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HK handover 20th anniversary
Opinion

Hongkongers should heed Xi Jinping’s words and re-educate themselves on Chinese history

Tian Feilong says the president’s insightful review of Hong Kong and Chinese history on his recent visit to the city carries an important message – it’s time for people to gain a more mature understanding of their shared destiny, or risk serious damage to ‘one country, two systems’

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Tian Feilong says the president’s insightful review of Hong Kong and Chinese history on his recent visit to the city carries an important message – it’s time for people to gain a more mature understanding of their shared destiny, or risk serious damage to ‘one country, two systems’
Tian Feilong
President Xi Jinping’s stance and rationale are clear. And such clarity will boost efforts by the central and SAR governments to educate the young in history and politics, to better shape their identification with the nation. Illustration: Craig Stephens
President Xi Jinping’s stance and rationale are clear. And such clarity will boost efforts by the central and SAR governments to educate the young in history and politics, to better shape their identification with the nation. Illustration: Craig Stephens
On his recent visit to Hong Kong to mark the handover anniversary, President Xi Jinping ( 習近平 ) delivered a speech reviewing at length the history of Hong Kong and the mainland. He denounced colonialism, and lauded the rise of nationalism as just and fair. How China’s top leader viewed Hong Kong’s history since 1840 – on the occasion of this historic moment – will have a great bearing on various issues relating to “one country, two systems”.

Xi’s stance and rationale are clear. And such clarity will boost efforts by the central and the SAR governments to educate the young in history and politics, to better shape their identification with the nation. It will help these youth develop, gradually, an understanding of history from the perspective of love for the nation and Hong Kong.

Watch: Xi Jinping speaks on ‘one country, two systems’

President Xi Jinping’s four key points for moving forward under ‘one country, two systems’

Five strands of thought stand out in Xi’s speech.

First, an understanding of modern Chinese history as one marked by suffering.

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