Statement by ExCo Non-official Members
The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo Non-official Members) today (February 9) issued the following statement:
The Court of First Instance of the High Court today passed sentences in the Lai Chee-ying case. ExCo Non-official Members stated that Lai Chee-ying and the other defendants in the case endangered national security and undermined social stability, which are serious offences. The court's convictions and the sentences imposed on the defendants have demonstrated the justice of the law, with the court's judgment based strictly on the law and evidence, free from any interference.
ExCo Non-official Members emphasised that the court had conducted an open and fair trial of the Lai Chee-ying case in accordance with the law. Anyone who violates the law must be held accountable, and any actions endangering national security must be severely punished by the law. No one can escape justice. The court's convictions and the severe sentences imposed on the defendants represent a crucial manifestation of resolutely safeguarding national security, implementing the Hong Kong National Security Law and upholding the rule of law. This is of significant importance in preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for acts and activities endangering national security, fully reflecting the steadfast and successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.
ExCo Non-official Members will continue to fully support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in resolutely, fully and faithfully implementing the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, while also upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law.
ExCo Non-official Members emphasised that the court had conducted an open and fair trial of the Lai Chee-ying case in accordance with the law. Photo source: reference image
EDB announces Values Education Curriculum Framework (2026)
The Education Bureau (EDB) today (April 16) announced the Values Education Curriculum Framework (2026) (Curriculum Framework (2026)) prepared by the Standing Committee on Values Education (Standing Committee) under the Curriculum Development Council as a guiding document for schools to plan and implement the values education curriculum.
A spokesperson for the EDB said, "With Chinese culture as its backbone, the Curriculum Framework (2026) sets the overarching direction of "Taking root in Chinese Culture, Connecting with the World, Embracing the Future". It elaborates on major focuses of values education that schools should continuously strengthen, curriculum content, curriculum planning and implementation strategies, and sets out suggestions on expected learning outcomes for students at each key learning stage as well as providing relevant resources and support. It provides schools with a clearer and more forward-looking direction to further enhance values education, and supports schools in equipping students to face current and future opportunities and challenges."
The spokesman continued, "In response to the rapid development of society and technology, the Curriculum Framework (2026) recommends that schools continue to strengthen the learning of Chinese culture, national education, life education, sex education, health education (including anti-drug education, resistance to harmful substances and promotion of physical and psychological well-being), and the relevant content and learning elements of education for sustainable development, as well as fostering students' media and information literacy (covering Artificial Intelligence Literacy), international perspectives, and awareness of 'building a community with a shared future for mankind', with a view to nurturing students to become self-disciplined, committed and aspiring future pillars of society with an affection for Hong Kong, a sense of belonging to our country, as well as an international perspective."
Since the release of the Values Education Curriculum Framework (Pilot Version) in 2021 (Pilot Version), primary and secondary schools, taking into account their respective developmental progress, have made reference to the direction set out in the Pilot Version to review, plan, or refine their existing school-based values education curricula from different entry points. In light of the education policies and curriculum development of our country and Hong Kong, changes in social environment, technological advancement, and students' learning and developmental needs, the Standing Committee, with reference to the Pilot Version, has continuously collected views from relevant stakeholders through various channels including talks, workshops and focus group interviews. With reference to schools' practical experiences and in alignment with updates to various secondary and primary curricula, the Curriculum Framework (2026) was compiled for adoption by all secondary and primary schools in Hong Kong starting from the 2026/27 school year.
To support teachers in promoting values education within and beyond the classroom, the EDB not only organises a variety of teacher professional development courses such as talks, seminars, workshops, visits and study tours, interschool visits and exchanges, on-site support, film appreciation and learning communities, but also continuously develops diversified and down-to-earth learning and teaching resources. They include "Life Events" Exemplars, learning resource webpages, short videos, animations and promotional materials. These resources are progressively uploaded to the EDB's webpage for schools' reference and use. Furthermore, the EDB continues to organise a variety of promotional activities, including the Values Education Promotion Campaign with the theme "Building Our Dream". Schools are encouraged to respond by organising or participating in different forms of values education activities in the 2026/27 school year, with due regard to their own characteristics, annual themes for values education, as well as students' abilities, learning and developmental needs to deepen students' understanding of proper values and put them into practice.
The Values Education Curriculum Framework (2026) has been uploaded to the EDB's website for schools' and teachers' reference.
Source: AI-found images
