Real value of Hong Kong’s handover celebrations will be felt for years to come
Matthew Cheung says the milestone offers an opportunity not just to take stock, but also look ahead, and its real value lies in the community’s concerted efforts to make the 20th anniversary a celebration for all
Anniversaries evoke all kinds of memories and emotions – and this is certainly the case in 2017 as we mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Many in our community strongly believe that the 20th anniversary is cause for celebration – that we should mark this milestone together as a testament to the considerable progress made over the past two decades, and as a juncture to consider the many opportunities in the years ahead.
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In an open and free society such as Hong Kong, there are bound to be different views. Some may be ambivalent; others may feel there is not much to celebrate.
But, whatever your take on the 20th anniversary, one thing binds us all, and that is the deep-felt love we have for Hong Kong. We all want Hong Kong to do well, and keep on succeeding. We all want it to become an even better society where everyone can have a decent home, a good education, access to health care and the freedom to pursue their dreams.
These are the common aspirations of the people and the government. In this respect, there is a unity of purpose – but, to make it happen, we must work together, put aside petty political differences and seek common ground.
The 20th anniversary provides us with a perfect opportunity to do just that – to collectively take a step back, reflect on what we have achieved, and to consider what we might be able to do as individuals and as a community to build a better Hong Kong.
