Shenzhen-Hong Kong Principals' Forum held in celebration of 25th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR (with photos)
17.11.2022

The Education Bureau (EDB) and Shenzhen Municipal Education Bureau co-organised the "Shenzhen-Hong Kong Principals' Forum cum Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" in person and online in parallel today (November 17). Entitled "The Way Forward for Educational Development under the National 14th Five-Year Plan", the forum attracted more than 350 principals of primary and secondary schools, kindergartens and special schools from Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Macao, and other Greater Bay Area cities to join. The forum was officiated by the Director of the Shenzhen Municipal Education Bureau, Mr Chen Qiuming, and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin. Speaking at the event, Dr Choi said that the National 14th Five-Year Plan set out the role and positioning of Hong Kong in the overall development of the country, as well as the room for development and opportunities in various areas of particular importance. She pointed out that school management has the responsibility to facilitate teachers' and students' understanding of the blueprint for national development and the positioning of Hong Kong, and to assist Hong Kong youth in understanding the development trend of the country and the rest of the world. This would enable them to fully understand the principle of "one country, two systems" and the unique advantages of Hong Kong; and enhance their national pride and sense of being the masters, with an aim of helping their integration into the overall development of the country building on their own strengths. Dr Choi stressed that with the objective of cultivating values, the EDB would strengthen students' understanding of Chinese history and Chinese culture, enable students to cultivate an affection for the country, and respect and safeguard the country's fundamental systems of their own volition. The EDB would join with the education sector in nurturing students to become top talents who are able and virtuous, with a sense of responsibility, vision, and love for the country and the city, and ready for future challenges and opportunities. Since 2011, the Education Bureaux of Shenzhen Municipality and Hong Kong have jointly organised the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Principals' Forum with a view to promoting educational exchanges and cooperation between the two places. The forum also arranged breakout sessions in the afternoon to facilitate sharing of teaching experience among principals from Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The keynote speakers were the Chairman of the Research Grants Council and Emeritus President of the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Professor Wong Yuk-shan; and the former Director of the Shenzhen Municipal Education Bureau and former Chairperson of the University Council of the Southern University of Science and Technology, Ms Guo Yurong. Other attending guests included the Deputy Division Director of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Dr Chen Zhilu; and the Director of the Office for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the Education Department of Guangdong Province, Mr Li Jinjun.