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"No Such Thing as Separation of Powers in the World," National Security Judge Lectures Educators, Despite Claiming It's HK's System 10 Years Ago

As the Hong Kong Government begins to enforce #NationalSecurityEducation in schools, the #EducationBureau held an online seminar on the rule of law, led by Judge Patrick Chan Siu-oi, in which high school teachers received the government's latest views on the rule of law.

Patrick Chan is a non-permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal, and is part of the panel of judges handling the bail application of Next Digital's #JimmyLai, who is currently under custody on national security charges.

Chan began the seminar by telling the attending teachers that what he was about to say may be different from their past knowledge, and "if it's not the same, then please hear me out."

According to Chan, the term "separation of powers" was inaccurate, nor was the mention of "three" powers in the usual Chinese translation of the term. He claimed that many political systems do not have three branches, and calling it a separation of three powers "sounded like they're bracing themselves for a brawl". Instead, he called it a "distribution of duties", saying it was more accurate and "sounded more gentle". If checks and balances were too stringent, he added, it would make for an inefficient government.

Chan further claimed that no country in the world operates a true separation of powers. He cited the US government as an example, saying that the Senate, House of Representatives, and court judges consist of members from the two major political parties, thus the three branches overlap each other. In the British government, he said, the prime minister is the leader of the largest party in Parliament, therefore the legislative branch is also the executive branch.

Interestingly, in a 2011 seminar - merely 10 years ago - Judge Chan claimed that Hong Kong implements a separation of powers. At the time, he stated that the separation of powers prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful, leading to abuses of its power. He also noted that the Basic Law's clauses 59-65, 66-79, and 80-96 prescribe separate duties to the three branches of government. The key was whether the branches could keep each others' powers in check, he noted at the time.

source: Apple Daily #Feb4
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20210204/EEP2GE3ZN5BBFPLL3N2BBZIGTQ/

#SeparationofPowers #Education #BrainWash
Beijing official in Hong Kong warns against foreign meddling
 
Beijing's top official in Hong Kong on Thursday warned foreign forces not to interfere with the "bottom line" of national security in the city, threatening retaliation amid tensions between China and Western powers.

Canada, the U.S., Britain and their allies have condemned China's tightening control over Hong Kong's freedoms, including the sweeping national-security law and electoral reforms that have all but silenced the once-vibrant opposition in the semi-autonomous region.

"When it is time, actions must be taken in relation to any external or foreign forces that may interfere in Hong Kong affairs or attempts to use Hong Kong as a pawn," Luo Huining, director of the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong, said at the opening ceremony for Hong Kong's National Security Education Day.

Source: CBC #Apr15

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/china-warning-1.5988767

#Beijing #HongKong #Canada #US #Britain #NationalSecurityEducation
Hong Kong's “National Education Calendar” suggests discussing #ChineseCommunistParty development and watching three "patriotic anti-Japanese" films a year

In a letter to all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, the Education Bureau (#EDB) "strongly recommended" schools to "fully and systematically" implement learning activities for #NationalSecurityEducation.

The bureau attached a calendar of "important dates" on the national education curriculum, as well as suggested learning activities for each. These recommendations include watching patriotic or anti-Japanese war movies on three memorial dates related to the anti-Japanese war; holding memorial ceremonies on "mourning day for Nanjing Massacre Victims"; celebrating the "102nd Anniversary of the founding of the #CCP" with discussions on the Party's development, etc.

The EDB had also made it mandatory for all primary and secondary schools to fly the Chinese flag on all school days, as well as to hold a weekly flag-raising ceremony, complete with singing the Chinese national anthem. Secretary of Education Christine Choi says that, as the youth is the future pillars of society, schools must instill in students the concept of the nation, as well as national identity and pride, in order to develop them into a new generation of "knowledgeable, responsible youths who love the country and love Hong Kong".

