TNAG-1361-FCO40-1807-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 265

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They are optimistic and contented, and think that they should bear no grudge for what they are given, have no doubt on what they get; their body may be repressed but their principles cannot be bent; their position can be changed, but their good name cannot be taken away. They also believe in the theory of

fate:

"Take water as an example. If given free

passage, it becomes a river. If obstructed, it becomes a pool. When it rises to the cloud, rain falls. When it sinks to the ground, the

earth is moistened."

Nevertheless, while position and fame may sound trivial, the freedom of movement is highly significant. When the "name" is not right, "movement" will not be smooth. One of the reasons why we treasure being Hong Kong people is that we can travel freely to other parts of the world on business or for study. Given the choice, one rather be a river than a stagnant pool. When one can rise up to the cloud, who is willing to remain forever in the ground?

Some may think like King Henry V in Shakespeare's

famous play:

"That he which hath no stomach to this fight

Let him depart; his passport shall be made."

But this concept is wrong. For if the people of Hong Kong are not given an effective passport, be it issued by the Hong Kong SAR Government, the competent authorities of the People's Republic of China or the authorities in the United Kingdom, they will not be able to "fight", i.e. to face the challenge brought by the Agreement, which is to maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. Sir Winston Churchill once said,

"The maxim of the British people is 'Business as usual'." the Hong Kong people, it should be "prosperous business".

For

Only