Liu Yandong, who accompanied a Buddhist relic for exhibition in Hong Kong last week, brought with her a cultural symbolism which is lost in a city so narrowly focused on political squabbles. In our relationship with the mainland, we must acquaint ourselves with the cultural traditions which live on across the border, but which were sublimated under colonial rule in Hong Kong.
Chinese civilisation celebrates role models. Moral qualities, education, family upbringing, and personal and professional conduct are combined with a person's character to form portraits to inspire people. With her education and experience, Ms Liu is a role model for women with political aspirations in the 'new China'. People in Hong Kong, too, can easily relate to her ordinary background; her father trained at a teacher's school.
Our presumptions about the mainland often create feelings of distrust. Combined with our city's affluence, we are predisposed to particular attitudes. Yet Ms Liu's gentle demeanour and tasteful dress sense challenge our tainted views of a typical Communist Party member.
She is the personification of the Chinese concept of ci - that is, loving-kindness and compassion - a celebrated virtue in women. Her visits to kindergartens, youth groups, a home for the elderly and an organisation which helps the disabled were manifestations of ci. In the past, she has been president of the All-China Youth Federation and has spent summers doing volunteer work on village farms.
The concept of ci is also a cardinal Buddhist teaching. Selecting a woman with a compassionate disposition to accompany a Buddhist relic is entirely appropriate in the eyes of the Chinese. In today's world of sexual equality, it is to the central authorities' credit that they chose a caring female official to carry out the job. Over the last two centuries, Chinese women have been portrayed in both the east and the west as meek, submissive and not very bright. The choice of Ms Liu as director of the United Front Work Department clearly addresses this prejudice, which still lives on today, especially among the older generation.
This new politician and public officer is tough and well-educated. She obtained a degree in chemical engineering which was, at the time, regarded as a man's subject. Not only had she laboured on farms, she had also worked her way up from a factory employee to a workshop head at the Tangshan Kaiping Chemical Plant in Hebei. After a variety of administrative and secretarial posts in the Communist Party, she carried on her studies and received a doctorate in administration. Young women who aspire to be leaders in new China would do well to emulate Ms Liu's example of manual work and hands-on experience, coupled with top academic achievements. Indeed, she may also prove to be an inspiration to Hong Kong's young women with political aspirations.