NPC leader wants government to watch HK youth, introduce patriotic curriculum

China’s third-ranked leader wants the central government to tighten its grip on Hong Kong and its youth, according to a report by Reuters.
 
In a closed-door session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) (China’s “rubber-stamp” parliament in Beijing), Zhang Dejiang, NPC leader, said the “illegal” Umbrella Movement that crippled parts of Hong Kong last year underscores the importance of monitoring young people in the city.
 
In addition, Zhang also wants action taken on the recent conflicts between Hongkongers and mainland tourists, who Hong Kong citizens blame for increasing rents, overcrowding and cross-border smuggling.
 
Zhang was quoted by Xinhua news agency, an official Chinese mouthpiece, as telling Hong Kong representatives to “carry forward the honourable tradition of loving China, Hong Kong and Macau” and to “contribute to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, security and development, and maintaining its stability”.
 
He also warned Hongkongers not to “cross the line”, and said he is open to the idea of introducing an education curriculum that is more focused on Chinese patriotism.

That’ll teach those meddling kids who is in charge!
 
Or…
 
It could spark a repeat of the 2012 protests against the introduction of nationalist materials into the Hong Kong curriculum, which saw the central government eventually forced to back down.

Photo: Kevin Dharmawan
 

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