Hong Kong needs debate, not discord, to solve its issues
Hong Kong got to where it is in the world through determination, hard work and entrepreneurial spirit. But the unity that weathered the hard times and drove us forward through the good has taken a beating of late. The fissures in society opened by the Occupy protests and political discord have put our city in a quandary and left it searching for direction. At such a challenging time, it is natural to turn to those who have made a name for themselves for a sense of where we should be headed.
The South China Morning Post has taken on this task with its 10-part "Moving Forward" series, today at the mid-point. Leading figures from a cross-section of society, among them business people, a banker, a doctor, an educationalist and a theatre director, have so far shared their views on where they believe deficiencies lie and how improvements can be made. Their opinions are insightful and thought-provoking and worthy of consideration as part of a wider debate in society. Without such discussion, Hongkongers have less likelihood of having a common goal and shared purpose.
We have not turned to those with a political agenda or background for comment. While politics is the reason behind the divisions, such views are already well known. Common ground is the only way to move beyond a stalemate and that requires vision and courage. Our focus has been instead on stakeholders, those working quietly and diligently in their areas of expertise, who, through time and wisdom, have identified what they believe to be Hong Kong's strengths.
Dr Roy Chung Chi-ping, who took his power tools company Techtronics Industries global to great success, wants local business people to look beyond Hong Kong and China to the world. Banker Victor Chu Lap-lik says the education system has to change so that the talent and language skills of our youngsters can be improved. Fredric Mao Chun-fai, a five-time best director winner at the Hong Kong Drama Awards, believes inventive policies are needed for the arts so that a "Made in Hong Kong" brand can be created. These are the sorts of ideas we need to hear and talk about.
There has been a lack of debate about how our city should move forward. Our series is a small part of that; others need to join in and get wide-ranging discourse under way. Blaming each other, tourists and politicians for troubles achieves nothing. Instead, there has to be ideas, vision and discussion.