Mark anniversary of Chinese victory over Japan, Hong Kong minister urges schools

Hong Kong’s education minister has asked schools to hold events to mark the 80th anniversary of China’s World War II victory over Japan in the new academic year, while urging kindergartens to take the opportunity to instil patriotism in pupils.

In a social media post on Sunday, Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin shared two letters that were sent separately to local schools and kindergartens on Friday.

“I encourage schools to arrange commemorative and learning activities to deepen students’ understanding of the history of the [war of resistance against Japanese aggression], remember the indomitable spirit of the martyrs in defending the country, and cultivate a sense of national pride and a sense of responsibility to pass down history,” she said.

To mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the global defeat of fascism, there will be a military parade in Beijing on Wednesday. The term is commonly used by Beijing to refer to the Second Sino-Japanese War, which was part of World War II.

In 2014, the National People’s Congress designated September 3 as Victory Day to celebrate the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on September 2, 1945.

In Choi’s letter to primary and secondary schools, she advised teachers to utilise digital education tools, apply artificial intelligence more in teaching and run sports meets involving athletes as extracurricular activities to encourage students to exercise.