Hong Kong Movie: At the beginning, Big Boss B asked me to draw the death lottery

Chapter 204 One Person Among All Colonies—Self-Dissection from a Vietnamese Descent

On the day the Geneva Human Rights Council's investigation team arrived on Hong Kong Island, the sky was so overcast it seemed to weigh down the bustling metropolis.

Standing on the balcony of Bijia Mountain, He Yaozong gazed at the distant bay, his thoughts swirling.

With the Spring Festival approaching, the first phase of the Moxingling project is also nearing completion.

Hengyao will then own an office building in the Mount Mosing area.

"It's still too slow!"

Just as He Yaozong was feeling sentimental, his advisor Su walked quickly to the balcony, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat.

"Mr. He, the people from the Human Rights Council have just disembarked from their flight from Geneva and are already staying at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel."

Their hearing is starting tomorrow, and Fat Peng has already arranged everything; it's clearly all about the deportation of the Vietnamese!

He Yaozong turned around, a cold smile playing on his lips: "I've been dealing with reporters all this time, my lips are practically worn out!"
A hearing? Great, let them hear it all!

He gestured to his advisor, Su, to hand him a cell phone, and dialed a number.

"Inspector Lu, get ready to greet the officers who are recovering from their injuries. The Human Rights Council is coming."

I really want to know, do the police officers on Hong Kong Island even consider human rights?

The following morning at nine o'clock, the area outside the government headquarters building in Central was crowded with reporters.

The head of the Human Rights Council's special investigation team, a Swede named Hansen Berg, swaggered into the hearing room with six team members.

Behind them, Fat Peng and Chan Fong On smiled. Perhaps it was this ambiguous attitude from the Governor's Office that made these people feel superior in Hong Kong.

Before the hearing began, Berg spoke confidently to the camera: "The Hong Kong authorities' brutal repatriation of Vietnamese refugees is a serious violation of international human rights conventions, and we will conduct a thorough investigation into this matter..."

"Investigate your mother!"

In the crowd, a loud voice suddenly interrupted his performance, but no one knew who made the voice.

Everyone turned around and saw a dozen uniformed police officers entering the venue in a line, led by an officer whose arm was still in a cast.

Ho Yiu-chung walked slowly at the back of the group, impeccably dressed in a suit, with a smile on his face: "Mr. Berg, before you begin your 'investigation,' why don't you listen to the voices of these law enforcement officers? After all, human rights belong not only to refugees, but also to the citizens of Hong Kong Island and law enforcement officers, don't they?"

The room erupted in uproar, and Fat Peng's expression changed drastically. It wasn't that he hadn't expected He Yaozong to pull this stunt.

What he didn't expect was that, as the nominal Governor of Hong Kong, his control over the police force was so weak!
A dozen or so police officers who had been suppressing a Vietnamese refugee riot appeared at the hearing, and he hadn't even heard a word about it!

Berg frowned, then nodded reluctantly: "Of course, we are willing to listen to all sides."

An older policeman was the first to step forward; his left eye was still bandaged.

“Dear international friends, I am Constable 8765. Two weeks ago at the White Rock refugee camp, I was severely burned by a Molotov cocktail thrown by refugees.”

He ripped open his uniform, revealing a gruesome scar on his chest: "This is the 'human rights' you're supposed to protect? Hong Kong has supported them for over a decade, and now we're repatriating them through legal means. What kind of human rights have we violated?!"

The venue fell silent instantly, with only the sound of camera shutters clicking.

"I have been on duty for ten years and have never used force against civilians."

Another police officer, his voice choked with emotion, shouted into the stage in English: "But the thugs that day smashed my colleague's skull with iron bars and burned our brothers with gasoline! Mr. Berg, where are the human rights of us police officers?"

Berg's face darkened: "Violence should certainly be condemned, but the deaths of refugees during the repatriation process..."

"die?"

One of the officers interrupted him with a cold laugh: "So many Vietnamese guys armed with weapons charged into the police line, posing a serious threat to our lives. We were forced to fire only after three warning shots failed to deter them. According to Hong Kong law enforcement standards, is this excessive force?"

Marian, the French representative standing next to Berg, couldn't help but interject: "But the refugees just want a home..."

"Family?"

