LettersShares in Ocean Park for every Hongkonger is the way to rebuild the community

Name: Hong Kong’s Ocean Park reopens after closing for over four months amid the coronavirus pandemic
Uploaded: 2020-07-11T06:20:13.000Z
Duration: 2 min 5 s
Description: Hong Kong’s Ocean Park reopens after closing for over four months amid the coronavirus pandemic

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A child looks at a walrus at Ocean Park in Hong Kong on June 13, after it reopened following four months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. Out-of-the-box thinking is needed to transform Ocean Park into a profitable Hong Kong icon. Photo: AP

Letters

Published: 2:20pm, 11 Jul 2020Updated: 2:20pm, 11 Jul 2020

The two great pillars of the social contract that underpin every successful community is that the security and liberty of the people must go hand in hand with their welfare and livelihood.

Now that the central government has moved to ensure our safety and protect our freedoms, it is time to secure the second pillar as well. As a Hongkonger born and bred, I know that many share my belief that we are living through a watershed moment – Hong Kong can finally leave the dark valley behind for sunnier uplands.

But in doing so, each and every one of us must believe we are valued members of an inclusive and loving community that makes sure no one is left behind. If people see this clearly, there is no doubt our collective Lion Rock spirit will do the rest.

So I say give every Hong Kong permanent resident a share in Ocean Park. Convert all government investment in Ocean Park into non-voting common equity to be distributed equally to everyone through their Mandatory Provident Fund accounts. Those without an account would be assisted to open one. These shares must be held for a minimum number of years and if one disposed of one’s interest, it would only be to another Hongkonger.

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Hong Kong’s Ocean Park reopens after closing for over four months amid the coronavirus pandemic

This material boost to sentiment would turbocharge Hong Kong’s revival through our collective Lion Rock spirit. By this stroke of the administrative pen, the government will have firmly demonstrated that every Hongkonger is in this together.