Education Chief: Sanctions Make Us More Determined

Education Secretary Kevin Yeung said US sanctions would only make officials here more determined to uphold national security, as he revealed that talks were under way with schools on how to teach about the issue in class.

Speaking on a radio programme on Sunday, Yeung said he had no concerns about the prospect of being hit with sanctions. Washington on Friday announced a list of 11 current and former officials from the SAR and the mainland, led by Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Asked about the possibility that more officials, including himself, could be included in future US actions, Yeung said the long-term interests of the next generation were his priority, not his personal situation.

The minister said the US measures were unreasonable, arbitrary and would not succeed.

Meanwhile Yeung says he's discussing detailed guidelines for national security education with schools, but doesn't underestimate the task at hand. He says teaching about national security will form part of a wider move to promote national identity as part of the school curriculum.

He says teachers will be given training so they can better understand their national identity and their duty to uphold national security.

Yeung says he believes most teachers are professional, but the bureau will deal with those who are not. He says officials are looking at a number of serious accusations of misconduct relating to last year's anti-extradition protests.

He says teachers will be given time to respond to the claims but those found to have committed serious misconduct will be stripped of their professional registration, leaving them unable to work in schools.