Upon hearing this, He Yaozong couldn't help but speak up, and he suddenly raised his voice.

“Ms. Marian, if you sympathize with them so much, why don’t you let France take these refugees in?”
Hong Kong Island is only one-third the size of the Paris region, yet it has to support nearly five million people!

Besides, their home is in Vietnam. Sending them back to Vietnam is essentially sending them home!

He took a CD with copied data, walked to the projector, and quickly pulled up a set of data.

In 1979, the Hong Kong British government accepted the first group of Vietnamese refugees and promised the international community that they would be properly resettled.

Thirty years have passed, and the number of these refugees has ballooned from a few thousand to tens of thousands!

Ho Yiu-chung cleared his throat as he spoke, then switched the scene to the crowded Sham Shui Po public housing estate.

"You keep talking about protecting human rights, but why don't you take a look at the living conditions of these underprivileged citizens on Hong Kong Island? Who will protect their human rights?"

Berger's forehead was beaded with cold sweat: "Mr. Ho, we understand Hong Kong's difficulties, but the international community has a responsibility..."

Berg couldn't understand how the Hong Kong British government could have such barbaric legislators.

Instead of showing the respect they deserve for their Human Rights Council, they have been so aggressive!

"responsibility?"

Ho Yiu-chung sneered: "In 1979, the United Refugee Agency promised to allocate $5000 per refugee per year, but less than one-third of it actually came into effect."

In 1985, the international community pledged to resolve the refugee problem within three years. And what happened?

He slammed his fist on the table: "I'd like to ask, what can five thousand dollars do? You're sitting in your luxurious offices in Geneva now, accusing us of human rights violations?"

The room was completely silent. Fat Peng's face was ashen, while Chen Fang'an desperately tried to wink at Berg.

Berg cleared his throat, trying to salvage the situation: "Regardless, the fact remains that live ammunition was used, resulting in the deaths of refugees..."

Ho Yiu-chung's eyes were sharp as knives: "Mr. Berg, all I know is that the Hong Kong Island police have their law enforcement powers."

Even if it were an ordinary citizen, he would still have the right to self-defense!
If you don't understand the laws of Hong Kong, then don't point fingers here. If you're so confident, why don't you go and take a walk around a Vietnamese refugee camp? There are still many refugees there who haven't been repatriated yet.

"At that time, you must not say or do anything. I will send someone to tell you that you instructed Hong Kong Island to deport them, and that when they attack you, you should not cry for help!"

The scene exploded.

Berg stood up abruptly: "Mr. He, you're just being unreasonable!"

"You are the ones being persecuted, so of course you're saying it's all nonsense!"
Mr. Berg, what I want to tell you is, don't take your Human Rights Council too seriously.

If your Human Rights Council really wants to solve the so-called human rights problems, why don't you go to Africa, where warlords are fighting each other, or South America, where drug lords are everywhere? Those are the places where you really need to solve human rights issues!
Otherwise, who can't talk a good game?!

Just as the meeting was in chaos, the advisor Su rushed over and whispered a few words in his ear.

Ho Yiu-chung frowned slightly, then regained his composure: "It seems today is truly a good day. The WTO delegation has also arrived in Hong Kong Island to reassess our free port status."

At the behest of the obese man, Chan Fong-on finally couldn't hold back and stood up: "Councilor Ho, this is the consequence of your reckless actions! The WTO's questioning will cause tens of billions of dollars in investment to withdraw from Hong Kong Island!"

He Yaozong calmly straightened his cuffs, ignoring Chen Fang'an, and instead turned his gaze to Fei Peng.

“Governor, you seem to have forgotten who signed the agreement to accept Vietnamese refugees in 1979?”
Who allowed these refugees to remain on Hong Kong Island for forty years? And who has wavered on the refugee issue, leading to this deeply entrenched problem?

He looked around the room and said, "All the problems facing Hong Kong Island today stem from the historical decisions made by the British Hong Kong government!"

Chen Fang'an, disregarding her composure, quickly jumped in to accuse He Yaozong: "He Yaozong, you're shirking responsibility! The WTO's questioning is clearly due to your aggressive deportation methods..."

"Secretary-General, since you care so much about international perception, why don't you explain why the hotel where the WTO delegation is staying happens to be the same one where you were classmates in Oxford?"

