After the end of the "anti-extradition" movement, the Hong Kong authorities, with support from Beijing, have vigorously promoted patriotic and historical education. The latest initiative involves youth from Hong Kong and Macau retracing the route of the Chinese Communist Party's Long March, with Hong Kong Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki even traveling to Ruijin City in Jiangxi Province to host the launch ceremony.
The Hong Kong government announced that on Monday (the 11th), Chan Kwok-ki attended and delivered a speech at the launch ceremony of the "Inheriting the Spirit of the Long March, Continuing the Red Bloodline"—Hong Kong and Macau Youth Retrace the Long March Route series of exchange activities in Ruijin.
According to the announcement, Xu Xiao, Chairman of the All-China Youth Federation, Zhang Ying, Vice Governor of Jiangxi Province, Mok Ian Ian, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macau, and Chen Wei, Director of the Fourth Bureau of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, also attended the ceremony.
In his speech, Chan Kwok-ki stated that the Hong Kong government is focused on deepening young people's understanding of the country's history and development, fostering their sense of national pride and ownership, and nurturing a strong sense of patriotism.
He said that so far, the Hong Kong government has approved more than 40 exchange projects related to the "90th Anniversary of the Victory of the Long March" theme, offering over 2,000 opportunities for Hong Kong youth to visit relevant provinces, study history, and inherit the spirit of the Long March.
According to online sources, the Long March took place from 1934 to 1936, during which Communist forces conducted a strategic retreat to evade encirclement, setting out from Ruijin and eventually reaching their base in northern Shaanxi. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Long March.
The Hong Kong government did not specify in its announcement the number of Hong Kong youth participating in this event. In addition, while Hong Kong sent its Chief Secretary to personally host the launch ceremony, Macau was represented by the lower-ranking Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture.