Shining Ever Brighter
On March 26th, Mrs. Carrie Lam was elected as the new Chief Executive of Hong Kong. She will assume office on July 1, 2017. Her win was no surprise. The former Chief Secretary was the overwhelming favorite among the 1200-member Selection Committee. Although many community and Christian groups supported another candidate, Mr. John Tsang, it was apparent that Mrs. Lam would emerge victorious with the support of powerful business and political sectors.
While Hong Kong is allowed to elect some of its legislators and district councilors by popular vote, the Chief Executive remains a small circle affair. Even so, citizens have high expectations for the incoming administration. They demand that the people’s voices be heard.
A few days before the election, the Hong Kong Christian Council held a public forum to gather opinions to convey to the incoming government. A formal statement was issued in the name of the HKCC’s Justice and Social Concern Committee.
The expectations fall into three main areas:
- To democratize constitutional development and to rebuild our faith in law and order, as well as the “one country, two systems” policy;
- To build a just community and to make livelihoods-based policies;
- To develop a sustainable society that upholds human rights, freedom and pluralism.
In any document of this nature, there is always the danger of presenting a ‘shopping list’ of demands that are impossible for any government to meet in one term. Still, the statement expresses the hopes and dreams of the average Hong Konger for the future – for a society where everyone is equal before the law, for decent working conditions and affordable housing, for protection of precious freedoms like speech, press, assembly and religion, where young and old are looked after, where clear air, clean water and green spaces are non-negotiable.
With the 20th anniversary of the 1997 handover coming up on July 1st, the government is gearing up for a big celebration. A video was recently released featuring glossy images of Hong Kong to promote the official theme song, “Hong Kong Our Home”, sung by an array of popular Canto-pop stars. Among the lyrics were these lines:
“Our beautiful Hong Kong shining ever brighter … Our beautiful Hong Kong up on the world stage … Step by step, we will carry on astounding the world as we always have”.
Critics called the song “fake” and “scary”. I must admit the video looked more like a tourist promotion than a song that expresses the heartfelt sentiments of the people. Certainly there was no hint of any of the conflicts and hardships since 1997 like the Asian economic crisis, the SARS epidemic, and the more recent democratic protests.
We all hope that Hong Kong will shine ever brighter and carry on astounding the world. But if that happens, it will not be because of the fireworks, shiny high-rise buildings, dragon boat racers and remarkably cheerful faces featured on the video. It shall be, in the words of the HKCC statement, because the new government administration matches up with real situation of the city and is humble enough to delve into the existing problems like the chronic wealth gap and the deep polarization in the community. Then and only then will we deserve the accolades of the world.
Mrs. Carrie Lam is reported to be a devoted Christian and she has been quoted as saying that she ran for the position as a response to the call from God. We pray for her and her administration as well as the Hong Kong Church and all people of goodwill. May we continually seek divine guidance so that together we can map out a truly brighter future for Hong Kong our home.
May I take this opportunity also to thank you for your generous support, both financial and spiritual, to the work of the Hong Kong Christian Council through Global Ministries. God has continued to astound us with grace and mercy. I remain ever grateful for the day I flew into Hong Kong in 1994 and every day count my blessings that Hong Kong is for now, yes, my home.
In Christ,
Judy Chan serves with the Hong Kong Christian Council. Her appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, and your special gifts.