The room erupted in uproar again, and Chen Fang'an turned deathly pale.

What does this prove?

"It doesn't prove anything, I just want to say one thing to everyone here."

I, Ho Yiu-chung, do not accept any criticism or accusations. Why should I be blamed for things that even the Government of Hong Kong cannot solve?

Also, I forgot to turn off the stove while I was making chicken soup at home, so I have to go back now. You guys can continue chatting here; I'll take my leave now!

Leaving everyone looking at each other in bewilderment, He Yaozong turned around and left the scene.

They showed no leniency whatsoever to the delegation from Geneva, and their attitude was very clear—

If anything happens in Hong Kong, even if the sky falls, it will be Fat Peng who will hold it up.

After all, he was the nominal Governor of Hong Kong Island. At most, everyone would share the bitter consequences, but Ho Yiu-chung didn't care at all.

Reporters took photos frantically, Berg and his team looked ashen-faced, while Fat Peng quietly left.

That afternoon, the WTO delegation held a press conference to announce that it would conduct a 'comprehensive assessment' of Hong Kong Island's free port status.

Following the news, the Hang Seng Index plummeted by 5%, and several foreign companies announced the suspension of their investments in Hong Kong.

As night fell, He Yaozong stood in the war room of Hengyao Group, where a large screen in front of him displayed reports from major media outlets around the world.

While the BBC and CNN continue to criticize Hong Kong Island’s “human rights record,” local media outlets such as Oriental Daily News have begun to delve into the historical roots of the refugee crisis.

In his study at Bijia Mountain, Master Su was reporting some work to He Yaozong.

"Mr. He, please rest assured... According to Article 21 of the GATT Security Exception Clause, we have the full right to restrict the entry of refugees on the grounds of public order. International law is on our side."

"Did Big Leopard ask you to pass on these words to me?"

Master Su couldn't help but chuckle: "That's right, the Big Circle Leopards told you... don't worry, they won't let you charge into battle alone!"

Just as Master Su was about to say something more, the phone suddenly rang.

After pressing the answer button, the clerk, Su, said with a solemn expression: "Mr. He, the Chief Secretary's Office has sent an urgent notice that a special Legislative Council meeting will be held tomorrow morning, and you will be questioned about the WTO incident."
-
The Legislative Council meeting was packed the following day. Pang Ho-cheung personally chaired the meeting, while Chan Fong-on, carrying a stack of documents, prepared to launch a fierce attack on Ho Yiu-chung.

"Councilor He!"

Fat Peng started aggressively: "Because of your reckless behavior, Hong Kong Island is facing unprecedented international isolation."

Foreign investment is withdrawing, orders are being cancelled, and 80% of chambers of commerce have submitted a joint application to the Chief Secretary, demanding an explanation from the Hong Kong government. You are entirely to blame for all of this!

He Yaozong smiled; this was the first time Fei Peng had directly confronted him.

But he calmly stood up and said, "Governor, before you criticize me, I would like to ask everyone to watch a video." A newsreel from 1979 began to play on the big screen: the young Governor Murray MacLehose shook hands with the American representative and announced that Hong Kong Island would receive the first batch of Vietnamese refugees.

The voice-over is clearly audible—the US government has pledged to grant Hong Kong special privileges in trade quotas…

After the video ended, Ho Yiu-chung walked to the podium: "Forty years ago, the Hong Kong British government opened Pandora's box for a little trade benefit."

Over the past forty years, the refugee problem has escalated, and what have successive governors of Hong Kong done?

He pulled up a set of data: "Refugees occupy more than 30 square meters of public housing resources, costing taxpayers nearly HK$10 billion annually!"

Chen Fang'an couldn't help but interrupt: "Historical issues cannot be an excuse for your current radical behavior!"

Ho Yiu-chung turned to the entire room, still ignoring Chan Fong-on: "Fellow legislators, the economic difficulties Hong Kong Island faces today are not because we are upholding the rule of law, but because some people are willing to sacrifice the stability of Hong Kong Island for political gain!"

He pulled up the latest photos of Sham Shui Po public housing estates: "I have said more than once that I came from a public housing estate."

It is often said that where a person sits determines the decisions they make, but I'm sorry, I'm someone who doesn't forget my roots.

