weekly
Written by: Hao Ziyu
2021-05-24 18:00
Last update date: 2021-05-24 18:00
On March 1, 2020, the Bauhinia Party was established.
Like a thunder on the ground, this newly established political party has set off waves in Hong Kong's political arena.
The identity and background of the founders were quickly "understood", and both the democratic and the establishment were given "non-positive" evaluations.
Some people think that they are "underground party members" of the Chinese Communist Party. Some people say that they need to win a seat in the Legislative Council before they can prove their strength. Some analysts point out that the Bauhinia Party appeared to replace the traditional establishment... What exactly does the Bauhinia Party do? People too?
I believe that during this year, there has been enough information to answer. However, their identity background is not that important. The key is what they want to do and how to do it.
"Hong Kong 01" had a dialogue with the Bauhinia Party Chairman Li Shan, President Huang Qiuzhi, and Executive Committee Member Wu Junfei and other "Big Three" and learned that the Bauhinia Party is not going to take the "ordinary party path"-elections, but hopes to participate directly in governance , To construct a "superstructure" to serve Hong Kong.
Series of articles:
New forces governing Hong Kong.
1 | New Direction HK-"Grassroots Power" that is growing organically
New Forces for Governing Hong Kong·2 | The second generation of MPs, the second generation of riches from the land: the label will eventually be pragmatic
Hong Kong drifters and Xingang people are words commonly used by the outside world when they are members of the Bauhinia Party, but they themselves do not agree with these two terms, and they do not want this kind of differentiation in Hong Kong society to intensify.
Li Shan made it clear: "I am neither a Hong Kong drifter nor a "new Hong Kong citizen" who came to Hong Kong in 1997." He came to Hong Kong in 1993 and chose to settle in Hong Kong in 1995. "If you don't believe me, I will show you your ID card." As he said, he smiled and took out his wallet.
Although it is a joke, it also reflects the unreasonable demands of Hong Kong society for "purity of identity."
"I have been a permanent resident of Hong Kong for more than 20 years. I have fulfilled all my duties and possessed all the rights. My children were born and raised here. This is definitely my home. We cannot discriminate against us!" He emphasized .
Li Shan believes that whether Hong Kong drifts or Xingang people, these groups have not only been marginalized by Hong Kong society for various reasons in the past, they have also begun to marginalize themselves: "They do not participate in social politics, and when political conflicts intensify again and again, they Repeatedly discriminated against, under such circumstances, may be aroused political enthusiasm."
Bauhinia Party Chairman Li Shan (middle), President Huang Qiuzhi (right) and Executive Committee Member Wu Junfei (left) hope that the Bauhinia Party can give Hong Kong a strategic direction.
(Photo by Zheng Zifeng)
No matter what Xidong, "A Hong Kong citizen with a certificate"
Wu Junfei said: "We don’t like the term "Hong Kong drift". It sounds like it hasn’t landed or taken root. I always think that I am a Hong Kong person who was born in the Mainland—in Hong Kong, some people were born locally, in the Mainland, or even Hong Kong people abroad. We think that those who get permanent identity cards are Hong Kong people.” He yearned for the free, open and tolerant atmosphere of Hong Kong when he was young, and came to Hong Kong to settle in 2012; never thought, now “ "Hong Kong people" need to explain their place of birth and the length of their stay in Hong Kong to "prove" their identity.
Huang Qiuzhi began to study and live in Hong Kong at the age of 12. He still remembers that Hong Kong was very "human" at the time and would not discriminate against people because they were from the Mainland.
In Form 5, he received a government scholarship and went to study at United World College in the United States. During the interview, when asked "what he wanted to do in the future," he replied that he hoped to contribute to Hong Kong in politics. He did not expect that there is such a thing now. Chance.
Most members of the Bauhinia Party were born in the Mainland and settled in Hong Kong after studying abroad.
This background is also its advantage.
