[Opinion] Hong Kong's Umbrella Revolution -- Romanticism and Realism

1. For most of last week, I was afraid that the demonstration in Hong Kong will end in violence.
 
In this, I was continuously surprised by the political maturity of the demonstrators.
 
When most of the demonstrators dispersed by Monday (October 6, 2014) morning, they have successfully avoided a possibly violent crackdown by the Hong Kong Government.

 
2. Hong Kong's public opinion was by no means unanimous on the demonstration.
 
There was a perceptible intergenerational difference of opinion.
 
Quite a few of the older people did not support the demonstration while the demonstrators were mostly young people.
 
The older people tried not to disturb the status quo while the younger people demonstrate for a better future.
 
My sympathy is with the younger people.
 
Given the central government's policy towards Hong Kong, the status quo is not maintainable.
 
What distinguish Hong Kong from other Chinese cities is its British heritage: a set of customs and values that includes freedom and the rule of law.
 
Without this set of customs and values, Hong Kong will lost its competitive advantage and be just another Chinese city.

 
3. I see hope for the future of Hong Kong in the romanticism and realism of its young people.
 
The young people are romantic in that they demonstrated for something the central government will not possibly grant them: free Chief Executive Election in 2017.
 
The young people are realistic in that they did not repeat the mistake of the students of Tiananmen Square of 1989 and disperse after their point is made.
 
What is achieved by the Umbrella Revolution is that the demonstration has put Hong Kong's Chief Executive Election of 2017 onto the international political agenda.
 
I am hopeful for Hong Kong because its young people are willing to fight for its future.

 
End.

[Music] Below the Lion Rock – Roman Tam

Lion Rock

 
1. Below the Lion Rock ("獅子山下") (1979) is considered by many to be the unofficial anthem of Hong Kong.

It is originally the theme song of a RTHK TV drama of the same name.

("RTHK" is Radio Television Hong Kong.)

The reason why many considered Below the Lion Rock (1979) to be the unofficial anthem is because not only does the lyrics reflect the values of post Second World War Hong Kong, this song actually has played a part in the formation of Hong Kong self-identity in the 1980s and 1990s.


2. The history of post Second World War Hong Kong can be divide into four periods:

(a) 1945 to 1967:

1945 was the end of the Second World War.

There were two separate riots in Hong Kong in the 1960s.

The 1966 riots had to do with the economy and dissatisfaction over British colonial rule.

The 1967 leftist riots was basically a spill-over from the Cultural Revolution in China.

Economically, the majority of the people of Hong Kong during this period were in the lower class.

(b) 1968 to 1984:

1984 was the year of the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in Beijing.

Hong Kong people knew for certain that year that sovereignty will return to China.

The Hong Kong economy was booming during this period and many people moved into the middle class.

(c) 1985 to 1997:

1997 was the year the sovereignty of Hong Kong was returned to China.

The general tenor during this period in Hong Kong was one of anxiety and uncertainty.

The anxiety was caused by the uncertainty over how China will rule over Hong Kong.

There were waves of immigration to western countries.

On the whole, the economy of Hong Kong was doing very well.

(d) 1998 to 2014:

2014 is the year of the Umbrella Revolution.

Between 1997 and 2014, China has basically kept its promise of respecting "One Country, Two Systems".

Many Hong Kong people who has immigrated to other countries has migrated back to Hong Kong.

The one policy since 1997 that has a long term impact on Hong Kong is that China has mandated 150 people will be allowed to "immigrate" to Hong Kong on a daily basis.

The people of Hong Kong has no say on the matter and the Government of Hong Kong does not have the power to screen the "immigrants".

Although still doing well on the surface, Hong Kong during this period faced increasing competition from other Chinese cities.


3. Lion Rock is a landmark in Hong Kong.

It is visible throughout Kowloon peninsula and the north side of Hong Kong Island.

"Below the Lion Rock" is where the majority of Hong Kong people lived.

James Wong wrote the lyrics of this song and the lyrics expressed the values and aspirations of post War Hong Kong.

The singer of this song is Roman Tam.