Now I want you to answer me: where are the human rights of these Hong Kong Island residents, families of five crammed into cage homes of less than 12 square meters?

His voice was firm: "The WTO is questioning our free port status, and all of you here are the most shrewd of the shrewd!"

It was not the WTO that allowed Hong Kong Island to become a free port, but rather Hong Kong Island's unique geographical location and historical context that created its status as a free port!
Don't you understand this?!

No one made a sound at the scene.

Ho Yiu-chung continued, "Since everyone here cares so much about Hong Kong Island's reputation, I propose that the Legislative Council establish a special committee to thoroughly investigate the historical responsibility for the refugee issue, and at the same time show the international community the true situation of Hong Kong Island!"

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Fei Peng hastily adjourned the meeting.

However, the media had already spread Ho Yiu-chung's remarks throughout Hong Kong. That evening, thousands of citizens spontaneously gathered outside the government headquarters, holding up banners that read "Support the rule of law" and "Hong Kong Island first."

That evening, the WTO delegation quietly left Hong Kong without issuing any statement, while the Human Rights Council announced a "temporary suspension" of its investigation into Hong Kong Island.

The protests outside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel grew louder and louder, with some even displaying large photos of police officers injured in the refugee riots.

Berg did not expect that the reaction from Hong Kong Island residents after the previous hearing would be even more intense than he had anticipated.

"Tell them to shout louder."

In a conference room at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, He Yaozong straightened his tie, while remembering his advisor Su's instructions: "By the way, have you contacted the reporter from the Oriental Daily?"

"I contacted them, and reporter Huang said he would do a special report listing all the public housing resources occupied by refugees and their medical expenses."

The meeting room door was pushed open, and Berg and his team walked in with grim faces.

“Mr. He, the demonstrations you organized have seriously interfered with our investigation.”

Berg's opening remarks were accusatory.

Ho Yiu-chung calmly poured himself a cup of tea: "Mr. Berg, Hong Kong Island is a society governed by the rule of law, and citizens have the freedom of assembly."

He pointed out the window: "These people came voluntarily. After all, you're carrying the name of the United Nations, which is terrifying. They just want you to hear different voices!"

Berg walked to the window and saw an elderly woman in a wheelchair being pushed to the front of the crowd.

She shakily held up a photograph of a young policeman covered in blood.

"That's my son!"

The old woman's voice came through the loudspeaker: "He had his ribs broken by Vietnamese refugees with iron bars while on duty at the White Rock refugee camp! People of the Human Rights Council, look at this, is this the 'human rights' you're supposed to protect?"

An angry roar erupted from the crowd, and Berg's expression changed. He quickly drew the curtains.

"The violence should be condemned, but there was indeed excessive use of force during the deportation process—"

“Mr. Berg.”

Ho Yiu-chung interrupted him: "Why don't we talk somewhere else? I'll show you the real lives of Hong Kong Island residents."

Half an hour later, Ho Yiu-chung's convoy drove into Sham Shui Po.

Clothes hung out to dry like colorful flags along the narrow streets. They stopped in front of an old tenement building, and several children playing there curiously gathered around.

"This building is 60 years old, and eight families live on each floor."

He Yaozong led Berg into the dimly lit stairwell: "Each apartment is less than fifteen square meters on average, housing a family of four or five."

Berg covered his nose, trying to avoid the damp, musty smell in the stairwell. He Yaozong knocked on a door, and an old man with a hunched back answered.

Upon seeing He Yaozong, the old man's eyes immediately lit up.

"Mr. He? You...you've arrived!"

"This is Mr. Berg from Geneva. He wants to learn about the lives of Hong Kong Island residents."

He Yaozong smiled at the old man, then pointed to Berg and introduced him.

The old man's cloudy eyes brightened: "Come in and sit down! But the place is small and dirty, please don't mind!"

In a room of less than ten square meters, a bunk bed takes up most of the space.

The wall is covered with certificates and photos, and a teenage girl is doing her homework while hunched over a folding table.

"My granddaughter is in her fifth year of secondary school this year, and she is doing very well."

The old man was very proud, and at the same time, he couldn't help but say with gratitude: "It's all thanks to Mr. He's sponsorship that she was able to study in Band 1 and have a good learning environment!"

He Yaozong waved his hand to signal the old man to shut up, then looked at Berg.

