On October 27, the first “Hong Kong Youth Essay and Recitation Competition” was held at the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Wong Hok Ngan Secondary School, organized by the Hong Kong Youth Patriotism Education Foundation and supported by the Hong Kong SAR Government’s patriotism education working group, along with various collaborating institutions. Nearly 500 attendees, including representatives from coordinating organizations, students, school representatives, and media, participated in the finals and award ceremony.
During the event, Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary for Administration, Chris Tang, emphasized that literature is a vital component of Chinese culture. He stated that reading literary classics and understanding their ideological and cultural depth can spark creativity and writing talent. He further explained that recitation is not just an artistic expression but also a means of cultural inheritance. Through recitation, participants can appreciate the beauty of the language, savor the emotions of the authors, and feel the charm of Chinese culture, which in turn enhances cultural confidence and national pride. This competition offers a valuable opportunity for students to express their love for their country and culture through writing and recitation, promoting traditional Chinese values and nurturing patriotic sentiments.
In his speech, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Youth Patriotism Education Foundation, Chan Hong Tao, highlighted the importance of instilling a sense of national consciousness and love for the homeland among the youth, linking this to the rejuvenation of the nation and the future of the ethnic community. He noted that the sense of identity, national pride, and strong cultural confidence displayed in the students’ essays were both heartwarming and inspiring. This genuine emotion and unwavering confidence not only reflect the young generation of Hong Kong’s strong commitment to perpetuating Chinese culture and spirit but also demonstrate their hopeful and forward-looking mindset, signaling that they are poised to contribute positively to the continuation of Chinese civilization.
Additionally, the event featured the launch of the new book “United with China: Selected Outstanding Essays by Hong Kong Primary and Secondary School Students,” which was compiled by the Hong Kong Youth Patriotism Education Foundation. The book contains 120 selected entries from the competition, along with remarkable excerpts from over 300 other submissions, making it Hong Kong’s first collection of essays for primary and secondary students centered on the theme of patriotism.
