Hong Kongers in the UK debate the ‘yellow’ economy and revitalizing Hong Kong’s civil society abroad

Established in May, the Overseas Hong Kong Media Professionals Association (AOHKMP) held a two-day seminar on “Rebuilding Hong Kong Civil Society Overseas” on June 11-12 in London, England.

Shi Shan, a political commentator for the Epoch Times in Hong Kong, arrived in London early. Shi, was invited by Joseph Lian Yizheng, former Editor-in-Chief of the Hong Kong Economics Journal, to conduct an exclusive interview/discussion to give Hong Kongers a taste of the event. Lian explained the purpose and importance of the event while speaking about the heritage and development of Hong Kong culture abroad. He particularly emphasized the importance of reviving the “Yellow Economic Circle”. Yellow business circle denotes companies that were supporters of the pro-democracy movement during the 2019 protests.

Many people attended the event. Many resettled Hong Kong media professionals and commentators were in attendance, including former Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) English presenter Steve Vines; former television screenwriter and commentator Stephen Shiu Yeuk-yuen; Scholar Simon Shen Xu-hui and former RTHK radio host Tsang Chi-ho. They all came together in the UK for the Rebuilding Hong Kong Civil Society Overseas conference.

Fight for democracy while building a self-sufficient economic system

Lian Yizheng said during the interview that the 2-day seminar was very well received due to the number of people who registered online. “Every day the visitor traffic is between 1000 and 1500 participants. Although we have no idea if agents sent by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will be seated, the event lasts over six hours every day.”

This event was not a simple symposium. It was mentioned in the preview that there would be commercial activity.

Lian Yizheng explained that the concept of the service is because the venue is far from commercial centers. For the convenience of attendees, the organizer would provide two days’ worth of food supplies and snacks. In addition, to facilitate the care of the accompanying children, the organizer bought small things to entertain them so that they do not get bored.

Such commercial activities had led to questions as to whether the association had organized a carnival. Lian said directly, “These activities have a deeper purpose. The concept is to encourage traders to support the Yellow Economics Circle during the June 12 anniversary.

Lian hoped while fighting for democracy, they could also develop a self-sufficient economic system.

Lian Yizheng specifically mentioned that during Hong Kongers’ anti-extradition movement in 2019, Yellow Shop (pro-movement) traders protected protesters at the worst and most violent time; They always provided food and drinks. After the movement was over, these yellow merchants were repressed and harassed by the police and gangsters. As a result, many yellow shops have been closed or even moved out of Hong Kong.

Lian was very grateful to the yellow shops supporting the protesters. The Overseas Hong Kong Media Professionals Association mission also looked at Hong Kongers in exile and whether they could be like the Jewish people. Jews inherit and maintain their own cultural and national bloodlines. He also shared his hopes that Hong Kongers would possess the resilience of Jewish culture and its economic strength.

“Jews had left their homeland for 2000 years. After 80 generations of heritage, they were still able to maintain their own culture and recognition; Finally, they could seize the opportunity to fulfill their dream and return to rebuild their own country. Most importantly, they have retained their strength and culture,” Lian said.

Lian admitted that besides the CCP’s interference, his own negligence also led to the misunderstanding about the event.

Lian recalled that the initial promotion was far from perfect, leading to the misconception that he was organizing a “carnival”. Lian said it was a wake-up call, reminding everyone that under no circumstances should they treat or promote the June 11-12 event as a “carnival.”

Stepping on cultural heritage so as not to lose a generation

Shi Shan personally experienced torment. During the 1989 pro-democracy movement, a group of Mainland Chinese students (youth) came overseas. After about 30 years only a few groups had survived the storm. How can Hong Kongers learn from their lessons?

Lian Yizheng openly admitted, “There was a pioneer who studied abroad and published a book in the 1970s. The book talked about this problem. Almost all exile movements or overseas movements had disappeared in a generation. That is shocking. He could produce a lot of historical evidence.”

He therefore urged Hong Kong exiles to think seriously about the strength of heritage. “How strong will the strength be when all exile communities pull together? It certainly won’t go away after a generation. Every minute counts.”

The CCP’s divisive tactics caused distrust among foreign groups

From the perspectives of cultural research, She Shan examined why Chinese students who went abroad due to the 8964 Tiananmen Movement could not stay even established groups like Civil Human Rights Front, The Democratic Alliance after 30 years.

He thought one of the reasons was the CCP’s infiltration, leading to growing distrust between people.

Lian mentioned that Falun Gong is also one of the groups that the CCP has been persecuting for 23 years. He discovered that the most significant difference between democratic movement organizations and Falun Gong was that Falun Gong is a cultivation practice that has spiritual core values ​​and strength. Hence their ability to distinguish between lies and facts and avoid a split.

She Shan reminded Hong Kongers, “These tactics of CCP infiltration are effective. Whether you’re a local Hong Konger or an overseas one, you need to remain perceptive lest you fall into their circle. The Yellow Economic Circle is also a place where the CCP will hit hard, it will definitely happen.”

Lian agreed that he hoped friends of the movement would understand the mission of his event and the development of the Yellow Economic Circle.

He explained: “If anyone asks if 6.12 is a serious event and if it should have a commercial element, let me say we are not just using the event to make a profit. On the contrary, we want to develop an economic base in the movement to support the development of the movement.”

Referring to the accusation of being backed by foreign powers and accepting US dollars and British pounds, Lian said, “It’s not like that, if we took money, the direction and basis of the movement would be easily deviated from the interests of others influenced and restricted countries. We want to be economically independent.”

Hong Kong is culturally diverse and distinct from Cantonese

In the interview, She Shan and Lian Yizheng discussed the specifics of Hong Kong culture. Lian found Hong Kong’s culture to be diverse. It contains deeply rooted Chinese culture as well as over a hundred years of Western traditions; and don’t forget American influence after Britain left in 1997.

With the intention of television in the 1960s and 1970s, Japanese culture had also influenced Hong Kong through TV drama series.

Hong Kong’s cultural origins and composition were diverse, not uniquely composed.

Lian mentioned that Hong Kong also inherited the culture of southern China. The cultural factors of ancient Chinese, Cantonese itself retained many elements of ancient scholars. As Cantonese arrived in Hong Kong, new elements and cultural connotations were added, particularly the witty vocabulary used by young people today.

She Shen deeply understood that the Hong Kong language had become a culture of its own. Hong Kongese is different from Cantonese.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for Hong Kongers from home and abroad to communicate

After the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, more Hong Kongers migrated overseas. Can foreign Hong Kongers still keep in touch with local Hong Kongers?

She Shan is concerned that recent talks about the Hong Kong government’s suspension of Telegram could only be the first step. Later they could ban Whatsapp or other communication software programs. Users could be arrested. Is communication between local and foreign Hong Kongers becoming increasingly difficult?

Lian shared: Before the reform and opening-up in the 1960s and 1970s, it was impossible to spread information between China and overseas. They had to use every possible channel to communicate. Overseas people listened to the core radio news, then peeled off the layers to grasp the real situation in China. He also worried that if the CCP became more leftist, it would pose a greater challenge to disseminating information.

Overseas Hong Kongers may then have to rely on the gossip of those coming from Hong Kong for the truth.

Nina Wong contributed to this article.

consequences