US Condemns Hong Kong’s Alleged Repression of Schools Celebrating US Independence Day

The remarks followed posts from a Facebook page run by a former manager at the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority citing whistleblowers.

Pedestrians pass the U.S. Consulate building in Hong Kong on March 15, 2021. Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong condemned the Hong Kong government after Hong Kong schools were allegedly warned against attending U.S. Independence Day celebrations.

“We condemn the Hong Kong government’s repression of U.S. Independence Day celebrations and interference in U.S. consulate-hosted events. Its attempts to characterize these activities as ‘unlawful’ only further reveal its insecurity and fear of freedom,” a spokesperson for the U.S. Consulate said.

The spokesperson said U.S. embassies and consulates around the world host events every year to celebrate Independence Day, and that the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau will host a private reception in Hong Kong this year to deepen the “longstanding friendship between the people in Hong Kong and the United States.”

The remarks followed social media posts from Edu Lancet, a Facebook page run by Hans Yeung, a former manager at the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority. Edu Lancet cited information from anonymous whistleblowers from multiple schools.

In a post published on June 18, Edu Lancet alleged that several schools had received a reminder from regional education offices warning teachers to “be cautious “ about U.S. Independence Day Celebrations held by the U.S. Consulate.

Edu Lancet published a screenshot of what appears to be a message in a group chat. In the message, teachers of a school were reminded to stay away from the event to “avoid violating the National Security Law and Hong Kong laws.”

It goes on to say, “If you learn that any students are participating, please put their protection first and discourage them from participating.”

In a separate post published on the same day, Edu Lancet included a screenshot of part of an email purportedly from a middle school principal to all teachers.

“As I had reminded the teachers in previous staff meetings, teachers should seek prior approval from the Principal if they are invited by any embassy or any organization funded by any embassy to join any activity by themselves or involving students. It is very important for us to safeguard national security,” the English message said.

On June 22, Edu Lancet posted messages from a “teacher friend” saying the regional education office called and asked the principal to “make sure to apply” to the office first if the school was invited by any consulate.

“The principal said we must not break the rule. Because once we broke the rule, the regional education office would have to spend a long time explaining, and we wouldn’t be able to carry out regular work. To avoid disturbing the school, we have to follow the guidelines,” the message said.

A spokesperson for Hong Kong’s Education Bureau directed The Epoch Times to a statement published on its website. The statement didn’t confirm or deny the alleged reminders.

It says the bureau had issued detailed guidance, requiring schools to set up mechanisms to carry out work related to safeguarding national security and national security education.

The statement also said the Education Bureau would “constantly monitor and support schools” in implementing such work “via various channels.”