China passes patriotic education law for children, families

China’s national legislature on Tuesday passed a law to strengthen patriotic education for children and families, to counter challenges such as “historical nihilism” and safeguard “national unity”.
State-backed Xinhua news agency reported, the Patriotic Education Law provides a legal guarantee for carrying out patriotic education, adding that some people “are at a loss about what is patriotism.”
“Historical nihilism” is a phrase used in China to describe public doubt and scepticism over the Chinese Communist Party’s description of past events.
The law, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, outlines the responsibilities for central and local government departments as well as in schools and for families.
Xinhua said, “While it is enacted to promote patriotism, the law stresses the need to be rational, inclusive and open-minded, open the country wider to the world and embrace other civilisations.”
It said, the law mandates that patriotic education respects the “history and cultural traditions of other countries and draws inspiration from all of human civilization’s outstanding achievements.”