Hong Kong DSE: citizen and social development exam ‘easy’, some students say

Exam paper asks candidates to discuss Hong Kong’s strengths in promoting Chinese culture and the influence of China’s foreign aid

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The paper also required students to discuss Hong Kong’s strengths in promoting Chinese culture. Photo: Jelly Tse

Published: 9:03pm, 8 Apr 2025

About 48,000 candidates sat the citizen and social development (CSD) paper in Hong Kong’s university entrance exams on Tuesday, with students asked to discuss the city’s strengths in promoting Chinese culture and the influence of China’s foreign aid.

A teacher who reviewed the paper in this year’s Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) examination said it offered more global perspectives, while some students who took the test described it as “easy”. The inaugural exam in the subject was held last year.

The subject replaced liberal studies, which was overhauled in 2021 following criticism by pro-establishment lawmakers, who blamed it for fuelling youth violence during the 2019 social unrest. They also said some teaching materials were biased.

The new subject focuses on understanding national security and strengthening pupils’ sense of national identity.

One question this year asked candidates to discuss how China could expand its international influence through foreign aid based on materials provided and their own knowledge. Another question asked them to explain how such aid could improve the lives of those who received it.

The materials provided included a photo of trainees learning about caring for newborn babies in a programme organised by China in Tanzania in 2017.