Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki attended the establishment ceremony of the first Patriotism Education Base for Hong Kong & Macao Youth and met officials during his visit to Beijing.

On August 20, Mr Chan first called on Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong & Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Xu Qifang. He briefed Mr Xu on the latest developments in advancing patriotic education and the progress of organising the 15th National Games in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang also attended the meeting.

Mr Chan stated that since the establishment of the Working Group on Patriotic Education last year, it has formulated short, medium, and long-term objectives and policy measures tailored to Hong Kong's specific circumstances. He also pointed out that the group has actively carried out extensive work and achieved remarkable results.

He expressed his sincere gratitude to the central government for its continued care and support of the Hong Kong SAR Government's promotion of patriotic education.

Additionally, Mr Chan emphasised that the Hong Kong SAR Government is collaborating closely with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government on preparations for the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games, contributing to the country's efforts to become a sporting powerhouse.

He underscored that the Government will also leverage this opportunity to deepen co-operation with cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and jointly build a world-class bay area.

This morning, Mr Chan attended the establishment ceremony of the Patriotic Education Base for Hong Kong & Macao Youth.

He highlighted that with the support of the central government, the first Patriotism Education Base for Hong Kong & Macao Youth has been established at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, located by the Lugou Bridge.

The base aims to provide young students and teachers from Hong Kong and Macau with enhanced first-hand experience, enabling them to study and understand the country's development, helping them develop a sense of nationhood and national identity, and inspiring patriotic sentiments.

The establishment of the first education base holds particular significance as it coincides with the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

At the ceremony, Mr Chan said that the establishment of the education base marks an important milestone in Hong Kong's implementation of patriotic education.

The education base will serve as a crucial platform for deepening Hong Kong and Macau youth's affection for their home and country, and their understanding of the country's history, as well as enhancing their sense of patriotism, which is highly significant in nurturing a new generation devoted to the country and ready to shoulder their mission.

Mr Chan stressed that he hopes to develop more patriotic education resources nationwide in the future, enabling more Hong Kong and Macau youth to strengthen their national and ethnic identity through site visits and cultural exchange, gain a deeper understanding of the history and achievements of the country, and work together to create a brilliant future for the motherland.

Officials attending the ceremony today included Mr Xu, Beijing Vice Mayor Xia Linmao and Secretary for Social Affairs & Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government O Lam.

Mr Chan and the delegation concluded their visit and returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.