Letters | Chinese New Year: channel the spirit of the ox to overcome Hong Kong’s challenges

This Chinese new year is the Year of the Ox, an animal that, with its sharp horns and muscular build, symbolises physical labour and determination, honesty, diligence and trustworthiness.

In Hong Kong, we should cultivate the qualities of the ox, to serve our community with a humble and willing heart, and this applies not just to those in the service industry. Such an attitude would surly lead to a more productive, harmonious society.

Oxen are diligent, down-to-earth animals working the soil. With Hong Kong now mired in the Covid-19 crisis, we should draw inspiration from the ox and meet the challenges of the pandemic like the sturdy, energetic farm animal.

Working as hard as an ox: this could seem like a demeaning expression depicting people who devote much time and energy without receiving fair returns. But if we adopt a humble attitude, just work hard and not ask for much in return, and not complain, then we surely can more easily resolve the problems in our society.

Here’s wishing all Chinese in all parts of the world a wealthy and healthy Year of the Ox！

Randy Lee, Ma On Shan