talk 623

Young at heart
W.F. Pang

HK's long hot summer began few days befor e May Day. A heated exchange of views took pce at the Lighters' gathering on May 1st, 2005 at the Yau yat Chuen Recreational Club. where 16 members spent about 2 hours on the subject of Modern China

Our host being president Pang & Luk Chi Chung. with special guests:
Cheng Lee-po ( C32 ) & Victor YU and Eugene Lu ( D26 ) & Diana. Mrs Yu just returned from a Peking Opera performance in Beijing and Eugene only touched down HK the day before..

In Pui Ching we copied notes from our History teacher. Some of the Lighters are retirees but we do not take history too lightly. Looking ahead on China with zeal we did exactly as we were in our teens during our discussion. Opening remarks:-

Peter Sun ( B9 ) Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference :

"Deng Xio-peng 's Open Door policy in 1979 played a significant role in shaping modern China. She is termed the world's factory and will show her sports might in 2008 Olympic. Really China started f rom scratches after the Cultural Revolution. There is a tremedous change in people's living . However we cannot expect outright changes
within a short period."

Wong Yu ( C2 ):
"China is on track. Barring any unforeseeable events the nation is moving in the right direction. The Great Leap Forward period was gone. People are more realistic in the Socio-Market economy."

Eugene Lu :
"It is a counter forward looking move for China to tie with North Korea & Cuba. There is a lot of able partners in the political arena for her choice."

President Pang :
"The rise and fall of dynasties was inevitable in our die hard monarchy system. In the early republic period there were many warlords. Eventually the united front ( Communist & Nationalist ) fighting the Sino-Japan war gave rise the Red Army to to take-over the nation in 1949. The war-torn China had some breathing space in the past 50 odd years . Presumably the show of democracy as advocated by our Founding Father, Dr Sun
Yat-sen, is taking some ground on both sides of the Strait."

Tse Shun Kai ( C10 ) :
"A common scene in China: certain small movement in 5 years and a big bang " Bingo " 10 years later. Social changes and unrest in remote areas caused the uprisings. The Admin istration should look after the well-being of the people and the quest of peace."

Peter Sun :
"China huge population of 1.3 billion is a big headache. Take the case of the 13 members committee of any HK Incorporated Owners Association. They spent a damn lot of time to sort out the problems of the owners. As such the nation's consultative body will work out a common course that will steer the nation to the path of prosperity."

"Naturally the process will be a little rocky at times requiring a learning curve on both side of the Conservative and Liberal Give and take is the sure promise of a rosy future."

Wong Yu :
Virtually the Administration would like a stable government but enemies within and without may force sharp measures to stabilize the country. A soft landing of the economy for sure is an ideal ; it may turn out to be a hard one. Keep our fingers crossed."

Side notes:

i) one country two systems -Hong Kong

ii) one country seven systems -Australia, 6 states & the Autralian Capital Territory

iii) one country fifty -systems United States

quoted in the former US Consul-General in HK, James Keith , speech to the HK General Chamber of Commerce