Wong Wai-king: From Housewife To Vocal Activist
From a housewife to a vocal activist, Wong Wai-king has been fighting for the environment and traditional culture of Tai O for over twenty years. She tells her story to TC Fung.
HK Magazine: How did you start campaigning?
Wong Wai-king: It goes back to 1982 when I fought for an electricity and water supply for my village. The government and China Light & Power refused to do that for us at first because they said there were only a few households - not economical in their eyes. So I wrote a letter asking for tap water and we finally got it.
HK: So why did you began all the conservation works in Tai O?
WW: It’s all down to my love for the community. I have been living here for fifty years. The watershed came when I kick started the campaign to repair local artifacts dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Even though the campaign eventually failed I realized that I should speak for my community. It’s my obligation and my civil right.
HK: You’re running the Tai O Cultural Workshop. What’s it all about?
WW: The government rejected my proposal of setting up a Tai O museum but luckily I secured a one-year funding from an overseas foundation. I set up the workshop in 2001. The idea is to promote traditional culture and boost eco-tourism in Tai O so that younger generations will treasure their communities. It’s the only civilian-run museum in town and it has served hundreds of thousands of visitors so far. But the most interesting thing is that it is a living museum, with an elderly villager living upstairs.
HK: Your opposition to some issues like the construction of fishing vessel anchorage pitted you against some local groups. Do you think you are David battling Goliath?
WW: I don’t think I am walking alone. Quite a lot of people donated artefacts to the workshop and pledged their support in various forms. Yes, I did feel upset when people with different views smeared my family members and me, thinking that I was the black sheep. But when I look at the big picture I realize that we all care about this place, but we have different approaches.
HK: Ever thought about slowing down with your causes?
WW: No. I was proposed for the Nobel Peace Award in 2005. This is a great boost to me and recognition of my work. Tai O is not just a home to 2,500 inhabitants but also a great asset to the wider community.
HK: The government has proposed a new plan to revitalize Tai O. Are you happy with it?
WW: The plan involves building a fountain, sculptures and other kitsch stuff here, which is totally at odds with the landscape and history of Tai O. Are tourists coming here for these things? Or are they here for the mangroves and historical buildings? The government wasted a lot of money building a public housing estate here, and the flats are mostly unoccupied.