Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki and Under Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Clarence Leung were in Ruijin, Jiangxi today to attend a launch ceremony for the Long March exchange, which involves youths from Hong Kong and Macau.

Mr Chan stated that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has always attached great importance to patriotic education.

He said: “In particular, we actively encourage young people to participate in exchange activities on the Mainland to fully understand the country's history, culture and latest achievements.

“The Long March holds great significance in the nation's development history. We hope that young people can gain an in-depth understanding of its history, learn from its spirit of perseverance and solidarity, and grow into a new generation with an affection for the country and for Hong Kong that is equipped with global perspectives. They should seize the immense opportunities arising from our country's new journey and proactively integrate into and contribute to the overall national development.”

In Ruijin, Mr Chan and Mr Leung also visited the Yeping Revolutionary Sites and the Central Revolutionary Base Area History Museum. These landmarks bear witness to the dedication and sacrifices of the country’s revolutionary forebears.

Mr Chan expressed a wish to strengthen co-operation with Jiangxi in the area of patriotic education and to arrange further exchange activities that allow young people from Hong Kong to visit historical sites, thereby strengthening their identification with Chinese culture and cultivating their sense of national identity.

About 120 youths from Hong Kong and Macau, along with Mainland youths, visited Ganzhou, Jiangxi, from May 8 to 11. They toured memorial museums and historical sites related to the Long March, and visited local research institutes, enterprises and heritage sites.

Mr Chan was due to depart for Hong Kong this afternoon.