A Hong Kong education official told the Global Times Thursday that controversial parts of the Moral and National Education (MNE) are now being discussed by experts.

An official surnamed Lai at the education bureau's Moral, Civic and National Education Section told the Global Times that the controversial contents are being discussed by experts who are providing advice on the issue.

A news report on People's Daily Online Wednesday quoted Eddie Ng Hak-kim, secretary for Education of Hong Kong, as saying that the special administrative region's government had already deleted the contentious content in the national education course.

Meanwhile, Ng confirmed that the deadline for requiring schools to launch the course within three years has been cancelled, which was also confirmed by the Education Bureau Thursday when reached by the Global Times.

"Whether the controversial content has been deleted or not, the cancellation of the deadline and a discussion about erasing some content show an attitude of compromise on behalf of the Hong Kong government," Chen Lijun, a professor studying politics in Hong Kong and Macao at the Sun Yat-sen University, told the Global Times.

Hong Kong officials made the concession after mass protests in front of the government building last week and a strike staged by college students this week. Many locals deemed the guide book on moral and national education released this April as "brainwashing."

"Hong Kong people think highly of freedom in their society, and they are unlikely to accept the concept of this course, which is seen as obligatory patriotic education," said Chen.

"The strike is still on in our university and involves thousands of students from other universities," a graduate student from the University of Hong Kong, surnamed Liao, told the Global Times.

"I didn't participate, but one of my friends involved in the action said they will not stop until the guide book is withdrawn and national education disappears from public sight," said Liao.

"The Hong Kong government has to take a positive stance in solving the problem by garnering public opinions," said Chen, adding that respecting Hong Kong people's freedom by asking their opinions during policymaking is the correct way to deal with the issue.