John Lee Urges PLA Summer Camp Graduates to Stand Firm Against Challenges
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Over 500 Hong Kong youth completed their two-week military training at the People's Liberation Army's annual summer camp on Sunday, receiving Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's call to stand firm against challenges ahead. The 19th Hong Kong Youth Military Summer Camp and 13th Military Life Experience Camp concluded at San Wai Barracks in Fanling, where graduates performed a flag-raising ceremony with the PLA's three-service honor guard. Lee emphasized discipline, teamwork, and three guiding principles for contributing to Hong Kong's stability and national rejuvenation. He described the training as an opportunity for young people to tap into their potential to overcome future adversity, believing the trainees would leave with a deeper patriotic commitment after witnessing military dedication first-hand .
Key Points
- The closing ceremony took place at San Wai Barracks in Fanling for the 19th Hong Kong Youth Military Summer Camp and the 13th Military Life Experience Camp
- Over 500 youth graduated after two weeks of intensive drills, with the PLA's three-service honor guard passing the national flag for the flag-raising ceremony
- One secondary school student described tanned skin as the most visible change and mastered folding blankets into crisp "tofu block" shapes
- The daily schedule included four hours of morning drills featuring military positions of attention and uniform marching, with the final three days pushing participants' limits
- Lee called on graduates to uphold three principles: prioritize interests of country and Hong Kong, hone skills to rise to challenges, and put learning into action
Why It Matters
The summer camp program provides Hong Kong youth with firsthand experience of military discipline and dedication, which authorities believe will strengthen their patriotic commitment. Lee's three guiding principles—prioritizing national and Hong Kong interests, developing skills to meet challenges, and applying learning to contribute to stability and rejuvenation—reflect the broader civic education goals of the administration . This initiative comes as the government continues its push for patriotic education among Hong Kong's younger generation .
The summer camp program provides Hong Kong youth with firsthand experience of military discipline and dedication, which authorities believe will strengthen their patriotic commitment. Lee's three guiding principles—prioritizing national and Hong Kong interests, developing skills to meet challenges, and applying learning to contribute to stability and rejuvenation—reflect the broader civic education goals of the administration . This initiative comes as the government continues its push for patriotic education among Hong Kong's younger generation .