Letters to the Editor, June 24, 2017
Cantonese can try the Korean way with TV
I refer to your article on Cantonese as a cultural asset (“Use Cantonese as a tool to extend city’s influence”, May 5). There are two ways to spread Cantonese around the world: cultivate budding directors and stars, and focus on social media.
First, TV shows are the easiest way to spread one’s culture. Korean TV dramas are one example. Korea puts a lot of resources into their production, such as training talented directors and actors. The shows are thus of high quality, and capture audiences’ hearts.
Take My Love from the Star: fans began to learn Korean to enjoy the show in the original language and went out to try the Korean food favoured by its stars. Cantonese language and culture may be popularised in a similar way, not only through TV dramas but pop music as well.
Second, the power and reach of these forms of entertainment can be enhanced through social media, which can be used to promote TV dramas, with interviews with stars and directors, as well as articles and video clips from web magazines, websites and TV for a global audience
If Cantonese is harnessed as a soft power, it will undoubtedly boost Hong Kong’s economic growth, as not only do successful cultural exports attract people to learn a language or about a culture, but also bring in curious tourists.
Hui Wing Ka, Yau Yat Chuen
Crack down on any talk of separatism
Those who instigate, organise and take part in separatist activities such as the 2014 Occupy Central, aiming to stir up enough unrest to generate a “Hong Kong Tiananmen” and foreign intervention, would get away with another Occupy on the grounds of “we want genuine universal suffrage”, without ever mentioning “separation”.
Lam merely said “the separatists have no future” and “we will severely deal with them strictly in accordance with the Basic Law”. The wrongdoers will rarely explicitly declare themselves separatists while doing everything aimed at separating Hong Kong from China. Their slogan “we want genuine universal suffrage” must be refuted.
They should be reminded that the Basic Law says upon nomination of candidates by the nomination committee, the chief executive will be selected by universal suffrage. It does not have to be “direct election” to be universal suffrage.
If they stage another Occupy, frogmarch them away with unarmed security personnel, perhaps reinforced by disciplined services other than the police, and hold them for long enough without trial so they cannot rejoin the rally.
Peter Lok, Heng Fa Chuen
Brave officers could aim at tougher targets
It’s a relief that better sense prevailed in the end and charges against the old lady, who refuses to be on the dole, were dropped.
Now let’s see if the same six brave officers (or their esteemed colleagues) have the mettle to charge the dozen or so illegal hawkers who ply their wares every Sunday in front of the HSBC headquarters in Des Voeux Road, Central. They also disrupt the flow of pedestrian traffic in the area.
Parvez Kerawala, Mid-Levels
Hard to see the appeal of chief executive role
I do not really understand why anybody would want to contest elections for Hong Kong chief executive.
Our first elected chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, was removed after he lost popularity. Our second, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, went to jail and is out on bail appealing a conviction for misconduct in office
Then Henry Tang Ying-yen tried to win the 2012 election, and was set to win, until unauthorised construction at his residence came to light. Facts might have not come out if he were not a candidate. This set up victory for Leung Chun-ying.
Now Leung is being investigated for his acceptance of HK$50 million from Australian firm UGL. Nobody would have cared, if he had not run for chief executive. Then this year, well-respected John Tsang Chun-wah lost his job as financial secretary because he wanted to be the next chief executive.
Now Carrie Lam wants her turn. May God bless her and give her the chance to complete the next five years in office without too many problems.
Gary Ahuja, Tsim Sha Tsui
The blues give clarity on real issues in life
I agree that depression, or “the blues”, is a psychological issue of great significance, especially for youngsters going through adolescence.
At this stage there may be some changes in their mood and behaviour. Parents and teachers ought to be careful to distinguish between normal personality changes related to growing up and symptoms of depression.
Depression, if diagnosed, should not be underestimated or it could take a severe form and even have tragic consequences, as seen from the sudden suicide of Lee’s close friend.
On the other hand, if well managed, “the blues” can serve very beneficial purposes, as also noted by Lee.
Lee points out that depression can sharpen our awareness of complications or shadows in life. Young people then understand that life is not all about pursuing wealth and happiness, and that they ought to ponder, experience and explore the darker side of life in order to learn from it.
This can have a better healing effect than the usual antidepressants. More importantly, this can lead to personal growth, creating better strength of character to face the wider world.
Angela Cheong, Macau
Disney could have no-rides entry tickets
For example, how about selling entry tickets (as opposed to a much more expensive package inclusive of rides) for people like me, who would be happy just to stroll around inside Disney Park or dine at one of the many eateries there without going for any of the rides.
Hiew Hon Hiung, Sheung Shui
