Forty-two years ago today, I was born in Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, as a third-generation member of an immigrant family from Singapore. I was raised and educated in Hong Kong. This is where I have built my career and where my children were born and are growing up in. Hong Kong is my home and where my heart is.

All Hong Kongers of my generation have experienced phenomenal changeovers in our lifetime: We grew up under colonial rule; we shared in the handover transition to the new Hong Kong ; and we have witnessed the rise of China. Each of these monumental shifts was accompanied by both hope and dreams about the future.

In due course, the entire 50-year span of the “one country, two systems “ will occur in our lifetime. As I discuss with friends the issues that our society faces, my peer groups of my generation acknowledge that we will bear the heaviest impact among all the generations coming before us, and we will also be the ones responsible for the outcome of how Hong Kong does in the future.  

Over the past year, a deep political crisis has engulfed our city, dividing and endangering our citizens . Violent acts have become routine. The youth have felt alienated and rebelled. They said, let's fight. “You burn, we burn together." The prevailing mood amongst the youth have been the most negative of recent decades. 

The new generation has grown up knowing no other system. Without the context that shaped the previous generations perspective, they are facing a seismic shift in their circumstances for the first time. Fear of change, accompanied by youthful energy and passion, has brought protest and violence to our streets. Yet I would ask our young people to step back, take a breather and make a realistic assessment of the situation.

The proposed legislation on national security, which is to be implemented later in the year, promises to help restore a stable environment for daily life , education, investment and commerce to resume. It will make Hong Kong safe again for the public, tourists , investors and institutions, and thus facilitate more capital inflow and more business opportunity, with all the accrued benefits to the city and its citizens that will bring. The important role of Hong Kong in the Greater Bay Area masterplan will be able to continue successfully, not to mention Hong Kong’s place as Asia’s World City, a vibrant destination that attracted people from all over the world the past several decades.   

Around the world, all major countries and cities are governed by national security laws. That is the norm and the reality. That has not prevented these countries be it USA, UK, Japan to Singapore, to name a few, from pursuing justice and upholding the doctrine of fairness in the community and marketplace. Hong Kong can do the same. I have confidence that the law will be implemented carefully and thoughtfully, and the new law will carry the city onwards past the year of 2047 and beyond, with stability and predictability. 

Hong Kong has been functioning well under the "one country, two systems" policy for nearly 23 years. Our economic and social model has been widely praised and successful. Thanks to our respect for the rule of law, we have one of the most impartial and efficient systems in the world. Not only our financial and commercial institutions , but our world class education and healthcare institutions are recognised globally.

Our social institutions remain robustly impartial. Hong Kong consistently ranks among the world's top 20 economies with the lowest level of corruption on the Corruption Perceptions Index since its launch in 1995. It ranked 16th least corrupt out of 180 countries/territories in the 2019 index. 

Our forefathers have endowed us with a unique heritage. A distinct identity has been passed on from one generation to the next, each making its texture richer and stronger. We must hold on to a common vision, despite our individual differences. That's what the Lion Rock spirit is about: inclusive, caring, cooperative, efficient, and hardworking. That's how our pioneer generation built their homes on a barren rock and launched one miracle after another here in Hong Kong. 

Each generation of Hong Kongers has reinvented the city in its own image. Each has come through times of crisis and emerged stronger. Now it falls on the shoulders of our generation to build on the solid foundation that our hard working forefathers have laid. 

It is time for my generation to reach out to our young people, help them to recognize what fantastic opportunities they have in this beautiful, vibrant city, and also the surrounding region, the Greater Bay Area. Are we doing our best for future generations? Have we tried our best to understand and help them ? They have heard stories about China from their friends , relatives and the media , but have they seen for themselves the incredible changes and the development in China? Let us teach them to be proud of their heritage and guide them to expand and fulfill their dreams. It is our responsibility to help the young generations by getting the basics right. We need to make sure they have access to suitable employment , and opportunities in entrepreneurship; to live with dignity and respect with their family members in decent, affordable housing; and up-to-date infrastructure for medical and education. We also need to pass on to them an open and harmonious society , in which different voices can be heard and are respected , one that is ultimately united around a commitment to the collective well-being, and not division, misunderstandings, violence and strife. 

In my public service roles as a council member of Hong Kong University and a court member to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, I see first-hand the intellectual excellence that powers our city. For example, last month, a team of Hong Kong University graduates won the world championship in the Microsoft Imagine Cup, a global tech innovation award, with a mental health companion web application leveraging Azure Analytics and AI services to advance youth therapy practices. This is just one example of many, that our youth are capable of world class achievements and innovations, if they are given suitable opportunities. And crucially , stability and unity in a society is key to enable such opportunities to arise. 

I never fail to marvel at the many miracles that we, the people of Hong Kong, working collectively, are capable of creating. Take for example the excellent Covid 19 management of Hong Kong. That displayed the quality of medical care , community spirit and government leadership. Let us never forget that Hong Kong is our home. All the simple moments we fondly recall – savoring curry fish balls and egg waffles with friends on the street; bargaining with hawkers for a good deal, amid the symphony of Canto pop and mahjong; taking beautiful walks across our country parks -- remind us that home is where the heart is. There is only one Hong Kong, for all of us, even if we hold different political beliefs and come from different backgrounds. 

Hong Kong people are remarkably resilient and have a deep love for their city. We always find a way to improve any situation – we built a shining city on a rocky island and turned a fishing village into a vibrant international financial , education, tourism and commercial hub. We must help our youth understand that there are many ways to help Hong Kong. Together, let's improve and elevate Hong Kong, our beloved home. To do that, we must embrace the youth and help them lead better lives. If our youth does well in HK , HK does well in the future. 

Daryl Ng
Chairman of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation 

June 12 2020