Li Shan pointed out that the changes and challenges in Hong Kong society have brought together a group of people who love Hong Kong: "We were born in the Mainland, and our feelings for the country are natural. We choose to live in Hong Kong, start a family, and have children. It must be because I love this place. Since I love this place, we need to do something-we were really too passive before. We all said that "the world is nothing, the mediocre people trouble themselves", but "the world will rise and fall, everyone is responsible", this is a Chinese tradition It is also the tradition of scholars. We stand up to serve the majority of Hong Kong people. In this process, we must unite all forces, regardless of the West and East."
As social animals, people are inherently in politics.
Li Shan said frankly that he would not have the idea of forming a party without the "turmoil" of recent years.
Regarding the society’s doubts about the economic and financial background of the Bauhinia Party, he was very frank: “In fact, you don’t have to think that politics is a politician’s business. It seems that only parliamentarians can "do politics." I once gave the first political philosophy course at Tsinghua University. What kind of people should Plato mentioned in "Ureme Kingdom" should be engaged in political career—those who have their own "other better things". In addition to politics, these people have other careers that they prefer. When problems arise in society , These people may choose to sacrifice their energy for personal career development and invest in politics."
Li Shan said frankly that he would not have the idea of forming a party without the "turmoil" of recent years.
(Profile picture)
Hong Kong lacks macro-strategic sensitivity
"Minor repairs and supplements" and "less doing and making less mistakes" have always been the administrative characteristics of the SAR government.
The so-called "the upper beam is not right and the lower beam is crooked." From the chief executive, the governing body, to the Legislative Council, and political parties, none have the courage to push forward reforms drastically, and they have no vision of long-term planning for the future of Hong Kong.
As a result, Hong Kong has never had any strategic planning and deployment. The development of the industry relies on "paying for nothing", "playing invisible" in the Greater Bay Area, and there is always a shortage of medical staff. "Upstairs" and "upstream" are always hopeless... Hong Kong has gradually turned from a dazzling international city to an unchanging conservative island-all these things make the Bauhinia Party blind to it and can't stand it.
For example, the civil service team used to be known for being clean and efficient, but before and after the reunification, it has become more bureaucratic and conservative. As a result, "civil service thinking" has almost become synonymous with solidified thinking, and has been questioned by the society.
In Li Shan's view, Hong Kong civil servants are slightly better in many respects than the mainland and Hong Kong. They are definitely qualified civil servants, but they are "lack of strategic vision."
But he does not think that this is a problem of civil servants themselves, because under the current system, they are only executors, and if a place is to develop, it needs to have the vision of the "bigger of the country" and a comprehensive strategy.
He also pointed out that the Bauhinia Party not only hopes to solve Hong Kong's problems, but also has a more ambitious goal-looking forward to Hong Kong becoming the vanguard of Chinese civilization and a model for the modern city in the world.
Wu Junfei believes: "To be fair, after the reunification, the Hong Kong government has made efforts to move Hong Kong forward. However, due to insensitivity to changes in the outside world, there are flaws in policy decisions." In the changing environment, people sometimes fail to notice the changes in the external environment-that is to say, the relationship between Hong Kong and the mainland is also related to changes in the world economy, and due to the environment in Hong Kong and Britain, Hong Kong people have never been involved in macroeconomics and strategy. In other fields, I didn’t get used to it when I was "masters of the house."
Therefore, in order to provide a systematic strategy for governing Hong Kong and to comprehensively improve Hong Kong's governance level, the "Bauhinia Think Tank" was established.
"At this level, those of us who have received better macroeconomic training overseas and have practical work experience can contribute." Wu Junfei pointed out, "It is impossible to have a think tank that can include all ideas, nor do we. I would say that, let alone that we have the truth. But in the "market" of think tanks, we have our own "products" and ambitions, and decision makers will choose from the various "products" provided by think tanks based on actual conditions. "
Hong Kong's civil servants used to be known for their efficiency, cleanliness, and neutrality, but in recent years they have been criticized for being bureaucratic and demanding to go to and from get off work on time.
