The Education Bureau today held a gala celebrating the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

The “Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country” Joint School National Education Activities Gala showcased the fruitful achievements of the school year.

Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing and Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin officiated at the event. Around 2,000 representatives from school sponsoring bodies, school councils, school head associations, schools and parent-teacher associations attended.

Mr Cheuk said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has consistently promoted mainstream values centred on patriotism and love for Hong Kong, which align with the principle of “one country, two systems”.

In April last year, the Working Group on Patriotic Education, chaired by the Chief Secretary, was established to deepen public understanding and appreciation of our nation and the richness of Chinese culture, and to systematically integrate patriotic education into the national education framework.

The Deputy Chief Secretary noted that the “Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country 3.0” joint school national education series is a fine example of how the education sector has responded positively to this initiative and worked together to promote patriotic education.

He hoped students would turn the knowledge and experiences gained from the “Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country” activities into positive values and meaningful actions - actively practising the spirit of patriotism and love for Hong Kong.

Mr Cheuk also hoped they would aspire to become a new generation of idealistic, courageous individuals with a strong Hong Kong spirit and national pride, contributing their youthful passion and strength to the cause of national unity and solidarity.

This school year's “Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country” joint school national education activities had a total attendance exceeding 40,000. Apart from teachers and students, some activities also invited parents, experts from different sectors and members of the public to enhance understanding of national education among different stakeholders.

The activities included Chinese cultural experiences, learning of intangible cultural heritage skills, visual arts and innovation exhibitions, competitions, and enquiry-based studies on themes aligned with national policies.

Today's gala marked the grand finale of the “Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country 3.0” series. About 300 students participated in the performances, including the flag-raising ceremony and Chinese-style foot drill by joint school flag guards, music, dance, dragon and flag dance as well as Cantonese opera performance, all showcasing their fruitful learning achievements.