Jimmy Lai Chee-ying: "Hong Kong People: Please Step Out with Your Conscience"
While browsing Scheherazade: K. Space who had left a comment on my previous post about an anonymous 78 year old man in Hong Kong who stated in an advertisement "will I see the day of universal suffrage", I discovered an op-ed piece titled "Hong Kong People: Please Step Out with Your Conscience" by Jimmy LAI Chee-Ying, founder and chairman of the Next Media group which publishes Apple Daily, a Chinese language newspaper in Hong Kong and Taiwan. For many years, Jimmy Lai has been calling for a faster pace of democracy in Hong Kong. In the op-ed piece, he articulates the demands for universal suffrage and urges his fellow compatriots to take to the street on December 4th.
Key points from the op-ed piece:
Below is a translation of the op-ed piece. I have omitted the part where LAI said he would give 50% discount out of his own pocket to people who wants to place a full-page advertisement on their democratic aspirations in Apple Daily. I have also skipped one or two other paragraphs where I found the message is somewhat repetitive.
I will try to translate a few other views on the topic from different strata of the Hong Kong community in coming days.
Jimmy Lai Chee-Ying, "Hong Kong People: Please Step Out with Your Conscience", Apple Daily (Hong Kong Edition), November 02, 2005.
Seventy-eight years old already and moral vitality remains exuberant, he made me felt with deep respect, so moved that I stand in shock and shouted out "Hallelujah!". Old man, you made me as a young person blush with shame. You let me regain the honor of being a Hong Konger. You reignite my hope for Hong Kong. You are a real Hong Konger.
There are many rich people in Hong Kong. But how many will take out hundreds of thousands of dollars to express their wishes from the bottom of their hearts? A lot of Hong Kong people have demands for democracy. But how many will bring their moral courage to advance democracy one step forward? A lot of Hong Kong people have moral courage. But how many are willing to pay the price to strive for a right that we are entitled to?
Yes, Hong Kong has many people with moral courage and have faith in democracy; the step that the old man took will for sure awake them. They will also step out to express their wishes. Hong Kong compatriots, let us take to the street on December 4th, join our hands and shout out: "When will we get universal suffrage?" The Basic Law has already given us such rights. It is time for us to get an answer.
Hong Kong's economy has improved a lot compared to last year. Since Tsang Yam Kuen assumed his post, the government has gradually regained its past efficiency and vitality. It is a good thing that this has made Hong Kong's people's life stable and happy again. But we cannot lose our determination because of such stability, give up striving for the right to universal suffrage, and even trample on Hong Kong people's dignity.
Hong Kong people are not souless bodies! We should not forget, a temporary recovery in the economy is not the guarantee of long-term stability. To live in peace, we need to live with dignity. This cannot depend on the charity of Beijing officials. Only democracy and freedom can give us such protection. When can we have universal suffrage?
[...]
You and I have to put a bit of effort into Hong Kong's democracy, for otherwise how do we have face to see this old man. Today if we don't contribute, one day when our next generation ask us, "Pa and Ma, have you ever strived for our future?", we will then be guiltly speechless?
Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city. This is not because we have modernized high rise buildings and advanced facilities. Hong Kong is at the forefront of the world because Hong Kong people have consciousness of modern civilization. We live at the forefront of modern civilization that has the pulse and depth of modern civilization. Upon spotting a stranger who has lost his way, we will not think: "what benefits we can find on him?" But will ask: "How can I help him?"
We are full of confidence, will be pro-active and not passive. We are not begging the Beijing officials for their charity. We are extending our arms, helping each other and creating a future together. We shall ask: "Can we get universal suffrage?" We shall say: "Yes." This is because we are modern man full of confidence.
We will not live ignobly under the shadow of a broken authoritarian dynasty. Under the shinning of modern open bright lights, we will not naively fear of authoritarian. With today's information transparency, with many eyes watching and monitor by the entire world, even the tyrant has to hide his poisonous evil clutches and fierce face.
Under the shinning of open bright lights, the people of Hong Kong has long been a part of the modern world's trend. With the world's attention, we don't have to fear. Let us bend our bodies and pick up the dignity that has been trampled by authoritarian, stand up and walk towards the world, become a proud citizen of global democracy. We will not fear, we have to roar: "When will we be able to get universal suffrage?"