(Information Picture / Photograph by Jiang Zhiqian)
However, there are many think tanks in Hong Kong that provide suggestions for the Hong Kong government. What is so special about the "Bauhinia Think Tank"?
Huang Qiuzhi explained that these think tanks have laid a good foundation for Hong Kong policy research, so that the research of the Bauhinia think tank does not have to start from scratch: "We are comprehensively proposing the best way to govern Hong Kong, that is, the future policy program. The biggest function of the Bauhinia think tank, It is to integrate existing research, add our ideas, design from the top, and condense it into Hong Kong's strategic route in the next 50 or 100 years."
He also pointed out that this is based on the background of the Bauhinia Party-including foreign, national and local perspectives: "We understand what the international community and the central government are thinking, and we also understand what the people of Hong Kong need. Putting these together, it is The way forward for Hong Kong. We are not going to throw out a plan of "treating the head for headaches, treating the feet for foot pain", after all, there are already a lot of them now."
Li Shan, who served as an adviser to the Central Policy Group when Tsang Yinquan was chief executive, said bluntly: "Although he has played the role of the most important think tank of the Hong Kong government, in fact, the Central Policy Group is also a "headache and foot pain". Big problems are still being fixed and small." He also quoted President Xi Jinping's "great changes unseen in a century" to describe how fast the current situation is changing.
Li Shan continued: "Under such circumstances, it is definitely not possible to plan according to one month or two months. The China Strategic Group was considered the highest-level think tank in Hong Kong at that time, and it lacked in this respect. Other think tanks More or less there will be such a problem. We are not limited to being a think tank. We will also support our approved candidates during the Chief Executive election. We hope that our research results will become the new Chief Executive’s strategy for governing Hong Kong and bring it to society. Real benefits."
Li Shan reiterated that the appearance of the Bauhinia Party was not to compete with anyone. The reason why it did not participate in the Legislative Council election in the first year of its establishment (that is, in 2020) was precisely because the Legislative Council had "only stocks, no increments."
(Profile picture)
Breaking the conventional model of "bottoming" votes
In economics, "stock market" and "incremental market" respectively refer to the existing market share that has been seen and the potential market share that may be stimulated.
To put it simply, "incremental market" is "from nothing to being"; "stock market" is "from being to best".
Putting this concept in the political arena of Hong Kong, one can regard existing political parties as "stock," and new parties as "increment."
As an economist, Li Shan uses this concept to describe the relationship between the new party of the Bauhinia Party and traditional parties.
Li Shan reiterated that the emergence of the Bauhinia Party was not to compete with anyone. The reason why it did not participate in the Legislative Council elections in the first year of its establishment (that is, in 2020) was precisely because the Legislative Council seats at that time "only had a stock and no increase. One goes in and one comes out.
He also said frankly: "Of course, it was also considered that our understanding of Hong Kong was not enough. In short, what the Bauhinia Party has to do is that no one has done or has not done the best. So we are with other parties. It's a supplement, not a competition."
Li Shan continued to point out that the events that have occurred in recent years have made the above-mentioned "supplementary position" very wide. In other words, the Bauhinia Party has more room to perform its abilities.
He said that all political parties will focus their efforts on elections, while the Bauhinia Party hopes to complete its ideas through the level of government governance.
He added: "Later, the DAB also proposed to actively participate in governance. Our goal is the same, but the Bauhinia Party will place Hong Kong in the context of Chinese history and look at problems from a more unique perspective."
Li Shan emphasized that participation in governance and governance is the same as the election of the Legislative Council. It is only a means or a method, not an end. It is not the goal of the Bauhinia Party to get seats. It is to provide the best service to the people of Hong Kong within its own capabilities. Under the current executive-led system in Hong Kong, the SAR government can best exert its strength in this area, so the Bauhinia Party hopes to participate in governance.
