Anson Chan
Former Chief Secretary Anson Chan, the “conscience of Hong Kong,” is running against former Article 23 proponent Regina Ip for the Hong Kong Island seat in the high-profile Legco by-election on December 2. Interview by Zach Hines
Most people think I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but that’s not true. I came with my family from Shanghai in 1938 to escape the turmoil there. There were eight of us – two girls and six boys.
Two years after we came to Hong Kong, my father suddenly died in his mid-30s, and my mother was left with us. We were raised by our grandparents, uncles and aunts.
You can’t raise children now the way I was brought up. My upbringing was extremely strict, especially with girls. We had to observe strict hours and get good grades or we were punished.
I learned from the strictness, though, and I don’t think it did any harm. In fact, I think it did me good. Years later, I realized it gave me very strict moral boundaries, and a sense of duty.
My mother always told me “always try to forgive.” I think that’s the best way to live a very fulfilling life.
I’m a totally homegrown person. I went to school and university in Hong Kong, and then I joined the Hong Kong government as soon as I graduated. It was my first and only job.