Hong Kong students strike over “national education” plan

Thousands of students in Hong Kong have begun a hunger strike over the Chinese government’s plans to introduce a “national education” curriculum.

Critics of the measure on the former British colony claim it is an attempt by Beijing to brainwash children with propaganda.

One student union leader described the national education plan as a political mission: “We had no countermeasure, no way out so we’ve been forced to escalate our action by staging this hunger strike.”

Last month, up to 90,000 parents, teachers and students took the streets to protest against the lessons which are due to begin on Monday.

The government says the classes are important to foster a “sense of national belonging and identity” amid rising anti-Beijing sentiment.

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