The Chinese national anthem should be played more often in schools and on radio and TV to promote national pride among the young.

President of East Kowloon Youth Society Roy Cheung said this yesterday at a press conference, which announced the results of a recent study on the significance of the Chinese national anthem on national identity.

"The national anthem is symbolic of a country's pride and identity. Coinciding with the 85th anniversary of the historic May Fourth Movement, we hope to generate discussion of youth patriotism with the findings of our study," Cheung told reporters.

The survey, carried out last month, interviewed more than 1,000 young people in the territory.

Results of the study indicate that more than 80 per cent of respondents have previously heard the national anthem, while about 60 per cent thought the anthem should be played to enhance the national pride of the younger generation.

Among those interviewed, more than 50 per cent were in favour of radio and TV playing the national anthem on a daily basis.

And 40 per cent of the interviewees said they were registered voters in the district council elections last year.

"Amid current political debates, young people are actively participating in Hong Kong's constitutional development. With a better understanding of the motherland, the younger generation will learn more about their national identity and civic duties," Cheung added.

"I think the national anthem is a symbol of national feelings, but playing it alone will do little to promote patriotism," said a woman who was only willing to identify herself as Mrs Lo.

Associate Dean of the Social Sciences Faculty at City University Joshua Mok said playing the national anthem daily might be a counterproductive measure.

"In a polarized political climate, top-down government measures to promote nationalism could have the reverse effect of alienating the territory's youths. National feelings are multi-faceted, and the younger generation might not identify with the national anthem per se," Mok told China Daily.

"In the longer term, the government must focus efforts on public education, while putting more emphasis on China-related topics within local school curricula," he said.

Responding to the survey, a spokesman of the Joint Committee for the Promotion of the Basic Law said the national anthem should only be played at important occasions.

"The national anthem symbolizes important Chinese values, and we think it should be played more often. But the development of youth national identity requires concerted efforts of the whole society," he said.

Source: China Daily