4. Below the Lion Rock by Roman Tam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxmuQ9A0ru4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twV8deBOMwI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASXwFoKnwLk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErazHn-xBvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKMC4whUKGI


Roman Tam and his student Joey Yung:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_-EPT76hdQ


This is just the music with some old photos of Hong Kong:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYLTWjfcgWs


5. The Lyrics in Traditional Chinese:


獅子山下 -- 羅文

人生中有歡喜
難免亦常有淚
我地大家在獅子山下相遇上
總算是歡笑多於唏噓

人生不免崎嶇
難以絕無掛慮
既是同舟在獅子山下且共濟
拋棄區分求共對

* 放開彼此心中矛盾
理想一起去追
同舟人   誓相隨
無畏更無懼

# 同處海角天邊
攜手踏平崎嶇
我地大家用艱辛努力寫下那
不朽香江名句

Repeat *, #


6. The Lyrics in Simplified Chinese:


狮子山下 -- 罗文

人生中有欢喜
难免亦常有泪
我地大家在狮子山下相遇上
总算是欢笑多于唏嘘

人生不免崎岖
难以绝无挂虑
既是同舟在狮子山下且共济
抛弃区分求共对

* 放开彼此心中矛盾
理想一起去追
同舟人   誓相随
无畏更无惧

# 同处海角天边
携手踏平崎岖
我地大家用艰辛努力写下那
不朽香江名句

Repeat *, #


7. Names, Words and Phrases:

James Wong (Traditional Chinese: 黃霑; Simplified Chinese: 黄霑).

Joey Yung (Traditional: 容祖兒; Simplified: 容祖儿).

Roman Tam (Traditional: 羅文; Simplified: 罗文).

RTHK (Traditional: 香港電台; Simplified: 香港电台).


References:

"Hong Kong 1966 riots", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_1966_riots
(accessed 2014-10-08).

"Hong Kong 1967 Leftist riots", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_1967_Leftist_riots
(accessed 2014-10-08).

"Sino-British Joint Declaration", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-British_Joint_Declaration
(accessed 2014-10-08).

"獅子山下 (歌曲)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E7%8D%85%E5%AD%90%E5%B1%B1%E4%B8%8B_%28%E6%AD%8C%E6%9B%B2%29
(accessed 2014-10-08).

End.

[Music] Hong Kong, Hong Kong -- Agnes Chan

Hong Kong

 1. Following news about the "Umbrella Revolution" in Hong Kong for the past week makes me nostalgic about the Hong Kong I grew up in.

But the Hong Kong of today is markedly different from the Hong Kong I grew up in in the 1960s and early 1970s, or even from the Hong Kong I worked in in the mid to late 1990s.

So it is that the dreamy Hong Kong depicted in the lyrics of Agnes Chan's Hong Kong, Hong Kong  ("香港,香港") (1982) does not reflect the Hong Kong of today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE4Rq07tQWg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3O8B6tMCk4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOYn57eQ5mQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBVUC4s25po

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSX-SL55wJM

This is posted by the song's composer Richard Yung:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Sv5X8c_nMk


2. The Lyrics in Traditional Chinese:


香港, 香港 -- 陳美齡

* 香港   我心中的故鄉   這裡讓我生長
有我喜歡的親友共陽光
路上人在跑   趕呀趕   幹勁令我欣賞
這裡有許多好處沒法講
說一聲香港   香港   你永遠是尋夢鄉
香港   香港   你那色調難忘

山頂看小島水裡躺   處處換上新裝
看看那海鷗飛過自由港
海邊看小島穿晚裝   處處耀眼生光
這個市區的的吸引沒法擋
說一聲香港   香港   載有我童年夢想
香港   香港   叫我不易遺忘

Repeat *

香港   香港   載有我童年夢想
香港   香港   叫我不易遺忘
香港   香港   你永遠是尋夢鄉
香港   香港   你那色調難忘


3. The Lyrics in Simplified Chinese:


香港, 香港 -- 陈美龄

* 香港   我心中的故乡   这里让我生长
有我喜欢的亲友共阳光
路上人在跑   赶呀赶   干劲令我欣赏
这里有许多好处没​​法讲
说一声香港   香港   你永远是寻梦乡
香港   香港   你那色调难忘

山顶看小岛水里躺   处处换上新装
看看那海鸥飞过自由港
海边看小岛穿晚装   处处耀眼生光
这个市区的的吸引没法挡
说一声香港   香港   载有我童年梦想
香港   香港   叫我不易遗忘

Repeat *

香港   香港   载有我童年梦想
香港   香港   叫我不易遗忘
香港   香港   你永远是寻梦乡
香港   香港   你那色调难忘


4. Names, Words and Phrases:

Agnes Chan (Traditional Chinese: 陳美齡; Simplified Chinese 陈美龄).

