Government accused of 'rolling out the red carpet' for pro-Beijing official

Christine Choi Yuk-lin, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Officers, visited the Department of Education in London this week. Photo: South China Morning Post/Nora Tam

The government is accused of «rolling out the red carpet» for one of the masterminds of Hong Kong's crackdown on academic freedom.

Christine Choi Yuk-ling, the territory's education minister, was accepted by Damien Hinds at the Department of Education this week in what pro-democracy campaigners say is a propaganda coup for the pro-Beijing official.

And a passionate supporter of the draconian National Security Law, Ms. Choi has increasingly forced schools to implement Beijing-approved curricula and practices, such as raising the Chinese flag and singing the national anthem.

She has also played a key role in forcing new teachers to take the national security test.

Hundreds of teachers have left the territory over the past three years, including many in the UK.

Ms Choi was due to attend a major international technology exhibition in schools in London, where she was speaking on a panel with Sir Anthony Seldon discussing artificial intelligence in education.

This event, British Educational Training and Technology Exhibition , was opened by Education Minister Gillian Keegan.

Pressure to cancel

However, after advocacy groups and Conservative MPs said it was inappropriate for Ms Keegan to appear at the same event, Ms Choi's meeting was cancelled. , and the organizers refer to “logistical problems.”

The DfE had previously defended Ms Keegan's presence, saying there would be «no formal interaction» between them.

However, they remained silent while Ms Choi was invited to a meeting with one of their ministers .

Since then, the ministry has been reluctant to reveal the nature of the matter discussed.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who was sanctioned by Beijing for criticizing its actions in Hong Kong, accused ministers of being “ignorant” or “naive” «

«I find it somewhat surprising that this person, responsible for the National Security Act, which led to the repression of students, is welcomed in this country,» he said.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Freedom Committee Foundation said: “It is appalling that Hong Kong's pro-Beijing education minister, Dr Choi Yuklin, met with education secretary Damien Hinds to 'discuss education developments in Hong Kong and the UK.'

' We must not roll out the red carpet for hostile foreign leaders.”