and regional flags and sing the national anthem on important days and special occasions such as school days, open days and graduation ceremonies, and encourage schools to regularly display national flags and regional flags and sing the national anthem .
The spokesman said that the Education Bureau will maintain close liaison with the academic community and provide appropriate support for relevant learning in accordance with the situation to help schools carry out relevant work. (Finish)