We love Hong Kong, we love freedom, that's why we love universal suffrage: this is not an improper ambition. We do not want to overthrow the Chinese Communist one party dictatorship. We don't have such ambition. Such matters are left to the Chinese people and they will make their own choices. We only want to protect Hong Kong - the land of freedom that we love, strive for the right and dignity that we are entitled to. Democratic system is no longer an abstract political concept, nor is it a symbol of freedom. It manifests the moral conscience of modern man as well as the the mutal respect innate in human dignity.
China's democractic development is not something we can take care of, this is not that we don't love our country, but we can only do things that are within our capacities - that is to pull together Hong Kong people's determination and power, to obtain the rights that are entrusted with by the Basic Law, ultimately leading to universal suffrage.
We all know that once we have universal suffrage, once we become a democractic society, Hong Kong will become an extraordinary luxuriant democractic fruit tree in the motherland's arms. When the fruits are ripe, seeds will be spread by wind on China's soil, growing democractic sprouts. Yes, Hong Kong will light up the fire for China's democracy.
Famous Hong Konger people who are secretly helping the Chinese Communist pass on the message that universal suffrage in 2007/08 is too rush and is not practical, why not be more practical and find a more actual date, such as 2012 or 2017?
No doubt, politics is an art of consensus. But universal suffrage is entrusted in the Basic Law. It is not an improper ambition made up by Hong Kong people. If universal suffrage in 2007 / 08 is a one sided delusion of Hong Kong people, then there really needs to be a compromise. But this is a right that we are entitled to. We compromise even when there isn't a clear date set for universal suffrage, is this a compromise? No, this is an unconditional surrender.
Without an actual date for universal suffrage, we already surrendered unconditionally even when there isn't a negotiation on the date for universal suffrage, then are we serious about universal suffrage, or are we just kidding? Everyone please give a good thought to it, and also the ones that are acting as messengers for the authoritarians, please also give some good thoughts. We are serious about democracy.
If after we have strived and we still fail, then let us fail. But we can't surrender with our both hands raised when we haven't tried all our best. If we were destined to fail, then let us fail in honor. This way, we will leave a bit of a bright light for the democratic progress in China, and give our next generation an answer that they can be proud of.
Hong Kong compatriots, let us bring our conscience and step out. Let us, on December 4th, roar with our conscience: "When are we going to get universal suffrage?"
Key points from the op-ed piece:
- "universal suffrage is entrusted in the Basic Law. It is not an improper ambition made up by Hong Kong people."
- "We are not begging the Beijing officials for their charity."
- "We do not want to overthrow the Chinese Communist one party dictatorship. We don't have such ambition. Such matters are left to the Chinese people and they will make their own choices. We only want to protect Hong Kong - the land of freedom that we love, strive for the right and dignity that we are entitled to."
- "When will we be able to have universal suffrage?" (repeated four times througout the essay)
Below is a translation of the op-ed piece. I have omitted the part where LAI said he would give 50% discount out of his own pocket to people who wants to place a full-page advertisement on their democratic aspirations in Apple Daily. I have also skipped one or two other paragraphs where I found the message is somewhat repetitive.
I will try to translate a few other views on the topic from different strata of the Hong Kong community in coming days.
Jimmy Lai Chee-Ying, "Hong Kong People: Please Step Out with Your Conscience", Apple Daily (Hong Kong Edition), November 02, 2005.
Seventy-eight years old already and moral vitality remains exuberant, he made me felt with deep respect, so moved that I stand in shock and shouted out "Hallelujah!". Old man, you made me as a young person blush with shame. You let me regain the honor of being a Hong Konger. You reignite my hope for Hong Kong. You are a real Hong Konger.
There are many rich people in Hong Kong. But how many will take out hundreds of thousands of dollars to express their wishes from the bottom of their hearts? A lot of Hong Kong people have demands for democracy. But how many will bring their moral courage to advance democracy one step forward? A lot of Hong Kong people have moral courage. But how many are willing to pay the price to strive for a right that we are entitled to?
Yes, Hong Kong has many people with moral courage and have faith in democracy; the step that the old man took will for sure awake them. They will also step out to express their wishes. Hong Kong compatriots, let us take to the street on December 4th, join our hands and shout out: "When will we get universal suffrage?" The Basic Law has already given us such rights. It is time for us to get an answer.
