Letters | Early retirement? Young people should search their fun-loving souls

Readers discuss the work ethic of the younger generations, the sensitivity in Hong Kong over the June 4 anniversary, and the opposition to building flats on the Fanling golf course

Hong Kong

Letters

Published: 11:30am, 24 Jun 2023

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A recent phenomenon has got me contemplating employment, work-life balance and retirement: many millennials and self-proclaimed digital natives in my social circle have talked about aiming to retire in their 30s and 40s, while those past retirement age have expressed a strong desire to stay on in the workforce to contribute to society.

These two conflicting schools of thought coincide with Hong Kong’s recent efforts to find and retain talent. The young people and soon-to-be retirees apparently have very different outlooks on work and life. The former seem to prioritise work-life balance, travel and entertainment, whereas the latter value an ethic of hard work and a meaningful life.

I’m by no means pitting the two groups against each other, nor am I judging whose lifestyle is more superior. But back in the 1970 and ’80s when Hong Kong’s economy was taking flight, we championed the Lion Rock spirit, which emphasised perseverance, diligence and an unyielding work ethic. Thanks to the dogged determination and hard work of the previous generation, our city thrived and transformed itself into an international financial centre and a mecca for business.

All the great strides Hong Kong made would not have been possible without the positive values of the hard workers now in their 60s and 70s, who put their heart and soul into building a strong foundation for our city’s growth.

They still have a lot left in their tanks and plenty to offer in the workplace. A prime example is Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, at 78 a member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, our economy is rebounding and with the staunch support of our motherland, Hong Kong will be an integral part of the Greater Bay Area, where job opportunities for youngsters abound.

Against this backdrop, I honestly find it hard to fathom how the talk of early retirement came about. Are young people going to squander such precious chances in favour of a hedonistic lifestyle?

In contrast, those past retirement age strongly believe that experienced workers like them could be valuable assets and steady hands in time of crisis.

I shall refrain from speaking like a grumpy old man about the youth, but they are in need of serious soul-searching with regard to career development and life in general. They should humbly learn from the older generation, see past their own needs and pursuit of pleasure and stay ready to contribute to the wider community and repay society.

Jason Tang, Tin Shui Wai

Why the overreaction on June 4?

Since the imposition of the Hong Kong national security law in the summer of 2020, no large crowd has gathered in Hong Kong’s Victoria Park to mark the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown on June 4. The heavy presence of 5,000 police officers patrolling the area this year to prevent any unauthorised commemoration of the 1989 crackdown seemed an overreaction.

We have not been given much leeway to take part in peaceful street protests or speak out against some government initiatives – such as the major overhaul of the district councils and reshaping of the political landscape.

Since Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, control over the legislature has gradually tightened. Over the past 25 years, the city has arguably moved from being a free and open society to one that is more authoritarian.

In recent years, unions, associations, media outlets and non-profit organisations have either disbanded or closed down, or are struggling to survive under political pressure. It’s no wonder, given the changes in law enforcement and the legal landscape. The arrest of opposition figures and protesters demonstrates the government’s control over Hong Kong.

Who would dare to blatantly challenge the Hong Kong Police Force by organising any public assembly against the wishes of the authorities? To cite a Chinese saying, the government has already killed the chicken to scare the monkey, acting resolutely to put things on the right track for Hong Kong people.

Pages Ng, Tuen Mun

Fanling housing the more feasible option for Hong Kong

Yesterday, a friend forwarded to me a short film, just over two minutes long, titled “Support Fanling Golf Course”. Featuring a young woman golfer and a crowd of young children, it lauded the facilities of the course and the beauty of its environment. The key message was that such a beautiful place should not be destroyed to make way for housing projects.

Rather than agreeing with these sentiments, I wondered who had conceived, commissioned and paid for this highly professional project concerning the future of a club known for its small but highly distinguished membership.

The Hong Kong government acknowledges the urgent need for more homes but its proposed solutions appear long-term and, in some cases, more ambitious than practical. The plan to spend a minimum of HK$580 billion (US$74 billion) on artificial islands off Lantau definitely falls into this category. The project will take many years to complete and, when finally delivered, would fall victim to the international iron rule of major civil engineering projects, that the initial budget would be only 50 per cent of the final bill.

The government should start digging at Fanling tomorrow.

David Hall, Mid-Levels

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