HONG KONG – The Hong Kong government will work to help the city’s young people develop a strong sense of national identity, a love of Hong Kong, an awareness of civic responsibility and a global vision, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Tuesday.

Carrie Lam noted that in September, the government will replace the Liberal Studies curriculum in order to foster a strong sense of civic responsibility

She made the remarks while congratulating young people across the country in celebrating the May 4 National Youth Day, which commemorates the iconic patriotic student movement that started on May 4, 1919.

During a media briefing ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting, Lam called on young people in Hong Kong to seize the “abundant opportunities” arising from the national development, including the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. They should continue to capitalize on Hong Kong’s unique advantages under “one country, two systems”, she said.

Twelve youth uniformed groups carry out a flag-raising ceremony outside the Broadcasting House, headquarters of Radio Television Hong Kong, in Kowloon Tong to mark the anniversary of the May Fourth Movement. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

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As an example, Lam noted that in September, the government will replace the Liberal Studies curriculum in schools with Citizenship and Social Development, in order to foster a strong sense of civic responsibility and respect for the rule of law.

As for engaging in national development, under a government-sponsored recruitment scheme for mainland employers to hire more Hong Kong university graduates, the first 2,000 places have been snapped up, and the young graduates will soon start their jobs, she said.

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Lam also commended the efforts and contributions of the younger generation in the face of the global pandemic, during which the youth have been actively involved in community volunteering and online learning when schools were forced to close.