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Teenagers should play badminton together in an effort to curb sexual urges and avoid premarital sex, according to guidance issued by Hong Kong’s education authorities.

The teaching materials, published last week, have advised girls and boys to “master their sexual desires” to promote “correct” societal values.

The 70-page document, which will be given to children ages 12 to 14, includes a section telling a boy and girl studying together to “go out to play badminton together in a sports hall” if they become aroused.

Another example stated that a young couple who saw another pair engaging in intimate behaviour should “leave the scene immediately” and go enjoy “the sight of flowers and trees in a park”.

Its critics have branded the document, which refers to premarital sex as “deviant”, as “out of touch” and “regressive”.