"Mr. Berg, do you think they need human rights?"

Berg was a little embarrassed, but asked the old man next to him in English, "How long have you been living here?"

As He Yaozong relayed the information truthfully, the old man began to count on his fingers.

After a long pause, he replied, "Thirty-eight years! I've been waiting in line for public housing for fifteen years, and I still haven't gotten my turn."

The government says resources are scarce, but some Vietnamese refugees are getting public housing as soon as they arrive. Why?

The people living in the ground floor housing estates are just poor, not stupid. They know exactly how to answer questions now.

Berg was speechless for a moment; he knew perfectly well whether Berg truly cared about human rights.

At the moment, I only felt that if I continued to stay on Hong Kong Island and cooperated with Christopher in investigating Ho Yiu-chung's human rights issues, he would be trapped in a thorny quagmire.

It seems it's time to leave Hong Kong Island...

After leaving Sham Shui Po, Berg's attitude softened considerably.

But what truly surprised Ho Yiu-chung was a column in the South China Morning Post the following day.

"I am of Vietnamese descent, but I support the deportation policy" - signed by Wu Youyong.

"Who is this Wu Youyong?"

He Yaozong asked his advisor, Su, during breakfast.

"I checked. He came to Hong Kong with his parents in 1975 when they fled there. Later, he obtained an identity card and now runs a Vietnamese restaurant in Kwun Tong."

The advisor, Su, flipped through the documents: "He organized the 'Vietnamese Hong Kong Residents Association,' which has over three hundred members, all of whom are legal residents."

He Yaozong nodded thoughtfully: "They are indeed teachable. I didn't even think of asking these legal Vietnamese to endorse me, but they are the first to rush out and disclaim any responsibility."

Contact him immediately and tell him I'd like to invite him for tea!

At 3 p.m., Wu Youyong arrived at Bijia Mountain as promised.

The man, in his early fifties, was dressed in a sharp suit and spoke fluent Cantonese, with only a slight Vietnamese accent at the end of his sentences.

"Congressman Ho, I've long admired your name."

Wu Youyong respectfully handed over his business card: "The members of our association are very supportive of your policies. Even the ingredients for our restaurant are sourced from your fresh food warehouse!"

He Yaozong poured him a cup of tea: "Your article is very well written, but I'd like to know, does your Vietnamese community really support deportation?"

Wu Youyong gave a wry smile: "To be honest, there are big differences. People like me who came to Hong Kong early and have already settled down are most afraid of being implicated by those newcomers."

We've worked hard for decades to be accepted by Hong Kong society; we don't want to go back to square one overnight.

He pulled out several photos: "This is an event our association organized in Kowloon City yesterday, with more than 200 people participating. The theme was 'Severing Illegal Refugees and Upholding the Rule of Law in Hong Kong Island'."

In the photo, a group of people with Asian features are holding a banner that reads "I am a law-abiding Hong Konger," and some are wearing T-shirts that read "I love HK."

"The pressure is immense!"

Wu Youyong sighed: "But I've thought it through very clearly. My home is here, my children go to school here, and everything I have is in Hong Kong Island!"

Ho Yiu-chung nodded: "Would your association be willing to accept media interviews? Let the people of Hong Kong Island see that legally residing Vietnamese are also a part of society."

"Of course!"

Wu Youyong's eyes lit up: "We can also organize Vietnamese citizens to visit the police station to express our condolences to the injured police officers and to show our stance."

I can even publicly reiterate that human rights are something you have to fight for yourself. You can't disregard and violate human rights while expecting others to grant them them!

The two then had a pleasant conversation, and He Yaozong now understood why so many colonists would try every means to sever their original identities.

At least from the perspective of himself, the 'host,' Wu Youyong was quite pleasing to the eye.

Before leaving, Wu Youyong hesitated for a moment, then turned around and said, "Councilor He, what we are most worried about is second-generation immigrants."

Those Vietnamese children born in Hong Kong, who fully identify as Hong Kong residents, are now facing discrimination because of their ethnicity.

He Yaozong simply waved his hand: "As long as you don't mention your Vietnamese identity, others won't know your Vietnamese identity, so how can they discriminate against you?"

This is a problem for you to figure out yourselves; it's beyond my scope of solution!

(End of this chapter)