Understand your history and grasp opportunities, Tung Chee-hwa tells Hong Kong youth
Former city leader reiterates call to ride on China’s economic growth, and warns against independence advocacy
Former Hong Kong chief executive Tung Chee-hwa has urged the city’s youth to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese history and grasp the opportunities offered by China’s economic growth.
Tung, now an elder statesman as a vice-chairman of China’s top political advisory body, also said that the Hong Kong government needed to develop its financial and film industries to offer job opportunities for young people.
Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme, Tung was asked if he was worried about young Hongkonger’s lack of national identity.
“Young people need to realise that it is important for their future that they understand their own country, because in 15 years’ time, the size of the Chinese economy will be as big as that of the United States,” Tung said.
“If you say ‘what happens outside has nothing to do with me’, you will miss out. Almost all countries around the world want to hitchhike on the Chinese [economy] to create their own prosperity, so why not us?”