Hong Kong's Confucian Academy director Tong Yun-kai wants to build a Confucius Temple in Wong Tai Sin district. Photo: Ta Kung Pao
Confucius’ birthday included in HK official festival calendar
Hong Kong’s leader CY Leung has announced that the government will recognize, starting from this year, the third Sunday of every September as a festival to celebrate the birthday of ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, according to an official press release.
Speaking at a ceremony Sunday to commemorate the sage’s birthday, Leung noted that Confucius’ legacy of ethical principles, which stress self-enlightenment through the Five Virtues of charity, justice, propriety, wisdom and loyalty, are the core values of the Chinese nation.
Hong Kong’s Confucian Academy (HKCA) was established in 1930 and has become one of the most important platforms in the world to spread Confucianism and the culture.
HKCA director Tong Yun-kai said he will donate HK$3.88 million to help build the city’s first Confucius Temple in Wong Tai Sin district.
Some observers have criticized Leung, accusing him of focusing on minor things and not addressing the important issues — such as counteracting the rise in property prices – that he had promised to take care of while running for the chief executive post in 2012.
By legislating Confucius’ birthday as a festival, Leung is “repaying the debt”, given that seven of the ten Confucian members in the Election Committee had nominated him for the top post, a commentary piece in Apple Daily said on Monday.
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Hong Kong will mark the third Sunday of every September as a festival to mark the birthday of ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius. Photo: news.gov.hk
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