[Editor's notes: Many China-produced television dramas and films about fighting the Japanese during World War 2 are characterized by their nationalistic nature. They are also known for "over-the-top violence and implausible plot events." For more information, check out this report by Hong Kong Free Press:

Patriotic comedies? Japanese author compiles an encyclopaedia of Chinese anti-Japan dramas
https://hongkongfp.com/2018/05/06/patriotic-comedies-japanese-author-compiles-encyclopaedia-chinese-anti-japan-dramas/ ]

Source: In-Media HK #Aug02
https://bit.ly/3zSgzGw

#Education #EducationBureau #NationalSecurityLaw #AntiJapan #Brainwashing #Nationalism
#HongKong Government publishes "correct" view of Hong Kong #History, claims 1997 was not a "#handover"

In the name of reforming the secondary school curriculum, the Hong Kong government had replaced Liberal Studies with “Civic and Social Development”. The textbook content has also been changed to explicitly state that Hong Kong was never a British colony.

In an article uploaded to its website on August 2, 2022, the Education Bureau (#EDB) explained the government's official version of history, saying that the ceremony on 1st July 1997 was not a “handover of Hong Kong” but a “transfer of sovereignty”. The education bureau argues that denying Hong Kong being a former British colony doesn’t mean it rejects Hong Kong’s history of being occupied by Britain, but stresses that the word “colony” was inappropriate.

The 1,500-word article is available in Chinese only.

Source: In-Media #Aug02
https://bit.ly/3OMSxRr

#Education #CCP #EducationBureau #BritishColony #NationalSecurityEducation #RewritingHistory
Hong Kong Schools Schedule National Security Education Activities, Mainland Exchange Tours

Following the Education Bureau's (#EDB) push to increase emphasis on "Citizenship and National Security Education", many Hong Kong schools have scheduled numerous activities around patriotic topics.

Read more:
Hong Kong's “National Education Calendar” suggests discussing #ChineseCommunistParty development and watching three "patriotic anti-Japanese" films a year
https://t.me/BeWaterHK/866

According to the "Primary School Profiles 2022" published by the EDB in September, these activities include exchange trips with schools in mainland China and quiz competitions. Out of the 500-plus primary schools in Hong Kong, 59 will be organizing flag-raising teams this year.

HKFEW Wong Cho Bau School, run by the pro-Beijing Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (#HKFEW), plans to establish exchange tours with sister schools in mainland China. The school aims to "deepen the students' knowledge of the history and culture of the motherland" through poetry reading, studying Chinese music and water painting.

Alliance Primary School in Kowloon Tong, ranked among the top primary schools in the city, will host a "Life in the Mainland Experience Tour" in primary year 5, "to let students gain a deeper understanding of student life in poorer areas, and to learn to give and be thankful". ELCHK Hung Hom Lutheran Primary School will have "scholarship tours", sending students abroad on exchanges with sister schools in places such as Canada and Beijing, so they could learn more about the world and the motherland. Several schools belonging to the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals will also participate in the EDB's mainland exchange program.

Many schools have followed the EDB's suggested calendars and planned events on "important dates". ELCHK Faith Love Lutheran School explains: "Through activities such as Nanjing Massacre memorial day, constitution day, flag-raising ceremonies, and Speeches under the National Flag, students will learn National Security Education, and develop their concept of their country and respect for rule of law."

[editor's note: "Speeches under the National Flag" is a routine part of flag-raising ceremonies in China's schools, featuring speeches by teachers and outstanding students, as well as individuals deemed "model workers" by the Communist Party. The practice is prescribed under China's National Flag Law, so that students from kindergarten onward could "develop a sense of duty to love the country."]

In addition to events on "important dates", many schools are integrating national security education into their regular curriculum. Diocesan Girls' Junior School and SKH Chi Fu Chi Nam Primary School are among the schools who stated this intention.

source: In-Media HK #Sep04

https://bit.ly/3CXtNDM

#NationalEducation #NationalSecurityLaw #NationalFlagLaw #Education #Mainlandization