Richard Yung (Traditional: 翁家齊; Simplified: 翁家齐).


References:

"Agnes Chan", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnes_Chan
(accessed 2014-10-06).

"陳美齡", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E9%99%B3%E7%BE%8E%E9%BD%A1
(accessed 2014-10-06).

End.

[Opinion] A Consequence of the Death of One Country, Two Systems

The Chinese novel Three Kingdoms begins with the sentences:

"The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been."

China has been fragmented since the revolution of 1911.

After a century of division, many Chinese long to see the unification of China.

With the return of Hong Kong in 1997 and Macau in 1999, the only division left is between mainland China and Taiwan.

When Deng Xiaoping designed the "One Country, Two Systems" model, it serves not only Hong Kong and Macau but also as an example to the people of Taiwan for unification.

The present policy of the central government in Beijing towards Hong Kong signals the death of the One Country, Two Systems model.

With the death of the One Country, Two Systems model, we might not see the peaceful unification of China and Taiwan within our lifetimes.

End.

[Opinion] Continue to be Amazed by the Political Maturity of Hong Kong Students

I am continue to be amazed by the political maturity shown by the students of Hong Kong:

(a) Earlier in the week, Hong Kong students demanded that Chief Executive C.Y. Leung resigned by Thursday (October 2) night.

Politically, this demand for resignation is a mistake.

When the students met C.Y. Leung on Thursday night they did not mentioned this demand.

When C.Y. Leung announced himself that he will be not resign, the students did not object.

I applaud the students for realizing that this is a political mistake and did not pursue the matter further on Thursday night.

(b) On Thursday (October 2) night, Chief Executive C.Y. Leung announced that his Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam will talk with the Hong Kong Federation of Students.

After the announcement, scuffles broke out in Mong Kok District when some people tried to dismantle the tents and barricades of the demonstrators.

The demonstrators believe C.Y. Leung is behind the incident, his motive being to provoke the demonstrators into violence and so destroy their peaceful image.

Also, it is alleged that the Hong Kong Police did not sufficiently protect the demonstrators during the incident.

As a result, the Hong Kong Federation of Students announced on Friday that they are suspending the impending talk with C.Y. Leung's Administration.

This is an astute political move.

When C.Y. Leung announced talks with the students, Leung has, politically, passed the ball into the students' court.

When the students suspended talk with C.Y. Leung's Administration because of the violent incident in Mong Kok District, they have passed the political ball back into C.Y. Leung's court.

This is a very astute political move.


Reference:

BBC News. 2014. 香港學聯：擱置原定與特區政府對話. BBC中文網, October 3.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/trad/china/2014/10/141003_hk_dialogue_not
(accessed 2014-10-03).

End.

[Opinion] Cautiously Pessimistic about the Development in Hong Kong

1. I am cautiously pessimistic about the latest development in Hong Kong.

Although my view is currently fluid, I still think the best way to resolve the current political crisis peacefully is for the central government in Beijing to send a special envoy to talk with the people of Hong Kong.


2. On Thursday (October 2) night Hong Kong time, Chief Executive C.Y. Leung announced that his Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam will talk with one group among the demonstrators, the Hong Kong Federation of Students.

In itself, this is a welcome development; talking is better than not talking.

But I am cautiously pessimistic about this development for two reasons:

(a) I do not believe C.Y. Leung is engaging in good faith negotiation with the demonstrators.

(b) There is no one person or group that can speaks for all the demonstrators.


3. Two reasons why I do not believe C.Y. Leung is engaging in good faith negotiation:

(a) The demonstrators are not one unified group of people but are consist of three distinct groups plus a diffuse "mass" of people.

The three distinct groups are: Occupy Central, the Hong Kong Federation of Students, and the student Scholarism movement.

My interpretation of C.Y. Leung's instruction to Carrie Lam to talk to the Hong Kong Federation of Students only is that the talk is meant as a divide and conquer tactic.

