Postcard From Hong Kong 05
Hong Kong, like Britain, is an island; in fact a collection of islands and a land mass called the New Territories. Unlike the UK, though, Hong Kong is fast developing. Wherever one looks cranes, cement mixers and high rise buildings abound. The airport, now on the old fishing island of Lantau, is linked to the deep water harbour of Hong Kong by spectacular bridges and tunnels; a testimony to their seriousness of intent, which has accelerated since the British pulled out in 1997.
In this land of mini skyscrapers the population all seem to be pleasant, bright and friendly, doubtless realising just how far they have come since Mao Tse Tung swam down the Yangste in the 60s, exhorting the peasants to obedience to the little red book and to the policy of kill-an-intellectual-a-day. |
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It is incredible what the new generation of leaders has enabled the population to achieve by following a unique brand of ‘state capitalism’. Everywhere one looks there are modern buildings of concrete steel and glass looming out of the harbour often wreathed in mist.Yet these enterprising, energetic people are in a hurry, for they have still further to go on their long march which eventually could lead to lead to economic supremacy. Meanwhile we in our island home drift rudderlessly, obeying all the new EU legislation, creating a new army of bureaucratic non-productive snoopers - Health and Safety Regulators, Fire Officers, Planning and Building Officials, Quango Operatives, local authority bureaucrats etc sapping our drive and our productivy.
‘America’, did I hear you say? It is too fond of spending billions on being ‘world sheriff.’ No, these folk from the Stone Jungle are showing us how one can get the balance of state and private enterprise right for the 21st century. So, watch out world, for Confucius was right when he said ‘let the people do what the people can best do’ for, since ’97 the New Territories are spawning a New March Forward which could well take us all by surprise.
The consolation, though, is that since then English is spoken more often. Indeed, there is such a fondness for all things associated with the ‘old regime’ that could work in the UK’s favour - if only we wake up to the fact.
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