This inevitably makes people wonder: "Are you still a political party without seats?" However, Li Shan thinks that this is not a problem: "I don't think this is the essence of a political party. Political parties are meant to serve the public, and regions and legislative councils are just The way of service-of course, this is usually the most conventional way. But I think these ways are not necessary, or even the most effective. Therefore, all institutions involved in governance, the Bauhinia Party must actively participate." However, he also reiterated that the Bauhinia Party was not absent from the election.
However, both Li Shan and Huang Qiuzhi, the founders of the party, have clearly stated that they will not be "armored to stand in the election," but they will actively support their party members or "embrace" other parties.
Li Shan explained that the path chosen by the Bauhinia Party is to participate in governance, so it will recommend its talent pool to the government: "Hong Kong is not a party politics, and there is no ruling party. We hope to absorb, train and recommend some according to social needs. A patriotic talent in governing Hong Kong, serving as director-general, director-general, and even chief executive. Of course, this is just our expectation and cannot be controlled by us."
Entering the government and becoming the main body of the government is naturally the most effective way for a political party to realize its ideas.
Li Shan has also repeatedly emphasized that this is because the Bauhinia Party’s goal is to serve the people of Hong Kong, and the most effective means of service is to fully participate in governance. Therefore, when forming the party, they "targeted" the direction of participation in politics.
Regarding the discussion of what is a political party and its elements, Wu Junfei concluded that the core of politics is the operation of power, and as a political party or a political organization, its goal is to use and organize the resources of the entire society to build a better and harmonious social environment.
"We are a political party, with political rights as the goal, no matter what path we take." He explained as an example the Green Party, an international political party that demands "green politics"-although the Green Party does not have a ruling status in many countries, This does not prevent it from being a powerful party, which can influence the allocation of resources in the government and the political system—to a certain extent, this is the party that the Bauhinia Party wants to be.
Based on the executive-led principle, party politics in Hong Kong has always been vague. For example, the Chief Executive cannot have a party background.
(Profile picture)
"Dilemma" may be broken through with innovative ideas
Based on the executive-led principle, Hong Kong’s party politics has always been ambiguous. For example, the Chief Executive cannot have a party background. However, all policy drafts involving public expenditure, political system or government operation can only be proposed by the government, otherwise the chief executive’s written consent must be obtained, and It requires more than half of the support in the "group counting" to pass, and the checks and balances are quite weak.
Whenever the public blames a party for its ineffectiveness in discussing politics, the party will evade it and think that the government has done nothing, and the government will fight back that the party has failed to train and send more political talents to it—the two sides are unable to hold on to it, but fail to reflect on it. , Do not seek change.
Hong Kong has been wasted for so many years. What happened to the political parties and the government?
What do politicians need to reflect on?
How should Hong Kong change?
Huang Qiuzhi took Shenzhen’s regularly updated long-term plan to create super-fast GDP growth as an example, and shared his observations on Hong Kong’s problems: "Who makes plans for Hong Kong? How far should Hong Kong reach in 2035? We (Bauhinia Party) emerge, It is to give Hong Kong a strategic direction. At present, our government is a management government, a government that is "active and non-intervention". It is impossible to rely on such a government to lead Hong Kong forward. Unless the governance team is changed Unless there is a good way to govern Hong Kong, unless public officials can do their best for Hong Kong...otherwise, Hong Kong will never change."
Why is there an overlap between the old and the new in the political arena for a while, and why does "reform" be regarded as the essence of the unanimous agreement?
This is because the existing governance cannot really be regarded as "promising."
The deep-seated contradictions gradually became apparent, the glamorous fig leaf was torn off, and everyone understood that there was "a problem" in government governance, and Hong Kong was in a predicament.
"Reform" is not only proposed today, but there has never been a specific plan, and no one has the courage to implement it boldly.
So, how will the Bauhinia Party, which is committed to providing the Hong Kong government with a good way to govern Hong Kong, face one difficulties after another?
Huang Qiuzhi pointed out that the emergence of the Bauhinia Party has put forward forward-looking concepts in many areas, including patriots ruling Hong Kong, legislative council reform, real estate democratization, economic integration in the Greater Bay Area, and civil service reforms.
