Opinion | How marking the anniversary of British colonial occupation could help heal divided Hong Kong
Peter Kammerer says an annual day of reconciliation, like Australia Day, would be a good way to foster discussion, debate and a better understanding of the past
Hong Kong needs an annual day of reconciliation. Politics, economics and a sense of entitlement have bruised society to the point that there is mistrust, hate and disregard.
There is every need for a time for reflection, discussion, debate and education. A perfect date would be January 26, the anniversary of British colonial occupation.
The 175th commemoration of that event passed unnoticed last Wednesday. Even under British colonial rule, there was no effort to remember the raising of the Union Jack by Royal Navy sailors at Possession Point, now the site of Hollywood Road Park in Sheung Wan. A year later, in 1842, with the first opium war over and the Treaty of Nanking signed, Hong Kong Island was formally ceded to Britain.
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These were dark days for China and marked a low for the Qing dynasty. Using such a date would therefore seem insensitive, even incendiary.
Yet, there is a reality for Hong Kong whether we like it or not: Without history, there can be no future. There were only 7,500 Chinese on Hong Kong Island when the British landed, but with the trading the foreigners brought, the population quickly grew. People from other British colonies came, especially from the Indian subcontinent, and other nationalities were also attracted to do business.
These were dark days for China and marked a low for the Qing dynasty. Using such a date would therefore seem insensitive, even incendiary
Without those beginnings, centred on trade with China and onward to Europe and the Americas, coupled with British governance and laws, our city is unlikely to have become so international or successful.
But British rule also brought ethnic discrimination and inequities, many of which still persist. A favoured few became excessively wealthy. Those living in the New Territories were given land, while others from elsewhere were denied that right.