Born in Hong Kong, my major subject stream was Science in the secondary school, yet I loved doing Chinese History and picked up Chinese Literature in Form 4, without realising why I was so interested in them. By now I also encouraged my 2-year-old granddaughter to read Chinese idiom stories for building a better value of life. I believe we should not just inherit Chinese culture but also to make use of it critically in the interest of local society here. This is exactly how Australia attract and build multiculturalism in this nation.
No matter in and from where, Chinese seem to be under an invisible bondage. It’s our Chinese culture that makes Chinese indifferent to politics. Through Confucianism and education over the past 3000 years, autocratic rulers have rationalized Chinese giving up in politics. The Cultural Revolution had done massive damage to Chinese economy as well as impact in the following decades for Chinese to give up civil rights for a better materialistic living. So many Chinese from China seldom talk about political vision and social development. Chinese immigrants aim to support the governing body for self interest.
Until recently, Hong Kong immigrants too tend to stay away from discussing and participating in politics. The recent National Security Act in Hong Kong extends its extraterritorial governance to cover public opinions on Hong Kong/China made by Australians originated from Hong Kong. Possibly we shall see more Hong Kong Australians will be reluctant to express their opinions on what are happening in Hong Kong and China. This situation is quite similar to young Chinese students who do not wish to criticise Hong Kong or Chinese government.
I do not think so.
Chinese residing in Australia, upon their citizenship declaration, should embrace Australian values including democracy, freedom, equity and rule of law, with the right to ask for accountability of the governing body. To publish media as an Australian citizen I will persist in my belief on Sameway, whether it could violate extraterritorial governance under the law of Hong Kong.
Sameway serves Australian Chinese, and would connect to all Chinese globally through the internet publication. We do not have any intention to influence the Chinese or Hong Kong societies, nor should we have this duty to do anything. We honour the values of world-wide societies; I hope I could have your acknowledgement and support on this in the future.
I know persisting in this belief will make our operation harder. But I hope you can walk with me, persistently.
Mr. Raymond Chow, Publisher of Sameway Magazine