To transform it into actual concrete program policies, the Bauhinia Think Tank needs to design a program based on these directions in future work, with a view to adopting it by the next Chief Executive.
Among them, the housing policy proposed by it has been controversial, that is, to "eliminate real estate hegemony". It is necessary to establish a nationally owned real estate development company in the form of "funding by the whole people, one share per Hong Kong person (10,000 Hong Kong dollars)".
In addition, the Bauhinia Party also proposed to sublet public housing for sale.
However, this involves whether everyone can understand the financing model, whether the grassroots citizens can put out 10,000 yuan, how to price public housing sales, how to balance the "use value" and "exchange value" of housing, and even what Hong Kong people lack Is it the place of residence or the ownership of the house?
The housing policy proposed by the Bauhinia Party has been controversial, that is, to "eliminate real estate hegemony". It is necessary to establish a nationally owned real estate development company through the form of "funding by the whole people, one share per Hong Kong person (10,000 Hong Kong dollars)".
(Information Picture/Photographed by Chen Zhuohui)
"What we want to express is that we will consider any possible plan-you can build a house on brownfields, you can sublet for sale, and there are many ways. Which one is the most suitable? What kind of supporting facilities are needed? These can be studied in our future. China's "dead medicine". Now I just put forward the concept first." Huang Qiuzhi explained that the Bauhinia Party is making a comprehensive conception. As for how to take all possibilities into consideration, the best answer has not yet been found-and there is no need to immediately Found, but the real estate monopoly must always be resolved, and the concept of direction must be put forward first.
Faced with doubts and even doubts from all walks of life, Li Shan said that the Bauhinia Party’s proposal did not come from a thin air, but through consulting many experts, using rigorous research methods, repeated comparisons, so the above plan is targeted, "at least Able to attract jade."
He believes that his plan can not only solve the problems at the grassroots level, but also the problems of the whole society, and even the budget allocation of the Hong Kong government.
He pointed out: "Sun Yat-sen talks about "knowing the difficulties and doing the easy". When speaking in public, we cannot write all the details. We must first point out the key to the problem. If we really want to implement the rent-for-sale plan, I am afraid that there will not be a few hundred pages. I don’t understand. If the selling price is “as cheap as possible,” our principle is, then what is considered “cheap”? All these technical issues need to be discussed.”
What the Bauhinia Party hopes is to use its economic and financial knowledge, market experience, and research capabilities to find new ideas for the deadlocked social conflicts.
(Profile image/Getty Images)
The "party in action" is the next step of the Bauhinia Party. In addition to advising the government, they will also act within their capabilities.
Li Shan said that this is because the housing policy has never been properly handled: "We are engaged in finance, so we put forward an innovative idea-to use market-oriented solutions. In fact, the housing policy we put forward may be in one way or another. In the face of technical issues, there are ill-conceived aspects. But its essence is to use market-oriented methods to solve the problem."
He further explained: "Just like what the mainland demands-to play the decisive role of the market in the allocation of resources. The same principle can also be applied here. Our goal is to solve the fairness problem and help the disadvantaged. And we are not just calling, but It is to take action-whether we are involved in governance or not, we use innovative and market methods to realize our yearning for fairness and justice."
In other words, what the Bauhinia Party hopes is to use its economic and financial knowledge, market experience, and research capabilities to find new ideas for the deadlocked social conflicts.
Wu Junfei explained by using a physical experiment as a metaphor to find the reason behind a phenomenon in the experiment. When no causality can be found with the old methods and the old elements, he will assume that there are new variables.
This is also the reason why the Bauhinia Party emerged-it hopes to attract more attention to issues such as land issues, education issues, industrial policies, and the future economic integration and development of the two places, so that everyone can explore more.
"We are also trying to use new methods and policies to solve these problems. I think this is also the current Bauhinia Party's greatest contribution to Hong Kong policy." He said.
