Two schools in Hong Kong have been accused of singing the national anthem “too weakly”.
Teachers at a third school have been asked to help pupils “get used to it and gain confidence” in singing the song.
The statements are seen as part of an influence campaign by China, to crush Hong Kong’s independence.
Since 2020, Hong Kong’s government has placed an increasingly high value on patriotic education, something that is now visible in the criticism directed at several schools, reports BBC.
At the Hong Kong and Macau Lutheran Church Primary School, the students’ singing voices were called “low and weak”. When students sang the national anthem at Yan Chai Hospital Lim Por Yen Secondary School, teachers were asked to “help students develop the habit of singing the national anthem loudly and in unison”.
And these are just some of the statements made by the Hong Kong Education Authority after inspecting schools and interviewing staff and parents.
Weakens Hong Kong’s independence
Several schools have also been urged to strengthen the focus on patriotic education in the curriculum. This is in line with China’s new law to include patriotic education in schools and workplaces, which came in January.
Beijing says the law aims to “unite thoughts” and “gather strength to build a strong country”, but critics say this is yet another way for China to weaken Hong Kong’s independence.
Part of an influence campaign from China
Since 2020, when China cracked down on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, several laws have been introduced to bolster patriotism and thereby increase China’s control over the city.
Among other things, the protest song Glory to Hong Kong has been banned and several people have been imprisoned. The education authority’s latest moves are seen as part of China’s campaign.