Qi Ruhong: Symposium on Hong Kong's Return

Qi Ruhong: Symposium on Hong Kong's Return Phoenix City Qi Ruhong "There are regular programs on Saturdays", this is a feature I discovered when I immigrated to the United States because I am busy with work on weekdays...

Phoenix City Qi Ruhong "There are always programs on Saturdays." This is a feature I discovered when I immigrated to the United States. Because of my busy work schedule, programs are always scheduled for weekends. At 4:00 pm on Saturday, June 17, I went to the VIP room of the New World Restaurant in Mesa City to attend a symposium held by Arizona Chinese in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. I recently received a notice from President Huang Hai of the Vietnamese-Chinese Association of Alberta, hoping to attend on behalf of the Vietnamese-Chinese Association to support the activities of the association. I was free that day, so I agreed. From the invitation letter that was passed on, I learned that it was organized by the overseas Chinese academic community in this state and that there were seven contact persons on the list. I was ignorant and only knew three of them. I was not a figure in the overseas Chinese community and had no chance to get to know so many scholars, scientific and technological personnel and international students. Sure enough, when we arrived at the symposium in the afternoon, there were many unfamiliar faces. Fortunately, we saw Fang Huixian, the president of the Spanish-American Overseas Chinese Newspaper, sitting there, and we finally had an old friend; Xu Qiang and Wu Liangzu, who were busy welcoming guests, also raised their hands to say hello; Huang Hai was in the circle He turned around at the table and waved to me, saying that he had reserved a seat for me to sit with Mei Shude. Looking at the front table, he saw the famous writer Tang Xiaoxian, and hurried over to say hello. He happily introduced another writer, Dai Dingguo, to me. It was a great honor. Looking around the room, I saw several other familiar people: Li Aizhen, a member of the Senior Citizens Association, Pei Xiayun, director of the Senior Citizens Center, Wang Jingyu, a female writer, and Xie Chengyan, the person in charge of the Sunbird website. At this time, Chairman Yang Wentian accompanied Wang Xuezheng and Chen Xiaoyi, the two overseas Chinese consuls of China in Los Angeles, to the table. Yu Wenjin, a veteran of the overseas Chinese community, and Deng Chaoju, a senior overseas Chinese leader, came in hand in hand. Qiandele City Councilor Huang Xinmin arrived, and the distinguished guests were all sitting in the first place. The time has expired. Sun Ying announced the start of the symposium with a clear voice. Yuan Yahua presided over the introduction of the guests. Many people had titles and backgrounds. Those without professional titles were all labeled as patriots, which was very creative. I noticed that there were eight round tables in the room, with a total of about seventy people sitting there. Although they were introduced one by one, I felt like water flowing over a duck's back after listening to them. Not a single detail was retained, and I couldn't remember who was with whom. It doesn't matter, I mainly listen to the opinions of people from all walks of life. Listening more is always helpful. I listened quietly to everyone's opinions on the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return. After comprehensive gathering, I generally agreed with the pride of Hong Kong's return. The return of Hong Kong in 1997 proved that China's strength was becoming stronger, and Britain was willing to hand over the territory it had occupied, making the Chinese people feel proud. Some recalled the grand celebration of the handover and witnessed history; others recalled the exciting scenes of the provincial organization celebrating the return, making Bo Hai happy. He also praised China's leaders for their shrewdness, implementing the "one country, two systems" policy of Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong, and its superior policies and remarkable achievements. Only one college student said that mainland students applied to the University of Hong Kong. After being contacted, they seemed unable to integrate into Hong Kong society. He pointed out that there were differences between ethnic groups and hoped that they would improve in the future. Listening to the opinions expressed at the symposium, most of them praised Hong Kong's return and looked forward to a more prosperous and promising future. However, I always feel that the discussion is not comprehensive and in-depth. It seems that something is missing, and I can't remember it for a while. It was not until the meeting was over that I sat next to Ma Xiangming, the owner of a Hong Kong boutique, and chatted about Hong Kong people, and then I suddenly woke up, ah! This symposium lacks the voices of Hong Kong people, which is really a fly in the ointment. The motherland is of course happy that Hong Kong has returned to the motherland, but what do the people of Hong Kong feel? What about today, twenty years later? Aren’t Hong Kong citizens currently clamoring and striving for some kind of democracy? They should be allowed to speak in person, understand their mentality, and reflect their opinions from many aspects. Only when a hundred flowers bloom can it appear objective and correct. I still remember that before 1997, many Hong Kong friends felt not proud but scared when mentioning the reunification event. At that time, they were still wary of China's communist system. Compatriots with better economic conditions were immigrating one after another. Many movie stars applied to settle in Vancouver, Canada. In order to appease Hong Kong people, the singer Xu Guanjie specially composed the song "You Are 1977", "Hong Kong's adaptability is not frightened", "Maybe in 1997, prosperity and wealth are everywhere." I also knew how to hum at that time. In short, the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return is indeed a significant day and worth commemorating. If there is another symposium organized in the future, more Hong Kong scholars should be invited to participate and express their opinions, so that it will be fair, reasonable and reasonable.

It’s just a moment of darkness, but the future will shine brightly forever

Zhou Yongxin (amateur author from Phoenix, Arizona) Although Hong Kong is a small place, its economy and culture have always developed extremely well and are radiant. Many overseas Chinese often say: "It is only because of the attraction of Hong Kong TV series and karaoke videos that our next generation can hear and speak the mother tongue." Hong Kong is really the Pearl of the Orient. Before the return to China in 1997, we Chinese were worried about its future, fearing that it would lose its original glory. However, after more than a year of journey, despite the difficulties, I think its prospects are still optimistic. At least, in general cultural activities and in commemoration of the June 4th incident, Hong Kong people still maintain the liberal and democratic style. With this courage, the future should be bright. As for the current dilemma, some of it is closely related to the international situation. The Asian financial crisis is the biggest blow, affecting even the distant United States, let alone Hong Kong? Some are natural disasters, such as the raging bird flu, which are completely accidental. When it comes to the chaos at the beginning of the new airport's operation, it is certainly a management error. However, mistakes are inevitable for such a huge project. As long as they are rectified in time, it is understandable. Because the first two disrupted the mentality of Hong Kong people, they complained even more about the new airport, and finally vented their frustration on Chief Executive Dong. In fact, even if Hong Kong has not returned to the motherland and the old chairman has not come to power, the financial crisis will happen just like bird flu. If so, who can we blame? The Pearl of the Orient is only dim for a while, but it will still shine brightly in the future. Published in World Journal's "Public Opinion Forum" on Sunday, September 6, 1998