Our Country and National Identity
BasicKnowing China's political system, ethnic composition, citizenship concepts, national symbols and recent achievements — and how Hong Kong and the nation support each other — builds the basis of national identity.
- Article 1: the socialist system is fundamental; the People's Congress system lets the people exercise state power
- China is a unified multi-ethnic country; 56 ethnic groups are all equal (Article 4)
- Chinese citizenship follows the Nationality Law; Hong Kong residents are permanent or non-permanent
文體小知識：國情知識說明文——介紹國家政治體制、民族構成、公民概念、國家象徵與近年成就等基礎國情。
§Text Passage
1China's political system is based on the Constitution: Article 1 states that the socialist system is the fundamental system of the People's Republic of China. All power belongs to the people, who exercise state power through the National People's Congress and local people's congresses, while the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference contributes through political consultation, democratic supervision and participation in state affairs.
2China is a unified multi-ethnic country with 56 ethnic groups, and Article 4 of the Constitution states that all ethnic groups are equal. On citizenship, anyone with PRC nationality is a Chinese citizen; the Basic Law divides Hong Kong residents into permanent and non-permanent residents, whose rights differ.
3The national flag, emblem and anthem are national symbols with deep meanings: the red of the five-star flag symbolises revolution and the five stars symbolise the great unity of the people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China; the related national laws are implemented in Hong Kong under Annex III of the Basic Law. In recent years the country has made remarkable achievements in high technology, healthcare, culture and education, infrastructure and poverty alleviation.
4Hong Kong and the nation achieve things together: national policies support Hong Kong's development, and 'One Country, Two Systems' lets Hong Kong rely on the country's vast market and momentum. Hong Kong also contributes by promoting exchange, donating to disaster relief and supporting less-developed regions. Knowing the country's situation and achievements is the knowledge basis of national identity.
1Summary 重點摘要
Knowing China's political system, ethnic composition, citizenship concepts, national symbols and recent achievements — and how Hong Kong and the nation support each other — builds the basis of national identity.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
The fundamental system of the state, stated in Article 1 of the Constitution.
The system by which the people exercise state power through elected people's congresses.
The highest organ of state power, making laws, electing state leaders and deciding major matters.
Composed of parties, groups and people from all walks of life; it performs political consultation, democratic supervision and participation in state affairs.
China has 56 ethnic groups, all equal under Article 4 of the Constitution.
Anyone with PRC nationality, determined under the Constitution and the Nationality Law.
A category of Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law, enjoying the right of abode and, when qualified, the right to vote.
The national flag, emblem and anthem, whose designs carry deep meanings.
Understanding and identifying with one's identity as a national, built on knowing the country.
The country's key effort to lift people out of poverty — one of its major achievements.
3Step by step Steps
- Step 1: The state's fundamental systemUnder Article 1 of the Constitution, the socialist system is the fundamental system of the People's Republic of China. All power belongs to the people, who exercise it through the National People's Congress and local people's congresses: deputies are elected to make laws, elect state leaders and decide major matters on the people's behalf. Understanding the People's Congress system is the starting point of knowing China's politics — use standard terms such as 'the highest organ of state power' accurately in answers.
- Step 2: Political consultationAlongside the People's Congress system, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is another important part of the political structure. Composed of political parties, mass organisations and representatives from all sectors, the CPPCC performs political consultation, democratic supervision and participation in state affairs, so that different views are heard before and during major decisions. Many Hong Kong people serve as CPPCC members, offering views on national development and Hong Kong affairs — a channel linking the two places.
- Step 3: A unified multi-ethnic countryChina is a unified multi-ethnic country with 56 ethnic groups. Article 4 of the Constitution states that all ethnic groups are equal; the state safeguards the lawful rights of ethnic minorities and maintains relationships of equality, unity, mutual assistance and harmony. All groups have built the country and its culture together, so ethnic unity is seen as a key foundation of stability. Citing 'Article 4 of the Constitution' and '56 ethnic groups' is enough to describe the composition and policy accurately.
- Step 4: Chinese citizens and Hong Kong residentsAnyone with PRC nationality is a Chinese citizen, with nationality determined under the Constitution and the Nationality Law. The Basic Law divides Hong Kong residents into permanent and non-permanent residents: permanent residents enjoy the right of abode and, when qualified, the right to vote. Being a Chinese citizen and being a Hong Kong resident are compatible but different concepts — keep them distinct in answers, as confusing the two is a common way to lose marks.
- Step 5: The meanings of national symbolsThe flag, emblem and anthem are the nation's symbols. The red of the five-star flag symbolises revolution, and the five stars symbolise the great unity of the people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China; the emblem shows the Tiananmen Rostrum lit by five stars, encircled by ears of grain and a gear wheel; the anthem 'March of the Volunteers' was born in the years of national crisis. Under Annex III of the Basic Law, the national laws on these symbols are applied in Hong Kong through local legislation, and citizens should treat the symbols with appropriate respect on designated occasions.
- Step 6: Recent national achievementsIn recent years the country has achieved much in many fields: space programmes and high-speed rail in high technology; an improving public health system in healthcare; an expanding higher education sector in education; rapid development of bridges, ports and telecommunications networks in infrastructure; and large reductions in rural poverty through poverty alleviation. These achievements have transformed the country and are key content for understanding national conditions — organise examples by field, with one concrete example each.
- Step 7: Hong Kong's benefits and contributionsThe relationship between Hong Kong and the nation runs both ways. National policies support Hong Kong's development, and 'One Country, Two Systems' lets Hong Kong rely on the country's vast market and momentum while keeping its own strengths. Hong Kong in turn contributes by promoting exchange between the two places, donating to disaster relief and supporting less-developed regions. In answers, present both the 'benefits' and the 'contributions' to show the two-way relationship — this is the most common focus of questions in this topic.
5Worked example Example
Data-response practice: the data states that all power in the country belongs to the people, who exercise state power through the National People's Congress and local people's congresses. Based on the data, explain how the people exercise state power.
- Read the question: it asks 'how the people exercise state power' — the core is the People's Congress system, so stay focused on it
- Explain the system: deputies are elected and form the people's congresses at various levels, exercising state power on the people's behalf
- List the functions: the NPC makes laws, elects state leaders and decides major matters — the highest organ of state power
- Add the complement: the CPPCC performs political consultation, democratic supervision and participation, bringing views from all sectors into decision-making
- Answer: The people exercise state power through the People's Congress system. They elect deputies to form the National People's Congress and local people's congresses, and the deputies exercise their functions on the people's behalf; the NPC is the highest organ of state power, making laws, electing state leaders and deciding major national matters. In addition, the CPPCC performs political consultation, democratic supervision and participation in state affairs, so that the views of parties, groups and all sectors are reflected in decision-making. All power in the country belongs to the people and is exercised through these institutions.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1What is the country's fundamental political system?
Q2How many ethnic groups does China have, and which article states their equality?
Q3Into which two categories does the Basic Law divide Hong Kong residents?
Q4What is China's national anthem?
Q5How can Hong Kong contribute to the country?
8Recap Recap
- Article 1: the socialist system is fundamental; the People's Congress system lets the people exercise state power
- China is a unified multi-ethnic country; 56 ethnic groups are all equal (Article 4)
- Chinese citizenship follows the Nationality Law; Hong Kong residents are permanent or non-permanent
- National symbols are the flag, emblem and anthem; the related laws are in Annex III of the Basic Law
- Hong Kong and the nation achieve together: support from the country, contributions from Hong Kong