The President, Mr Xi Jinping, commended – during a visit this morning to the Premier School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School – Macao’s efforts in patriotic education.

President Xi pointed out that patriotic education had provided a solid sociopolitical foundation for implementing in Macao the principle of “One country, two systems”, and that Macao was on the right track in such implementation: this had led to social and economic prosperity.

Upon arrival at the school, President Xi; accompanied by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, was greeted by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng.

President Xi said that in May he had received letters from students of the Premier School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School, and was deeply touched by the patriotism expressed in the letters.

He added that he had already replied to the letters and was happy to meet the students in person today.

President Xi watched a demonstration of teaching and chatted with students at the school, to learn more about patriotic education in Macao.

President Xi was especially interested in the history and cultural-education curriculum of primary and secondary schools in Macao.

He pointed out that the structure known as a school curriculum was an important medium for patriotic education: he commended the Macao SAR Government for co-editing – with mainland China authorities – school textbooks.

He said he hoped more schools in Macao could adopt the new textbooks, and he urged teachers to convey to students – in a more engaging way – the content of the textbooks, so that such teachings would be etched on the hearts of students.  

According to President Xi, it was necessary for people learn about the indignities suffered by China since the Opium Wars, before the Chinese people’s aspiration for national rejuvenation could be fully understood.

He encouraged Macao’s education authorities and schools to play jointly the role of main advocate of patriotic education, and so ensure patriotic education was continuously improved. 

President Xi said he was confident that Macao’s youngsters would play useful roles in the future and make Macao and the country proud.

The Director of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Mr Lou Pak Sang, and the Principal of Hou Kong Middle School, Mr Iao Tun Ieong, briefed President Xi on, respectively, the development of patriotic education in Macao and the history of Hou Kong Middle School.

During the school tour, President Xi was invited to view wooden blocks assembled by students, as well as innovative designs created by students. They included a system to assist with night-time parking of vehicles, and a guide cane for the blind, fitted with an audio-based navigation system.

Four students who had earlier written to President Xi, presented to him a commemorative book featuring his letters of reply.

In return, President Xi presented as gifts to the school some books and musical instruments as mementoes of his visit.

Those accompanying President Xi on the visit included the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhang Xiaoming, and the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Fu Ziying.