Hong Kong science fiction giant Ni Kuang died on July 3 at the age of 87.
The night after the incident, the Bureau of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a brief press release yesterday morning (4th) expressing regret over the passing of Ni Kuang.
Some politicians have noticed that the death of a famous person in the literary and art circles, the Bureau of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in less than a day, has obvious differences in the words used in the eulogy for the death of the famous directors Luo Qirui and Ni Kuang, including the use of "the bureau" instead of "the bureau". The identity of the "Secretary" expressed his position on Ni Kuang's death, and the content was much simpler. It seemed to "keep a distance" from the deceased, which did not match Ni Kuang's popularity.
Some people think that Ni Kuang's literary achievements are very high, but his political stance is anti-Communist. It seems that under "political correctness", officials dare not associate their name with Ni Kuang. The level of tolerance of dissidents is not as great as it used to be.
Some members of the Legislative Council pointed out that the government's response to the press release was a show of respect for Ni Kuang.
"Readers will miss" VS "We will miss"
As the saying goes, "the dead are the greater." In politics, no matter how many differences the other party had with him during his lifetime, it is also a basic etiquette to show respect when the other party dies.
How to deal with news about the deceased has always been a compulsory subject for politicians. Whether it is immediate response, word choice, it can reflect the mind of the person concerned and the overall atmosphere of the society.
On the same day, the news of the death of famous directors Luo Qirui and Ni Kuang were reported in Hong Kong yesterday.
The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sent a 282-word condolence to Luo Qirui yesterday afternoon. In the name of Director Yang Runxiong and Permanent Secretary Huang Zhizu, the title mentioned the word "mourning". Both of them named Luo Qirui's achievements in the film industry. Huang Zhizu said "We are deeply saddened by his passing and will always miss him."
As the so-called "something hurts", after less than a day, the Bureau of Culture, Sports and Tourism made a statement on Ni Kuang's death in only 89 words. In the name of the bureau, he "deeply regrets" and said "Although he has left, I believe he likes his works. He will still miss him.” In contrast, the bureau did not directly express nostalgia for Ni Kuang, but only “people who like his works” will miss him, and the words have a clear sense of distance.
questioned about political stance
The author reviewed the government's past condolences on the death of famous people, and found that most of the press releases mentioned the names of relevant officials.
When Jin Yong (Cha Liangyong), a martial arts novelist who was also known as one of the "Four Talents in Hong Kong" and who was as famous as Ni Kuang, passed away in 2018, the then Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Secretary for Home Affairs Liu Konghua expressed their condolences by name. , and detailed Jin Yong's achievements in martial arts novels; because Jin Yong participated in the work of the Basic Law drafting committee before his return, Lam also praised his political contributions.
Wang Zhimin, then director of the Liaison Office of the CPC Central Committee, also sent a message of condolence to Zha Liangyong's family, saying that he expressed deep condolences and deep sorrow for his death, and praised Jin Yong's works with deep national justice and family and country feelings.
Some politicians privately told the author that they noticed the news of Ni Kuang's death in the government's apparent "cold treatment": "Everyone knows that Luo Dao (Luo Qirui) and Ni Kuang are both outstanding figures in the literary and art circles, but in terms of fame, Ni Kuang is more famous than Luo Qirui. Even worse, the officials have such different attitudes towards the two people in one day, and their attitudes are quite obvious.” Especially Ni Kuang was anti-Communist throughout his life, whether in words or articles, he was very ruthless in his criticism of the Chinese Communist Party. It is inevitable that people will question the government's attitude and Ni Kuang's political position.
Zhu Ziluo, spokesman for the Democratic Party's civil affairs policy.
(file picture)
Democratic Party Member: Something is better than nothing, but Ni Kuang deserves more space
Zhu Ziluo, a spokesman for civil affairs policy of the Democratic Party, said that the difference in the way the government press releases are handled is believed to have something to do with Ni Kuang's political stance. Ni Kuang was clearly anti-Communist in the past. Perhaps government officials would feel that because of Ni Kuang's popularity, it would be very abrupt not to publish the press release. He didn't dare to praise the other party too much: "It is better to publish a manuscript than not to mention it at all. To be honest, in today's environment, I am personally surprised that the government will issue a eulogy."
However, he agreed that, given Ni Kuang's achievements in the literary world, the official eulogy deserves more space. Moreover, although Ni Kuang has different political stances, most of his literary works do not express any clear political orientation. They are mainly science fiction. The focus is on its literary achievements.
Tsang Yam-kuen praised Situ Hua's death 11 years ago
In the past ten years, not many veterans of the democratic party have passed away. The number of democratic party members who have published tributes to the previous government has been counted to Situ Hua, a veteran of the Democratic Party who passed away in early January 2011.
The then Chief Executive Tsang Yam-kuen, Chief Secretary for Administration Tang Ying-nian, and Executive Council Convenor Leung Chun-ying all issued statements expressing their condolences or regrets, among which Tsang Yam-kuen praised even more: "Mr. People are upright and stubborn, always stick to their ideals, and never say no
However, some pro-democracy activists lamented that "this time is another time". Since the turmoil of the amendment bill, social and political antagonisms have persisted, and even the official attitude towards the deceased has been affected. The tradition that people with different political views still respect each other is gone No return, "I believe that with Ni Kuang's measure, his spirit in heaven will not mind these things." However, some members of the establishment also pointed out that the social atmosphere has become so antagonistic, and the opposition also has a certain responsibility: "During the 'black violence', so many people were killed by The violent attack was severely injured, what did they say themselves?”
Fok Qigang: Ni Kuang's death is a loss to Hong Kong's literary world
Fok Kaigang, a member of the Legislative Council's sports and performance circles and the vice chairman of the Home Affairs Committee, replied to the author's inquiry: "Mr Ni Kuang is one of the four talents in Hong Kong. Good to go, condolences to the family."
Cheng Yongshun, chairman of the Legislative Council Home Affairs Committee and DAB, said that Ni Kuang and Jin Yong symbolize the culture and collective memory of generations of Hong Kong people. During his past studies overseas, he also brought the two people's works to read repeatedly. Ni Kuang's death is definitely a cultural phenomenon. "If we want to pay tribute to these predecessors, the best way is to support the backwardness of the local literary and art circles."
Zheng Yongshun: The government has shown respect
When asked about the handling of the government's news announcement, Zheng Yongshun believed that the government's response to the press release was a show of respect for Ni Kuang; from a personal standpoint, he pointed out that although Ni Kuang's political views were different from the official one, he would respect his literary master. status.
"I believe that Mr. Ni Kuang is a person who loves Chinese culture after all."
Ni Kuang's death｜After being a young police officer, he turned anti-Communist "Chasing the Dragon" and predicted "the destruction of the eastern city" Jacky Cheung is patriotic｜Supporting the singer, mourning Ni Kuang's debate on Hu Xijin: resolutely fighting for Hong Kong independence and Taiwan independence Ni Kuang passed away｜The Culture and Tourism Bureau issued a post the next day expressing regret: I like it People who work on his works will still miss him when Ni Kuang passed away | "Wesley" went to heaven Shenxicheng: Brother Ni left this afternoon
