China’s No 3 official warns Macau teachers against spreading ‘evil thoughts’ in veiled shot at Hong Kong separatists
Zhang Dejiang reminds educators of their importance as pro-independence sentiment bubbles away in Hong Kong universities
China’s No 3 official has warned educators in the former Portuguese enclave of Macau against “instilling selfish desires and evil thoughts” into the minds of young people, in comments quickly labelled a veiled attack on the spread of pro-independence sentiment at schools and universities in neighbouring Hong Kong.
Zhang Dejiang, chairman of China’s national legislature, was speaking a day after he heaped praise on Macau for its patriotism and regard for national security, holding up the special administrative region as an example to its counterpart across the Pearl River Delta of how to meet Beijing’s expectations.
Before boarding a flight out of the gambling hub at the end of a three-day visit, Zhang, the state leader in charge of Hong Kong and Macau affairs, was asked if his comments were aimed at Hong Kong, which has been far less pliant to Beijing’s influence than Macau since the two former colonies were returned to China under deals that allowed them to retain a high degree of autonomy.
“This trip has been very successful, I am very satisfied,” was Zhang’s reply.
Zhang’s last stop on Wednesday was Macau University’s Hengqin campus, in the neighbouring city of Zhuhai, just across the border in mainland China. Beijing awarded the site to Macau on special terms in 2009 to encourage the city to diversify its economy and wean itself off overreliance on gaming.
