National college entrance examination kicks off in Shanghai

Around 50,000 students in Shanghai are undergoing this year's national college entrance examination, also known as the gaokao, that will last from Tuesday to Thursday.

At the gate of a test site at Shanghai Jincai High School, some teachers and school leaders from the Shanghai Experimental School wore red T-shirts - a color that represents good luck and prosperity in China – to show their support to the students.

"The senior year at high school is filled with challenges, and it is more stressful this year as the exam is delayed due to the COVID-19 epidemic. We've been focused on psychological counseling for students, and so far, they are in a stable mood," said a teacher surnamed Shi from the Shanghai Experimental School to local media.

At the test site at the Yichuan High School, some candidates from Shanghai Cao Yang No. 2 High School were wearing red masks with Chinese characters "feng kao bi sheng", meaning "passing every exam" on them. The masks were given by the teachers.

This is a special year where wearing masks is the norm, and these gifts show teachers' care and encouragement to students, Qian Meili, a teacher from the school, told local media.