Fang Ping, Emeritus Professor of Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Down-to-earth cultivation of Hong Kong students' homeland feelings

　　China news agency, Hong Kong, October 24 -

　　Author Suo Youwei Wei Huadu

　　"For example, a car with a'Lu' written on the front of the license plate means that the new car was placed in Shandong Province when it landed. The abbreviation of each province in China is not in Hong Kong textbooks, so no matter what I give Elementary school students, middle school students or college students are in class, and I will make up this lesson for them."

　　Fang Ping, an emeritus professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and vice chairman of the Cross-Strait Peace Development Federation, who has been teaching in Hong Kong for 22 years, shared his teaching experience at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Lingnan University in an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency.

　　He once introduced maps of China to students in college classes, as well as the abbreviations of provinces and cities.

When he worked at Chinese International School, his goal was to "make students interested in Chinese". In addition to teaching Chinese in class, he also held "China Week" activities to introduce traditional Chinese culture such as tea and calligraphy.

　　"I have a course called Tourism Mandarin, which makes students interested in the mountains and rivers of the motherland." What impressed Fang Ping was that a student returned from a trip to Beijing and used the word "shock" to describe his feelings, "Such a subtle education, It is a kind of cultivation of family and country feelings, and it is very important."

　　Fang Ping believes that Hong Kong's education system still has room for improvement.

The SAR government should strengthen national education so that students can recognize the country more.

"In schools, the identity of the Chinese nation, the identity of the motherland, and the identity of Hong Kong's return status are the basic points and cannot be deviated," he said.

　　The constant holding of flag raising ceremonies in primary and secondary schools is a "dream" Fang Ping has taught for many years. Now, this dream has finally come true.

　　The National Flag and National Emblem (Amendment) Ordinance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was officially gazetted on October 8. The Education Bureau of the Special Administrative Region Government issued guidelines to Hong Kong primary and secondary schools and kindergartens on October 11. The national flag is raised on the anniversary and National Day, and a national flag raising ceremony must be held once a week.

　　"Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the social atmosphere has gradually improved. Although this regulation came a bit late, it is worth applauding." He hopes that schools will follow the guidelines and will continue to raise the national flag and hold flag-raising ceremonies after university.

　　"I went to an elementary school to promote calligraphy education in the first two weeks. Although this is a Christian school, it also implements a very strict flag raising ceremony." Fang Ping was pleased with this. "Hong Kong will return to the motherland on the 25th anniversary next year. In order to enhance students’ national identity and Chinese cultural identity, education must be strengthened."

　　In order to promote the excellent Chinese traditional culture, Fang Ping joined hands with Hong Kong calligrapher Liang Jundu and others to gather a group of like-minded literary and art people, and recently established the Hong Kong Lion Rock Literary and Art Association, with Fang Ping serving as executive vice president and secretary-general.

　　"I heard from some older generations of Hong Kong people that they also had calligraphy and abacus classes at school, but now they are gone. This is a pity. The mainland has listed calligraphy education as a compulsory course in the basic education stage. There is also a calligraphy class."

　　Fang Ping said that the Lion Rock Art Association will gradually bring calligraphy lectures into the campus, and invite calligraphers to give demonstrations on the spot to guide students to participate. The writing content will be based on the "Di Zi Gui" as the blueprint.

When conditions are ripe, an annual calligraphy competition for all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong will be organized.

　　Fang Ping believes that traditional education must be closely linked to modern life, and must be linked. Even if Hong Kong does not necessarily take calligraphy as a formal curriculum, schools with conditions can also open interest classes to enhance students’ recognition of the excellent Chinese traditional culture. Knowledge and inheritance.

　　"We can't just shout slogans to strengthen education, we must be down-to-earth, have measures to implement step by step." He said.

(over)