(b) Before C.Y. Leung's announcement on Thursday night, there were already news reports that some people tried to dismantle the tents and barricades of the demonstrators in Mong Kok District.

As if on cue, scuffles broke out after the announcement by C.Y. Leung on Thursday night.

It is widely believed on the demonstrators’ side that C.Y. Leung's administration is behind this incident.


4. And then there is the major weakness for negotiations on the demonstrators’ side: There is no one person or group that can speaks for all the demonstrators.

When engaging in negotiations, one should talk with the person who has the power or authority to make decisions.

Who among the demonstrators can speak for the whole group?

It is because no one can speak for all the demonstrators that C.Y. Leung can use the divide and conquer strategy.


5. Until now, the central government in Beijing is pursuing a hands off policy and let the local government of C.Y. Leung handle the demonstrators.

If the goal of the central government is to maintain peace and order in Hong Kong, then continuing to let C.Y. Leung handle the demonstrators is a bad idea.

The divide and conquer strategy of C.Y. Leung will only lead to disorder and chaos.

It is quite obvious that C.Y. Leung does not have either the intention or the ability to resolve the current Hong Kong political crisis in a peaceful way.

There is no need to let the present situation drags out.

The best way to resolve the current political crisis peacefully is for the central government in Beijing to send a special envoy to talk with the people of Hong Kong.


References:

BBC News. 2014a. Hong Kong protests: Student leaders postpone talks. BBC News China, Last updated October 3.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-29477731
(accessed 2014-10-03).

BBC News. 2014b. Hong Kong protests: Talks accepted amid protest stand-off. BBC News China, Last updated October 3.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-29471027
(accessed 2014-10-03).

BBC News. 2014c. Hong Kong protests: The key players. BBC News China, Last updated October 1.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-29408476
(accessed 2014-10-03).

BBC News. 2014d. 中國官媒首次報道涉及香港佔中行動消息. BBC中文網, October 3.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/china/2014/10/141003_hk_china_students
(accessed 2014-10-03).

BBC News. 2014e. 香港學聯：擱置原定與特區政府對話. BBC中文網, October 3.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/trad/china/2014/10/141003_hk_dialogue_not
(accessed 2014-10-03).

Philip Wen. 2014. Hong Kong protests: Key players from Joshua Wong to Leung Chun-ying. The Sydney Morning Herald, October 1.
http://www.smh.com.au/world/hong-kong-protests-key-players-from-joshua-wong-to-leung-chunying-20141001-10ot6j.html
(accessed 2014-10-03).

End.

[Opinion] A Suggestion towards Resolving the Current Hong Kong Political Crisis

1. I do not have a solution to the current political crisis in Hong Kong but I do have a suggestion that may help towards finding a solution: The Communist Government in Beijing should appoint a special envoy to talk with the people of Hong Kong.

And there is a candidate that should be acceptable to all sides: Henry Tang, who was a candidate in the 2012 Hong Kong Chief Executive Election.


2. In western countries, a special envoy maybe consider an intermediary between two parties.

But given the political situation in China, a special envoy will not be an intermediary between two equal parties but more akin to an Imperial Envoy of Chinese history.

(When the need arises, an emperor in Chinese history often appoint an Imperial Envoy to represent him to go to local places to solve special problems.)

The special envoy will not be an intermediary between two equal parties but represent the central government to the local people.

The special envoy is representing the central government in listening to the local people and solve problems for them.

In this case, the problem is finding a solution to the Chief Executive Election of 2017 that is acceptable to both the central government in Beijing and the local people of Hong Kong.


3. From the face saving perspective of the central government:

The appointment of a special envoy means the failure of local officials to solve the problem.

In this case, the administration of Chief Executive C.Y. Leung is manifestly unable to come up with a solution to the current political crisis.

The current political crisis is in many ways provoked by C.Y. Leung's intransigence during the consultative process for the Chief Executive Election of 2017.

The central government in Beijing need not openly rebuke C.Y. Leung.

What the central government can do is to reaffirm their faith in C.Y. Leung despite his mistakes on the one hand and simultaneously appoint a special envoy to Hong Kong on the other.

Given the precedents of appointing Imperial Envoys in Chinese history, there is nothing improper for the Beijing Government in appointing a special envoy for the current Hong Kong political crisis.

