Ao Leong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture in Macao, discusses the city during its 25th anniversary of returning to China. The Social Affairs official outlines the patriotic and history education program being provided to the younger generation.
AO LEONG U Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Macao Special Administrative Region, China "Before reunification, Macao's associations had a long history of patriotic traditions. They played significant roles in promoting social aid, communication, and similar activities. Youth associations, in particular, worked to encourage youth participation in social affairs. After reunification, the SAR Government empowered various associations, including social service, education, cultural, and sports youth associations, to actively promote a wide range of social activities benefiting livelihoods and professional development. Patriotic education in Macao is multi-level and diversified. The SAR Government seeks to cultivate students' love for both Macao and the Chinese Mainland from an early age through top-level planning, curriculum and teaching material design, and related activities. Flag-raising ceremonies are now held across all universities, middle schools, and primary schools. Since 2019, the SAR Government has also implemented flag-raising activities in the academic community. With the support of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Garrison in Macao, a series of training programs have been conducted to enable schools to organize proper flag-raising ceremonies. Teachers and students can witness the solemn sight of the five-star red flag flying proudly. To deepen and carry forward these traditions and core values, the SAR Government has designed curriculum and teaching materials focused on patriotism and national security. With the support of the Ministry of Education, over ten sets of educational textbooks and supplementary materials have been published, accompanied by revisions to relevant laws. This year, education on Chinese culture, the Constitution, the Basic Law of Macao, and national security has been further reinforced through updates to the curriculum framework and basic education requirements. Key subjects such as Chinese language, history, morality, and official documents now reflect these enhancements. Additionally, bachelor's degree programs at all higher education institutions now fully cover content related to the Constitution and the Basic Law. In addition to education, efforts are being made to preserve and pass on traditional Chinese culture. Initiatives such as the Macao Culture and Art Youth Program, the Hong Kong and Macao Youth Palace Museum Internship Program, Cultural Heritage Summer Classes for Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao secondary school students, as well as traditional Chinese etiquette and cultural education, have been launched. These programs aim to strengthen cultural self-confidence among young people and promote the inheritance of Chinese culture."