Reject Murphy's law and be optimistic about Hong Kong
"We have to be optimistic. Just like Murphy's Law in psychology, if the public considers the worst, this worst result may really be achieved. On the contrary, if we make choices with a positive attitude, It won't produce bad results." Wu Junfei said with a smile.
It is true that Hong Kong is facing many difficulties. "Is there any rescue?" and "How to save" have become concerns and questions from all walks of life.
Li Shan believes that "one country, two systems" is the biggest advantage of Hong Kong's future development.
(Profile picture)
In this regard, Li Shan said that the Bauhinia Party is optimistic about the future of Hong Kong.
The so-called "organism in danger" is precisely because of the prominent social contradictions that people take more seriously to deal with these long-standing problems.
He pointed out that any reform is the redistribution of interests. The so-called redistribution does not mean that everyone is equal. This requires social consensus to achieve.
Without these crises, people would not be willing to compromise, let alone build consensus.
He believes that "One Country, Two Systems" is Hong Kong's greatest advantage in future development. Hong Kong will also continue its status as "China's most dazzling Pearl of the Orient", and best combine and practice the advantages of capitalism, socialism, and Chinese and Western cultures, and become a global model. .
Hong Kong cannot only rely on the title of "financial center", but also develop other industries.
He hopes that Hong Kong can become a data center in Asia-this requires a sound legal basis. Hong Kong can fully assume this responsibility and establish the best legal system so that all localities have the confidence to put their own data here.
When industries supported by data develop, Hong Kong will become a technology center.
He concluded: "We did not form the party with some sadness, but saw the opportunity and saw where we can make a contribution."
The Bauhinia Party believes that Hong Kong can create "three visions."
Regarding this, Huang Qiuzhi gave a detailed introduction: First, Hong Kong must "strengthen itself."
This requires solving deep-seated problems such as housing, education, and the economy. At this stage, self-reliance is the easiest way to achieve.
Second, Hong Kong needs to be in line with the development of the Mainland.
"We are backed by the "big rear" of the Greater Bay Area, and the Greater Bay Area hopes to go international. Can the Shenzhen government and the Guangzhou government have the ability to do it? Who has the most experience, ability and resources? It is Hong Kong. Hong Kong must grasp it. This opportunity is to be a leader in the Greater Bay Area and lead the Bay Area to the world.” The third vision is to consolidate the bridge between China and the West.
He believes that Hong Kong is most capable of telling Chinese stories to the West. At the same time, it can also convey Western doubts to China. That is to say, China and Western countries can run-in through Hong Kong, and Hong Kong can operate as a platform for economic and trade culture. .
"With these three carriages-economic self-reliance, the support of the Greater Bay Area, and the status of an international bridge, how can Hong Kong have no chance in the future? How can it not shine again and become the best in the world? Such a vision is what the Bauhinia Party likes to see Yes, and I am willing to work hard for it." Huang Qiuzhi said.
The above was published in the 266th issue of "Hong Kong 01" Weekly (May 24, 2021) "Dialogue with the Bauhinia Party: Not taking the usual path and aiming to build a good prescription for Hong Kong". If you want to read the full text, please
click here to
sample the weekly newsletter and browse more in-depth reports.
Selected content of 266 issue of "Hong Kong 01" Weekly News:
[Cover Report] Is it about to face the end of the frenzy of strict regulation of cryptocurrency?
Five-day holiday drags on for ten years, the government is lazy to deal with the situation of the grassroots
Taiwan Epidemic "New Normal": Relearning how to prevent the epidemic
The distribution of sports resources is severely uneven. Are "non-elite" sports not worth promoting?
Contrast with the mainland's "housing can't live in speculation", Hong Kong is in the quagmire of "housing can't speculate"
Election of the Chief Executive of the Legislative Council Election of the Democratic Party Housing Policy Land Issues Public Housing Policy on Lantau Tomorrow Civil Servants Patriots Ruling Hong Kong Greater Bay Area Shenzhen
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/3I74UEXLYRBBRPGPSGWNN6WXH4.jpg)