The central government in Beijing is not losing any face by appointing a special envoy.

The blame, if any, lies with the failures of the local Hong Kong administration resulting in the need for the central government to appoint a special envoy.


4. Henry Tang was a candidate for the 2012 Chief Election of Hong Kong and so has already been vetted by Beijing and was acceptable to them.

("Henry Tang", Wikipedia):

"Henry Tang Ying-yen GBM GBS JP (born 6 September 1952, Hong Kong) is a Hong Kong politician who served as the Chief Secretary of Hong Kong between 2007 and 2011. He held the position of Financial Secretary from 2003 to 2007. He lost the 2012 Hong Kong Chief Executive Election to CY Leung."

Henry Tang was not a career civil service bureaucrat but was a business man from a prominent family recruited into government in 2002 and became the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong in 2003.

Although he was involved in some scandals, Henry Tang still commands sufficient respect in Hong Kong that people will talk with him.

I hope the central government will appoint a special envoy for Hong Kong or otherwise come up with a peaceful solution to the current political crisis.

I do not wish to see the current political crisis in Hong Kong to end in violence.


5. Names, Words and Phrases:

C.Y. Leung (Traditional Chinese: 梁振英; Simplified: 梁振英).

Henry Tang (Traditional: 唐英年; Simplified: 唐英年).

Imperial Envoy (Traditional: 欽差大臣; Simplified:钦差大臣).


References:

"CY Leung", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leung_Chun-ying
(accessed 2014-10-02).

"Henry Tang", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Tang
(accessed 2014-10-02).

End.

[Opinion & Music] The Umbrella Revolution

1. I have been following the current political demonstration in Hong Kong with intense interests.

My sympathy is with the demonstrators for a free (and not pre-screened) election for the Chief Executive of Hong Kong in 2017.

Although I have no idea how the "Umbrella Revolution" will end, I have been amazed by the political maturity shown by the demonstrators so far; especially so by the students whom initiated this demonstration.


2. Anyone who has watched the 1980s British sitcom Yes Minister (and its sequel Yes, Prime Minister) will have a good idea of the bureaucratic mentality.

Similarly, anyone who has watched the 1997 Chinese historical TV drama Yongzheng Dynasty ("雍正王朝") will have a good idea of how the powers that be in Beijing think.

I like to dedicate the opening theme song of Yongzheng Dynasty to the peaceful demonstrators of Hong Kong.

The title of the theme song is Those Who Have the Hearts of the People Will Have the World ("得民心者得天下"):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ofswTSYs24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4XeallSS-I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUqCWLoqtYk

 
2a. Added: Later on Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Alternate translation of "得民心者得天下": He Who Has the Hearts of the People Will Rule the World.


3. The Lyrics in Traditional Chinese:


得民心者得天下 -- 劉歡

數英雄   論成敗
古今誰能說明白
千秋功罪任評說
海雨天風獨往來

一心要江山圖治垂青史
也難說身後罵名滾滾來
有道是人間萬苦人最苦
終不悔九死落塵埃

輕生死   重興衰
百年壹夢多慷慨
九州方圓在民心
斬斷情絲不萦懷

誰不想國家昌盛民安樂
也難料恨水東逝歸大海
有道是得民心者得天下
看江山由誰來主宰
得民心者得天下
看江山由誰來主宰


4. The Lyrics in Simplified Chinese:


得民心者得天下 -- 刘欢

数英雄   论成败
古今谁能说明白
千秋功罪任评说
海雨天风独往来

一心要江山图治垂青史
也难说身后骂名滚滚来
有道是人间万苦人最苦
终不悔九死落尘埃

轻生死   重兴衰
百年壹梦多慷慨
九州方圆在民心
斩断情丝不萦怀

谁不想国家昌盛民安乐
也难料恨水东逝归大海
有道是得民心者得天下
看江山由谁来主宰
得民心者得天下
看江山由谁来主宰 


5. Names, Words and Phrases:
 
Liu Huan (Traditional Chinese: 劉歡; Simplified Chinese: 刘欢).


References:

"Liu Huan", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liu_Huan
(accessed 2014-10-01).

"Yes Minister", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_Minister
(accessed 2014-10-01).

"Yongzheng Dynasty", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yongzheng_Dynasty
(accessed 2014-10-01).

End.