Suu Kyi keen to visit Hong Kong

Myanmar’s pro-democracy leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is keen for ties between Myanmar, Hong Kong and the mainland to grow closer.

Suu Kyi told a visiting educational delegation on Tuesday that she would love to visit Hong Kong and meet the city’s students.

“Whenever I meet young people, I feel myself back in the days when I was just like them,” she said.

“It inspires me and gladdens my heart to know that the process of youth never comes to an end. It is like spring coming again each year and reminding us that we don’t need to despair of humanity, because there is something ingrained in humanity that makes it possible for us to renew hope all the time.”

The University of Hong Kong delegation, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, met Suu Kyi at her Rose Cottage home in Naypyidaw, the country’s capital, as part of their trip to foster academic ties and other collaborative links with Myanmar. They took the opportunity to present her with an honorary degree and two honorary university posts.

The degree was conferred upon Suu Kyi in absentia at the University’s 186th Congregation in March this year, in recognition of her commitment to non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights. She was also appointed Honorary Professor in the HKU Faculty of Social Sciences as well as the first Honorary Adviser of the HKU Service 100 global service-learning programme.”