Hong Kong's economy has improved a lot compared to last year. Since Tsang Yam Kuen assumed his post, the government has gradually regained its past efficiency and vitality. It is a good thing that this has made Hong Kong's people's life stable and happy again. But we cannot lose our determination because of such stability, give up striving for the right to universal suffrage, and even trample on Hong Kong people's dignity.
Hong Kong people are not souless bodies! We should not forget, a temporary recovery in the economy is not the guarantee of long-term stability. To live in peace, we need to live with dignity. This cannot depend on the charity of Beijing officials. Only democracy and freedom can give us such protection. When can we have universal suffrage?
[...]
You and I have to put a bit of effort into Hong Kong's democracy, for otherwise how do we have face to see this old man. Today if we don't contribute, one day when our next generation ask us, "Pa and Ma, have you ever strived for our future?", we will then be guiltly speechless?
Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city. This is not because we have modernized high rise buildings and advanced facilities. Hong Kong is at the forefront of the world because Hong Kong people have consciousness of modern civilization. We live at the forefront of modern civilization that has the pulse and depth of modern civilization. Upon spotting a stranger who has lost his way, we will not think: "what benefits we can find on him?" But will ask: "How can I help him?"
We are full of confidence, will be pro-active and not passive. We are not begging the Beijing officials for their charity. We are extending our arms, helping each other and creating a future together. We shall ask: "Can we get universal suffrage?" We shall say: "Yes." This is because we are modern man full of confidence.
We will not live ignobly under the shadow of a broken authoritarian dynasty. Under the shinning of modern open bright lights, we will not naively fear of authoritarian. With today's information transparency, with many eyes watching and monitor by the entire world, even the tyrant has to hide his poisonous evil clutches and fierce face.
Under the shinning of open bright lights, the people of Hong Kong has long been a part of the modern world's trend. With the world's attention, we don't have to fear. Let us bend our bodies and pick up the dignity that has been trampled by authoritarian, stand up and walk towards the world, become a proud citizen of global democracy. We will not fear, we have to roar: "When will we be able to get universal suffrage?"
We love Hong Kong, we love freedom, that's why we love universal suffrage: this is not an improper ambition. We do not want to overthrow the Chinese Communist one party dictatorship. We don't have such ambition. Such matters are left to the Chinese people and they will make their own choices. We only want to protect Hong Kong - the land of freedom that we love, strive for the right and dignity that we are entitled to. Democratic system is no longer an abstract political concept, nor is it a symbol of freedom. It manifests the moral conscience of modern man as well as the the mutal respect innate in human dignity.
China's democractic development is not something we can take care of, this is not that we don't love our country, but we can only do things that are within our capacities - that is to pull together Hong Kong people's determination and power, to obtain the rights that are entrusted with by the Basic Law, ultimately leading to universal suffrage.
We all know that once we have universal suffrage, once we become a democractic society, Hong Kong will become an extraordinary luxuriant democractic fruit tree in the motherland's arms. When the fruits are ripe, seeds will be spread by wind on China's soil, growing democractic sprouts. Yes, Hong Kong will light up the fire for China's democracy.
Famous Hong Konger people who are secretly helping the Chinese Communist pass on the message that universal suffrage in 2007/08 is too rush and is not practical, why not be more practical and find a more actual date, such as 2012 or 2017?
No doubt, politics is an art of consensus. But universal suffrage is entrusted in the Basic Law. It is not an improper ambition made up by Hong Kong people. If universal suffrage in 2007 / 08 is a one sided delusion of Hong Kong people, then there really needs to be a compromise. But this is a right that we are entitled to. We compromise even when there isn't a clear date set for universal suffrage, is this a compromise? No, this is an unconditional surrender.
Without an actual date for universal suffrage, we already surrendered unconditionally even when there isn't a negotiation on the date for universal suffrage, then are we serious about universal suffrage, or are we just kidding? Everyone please give a good thought to it, and also the ones that are acting as messengers for the authoritarians, please also give some good thoughts. We are serious about democracy.
If after we have strived and we still fail, then let us fail. But we can't surrender with our both hands raised when we haven't tried all our best. If we were destined to fail, then let us fail in honor. This way, we will leave a bit of a bright light for the democratic progress in China, and give our next generation an answer that they can be proud of.
Hong Kong compatriots, let us bring our conscience and step out. Let us, on December 4th, roar with our conscience: "When are we going to get universal suffrage?"
