“When violence strikes to subdue legitimate rights, it is striking at the very fabric of our civil society, and our community has rightly responded with united and strong condemnation. The community must react with the strong hands of the law: let no criminal go unpunished.”
He said the essentials, the indisputable one the rule of law, must be guarded at all costs against invasion and the more subtle erosion, and that the judicial independence, which is the bedrock, should be cherished and guarded.
Dr Wong further spoke on liberty. He has heard lamentations that some of the young people today shun competition, particularly competition coming from outside of Hong Kong.
“They resort to different forms of protectionism or escapism, and camouflage them by grand facade. The “indigenous culture” and “the Hong Kong identity”, which are of course precious in themselves, are unfortunately deployed as a convenient exit from the race that must be run. Instead of seeking “globalization”, some have retired into “tribalization”.” Dr Wong said.
“On this type of soil, prejudice and discrimination, particularly on account of race, culture or background, spring up like weeds. Legitimate differences, fanned by some unfortunate scramble for limited resources, escalate into causes for intolerance, blame, repulsion, and even open conflicts. That will certainly bring Hong Kong down.” He added.
Dr Wong concluded that liberty on non-essentials should allow one to respect, regardless of races, cultures or places of origin, or people who think differently, speak differently or behave differently.
“Liberty on non-essentials also breaks the inertia to changes within oneself. It is the lifeline to creativity. It prepares the mind to be stimulated upon encountering differences and changes. It sets the mind free to depart from the old and conformist ways. It is the energy in the new waves that works powerfully within the person.” He said.
Finally, Dr Wong said the virtue above all is charity: which is the attitude of the individuals and the culture of the community to being keen to grab or dare to give.
“Amidst the changes and uncertainties, if we adorn all things with charity, there is still tremendous hope for Hong Kong.” He said.
For the speech of Dr Wong Yan Lung: https://www4.hku.hk/hongrads/index.php/graduate_speech_detail/325/91
For the speech of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh:
https://www.cpao.hku.hk/media/140318_Master_Thich_Nhat_Hanh.speech.doc
For details about the 190th Congregation and the citations and photos of the Honorary Graduates, please visit: https://www4.hku.hk/hongrads/index.php.
For media enquiries, please contact: Ms Trinni Choy (Assistant Director (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2606 / email: pychoy@hku.hk or Ms Melanie Wan (Manager (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2600 / email: melwkwan@hku.hk; or Ms Rhea Leung (Manager (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) Tel: 2857 8555 email:rhea.leung@hku.hk.
