The Middle is a position somewhere in between physical reality and the world of ideas. It is also a dwelling space somewhere in between the personal and the political. But most importantly, it is a very concrete place in geographical terms. The Middle Kingdom, China - known for being the greatest dictatorship in the world - is the main topic of discussion in this forum. Ironically, if published in the Middle Kingdom, this blog would most likely have been forbidden.

Friday, March 10, 2006

The Culture of Giving

Attended an interesting symposium/grant making ceremony yesterday, and learned more about a topic which is quite foreign to us Swedes: philanthropy (let's see if I get any comments on this one...!). In Hong Kong, private and corporate giving is a field of study - and a culture - in itself.

Is there a link between a large welfare state and a marginalized culture of giving? If our money disappears in the form of paid taxes instead of through private donations, do we tend to care less about the cause for which it is intended? Perhaps not necessarily, but it is still interesting to reflect on how West European countries could encourage an increased sense of social responsibility on the individual level, while maintaining a net of social security on the societal level.

More on this later. And for now, a link to the organization sponsoring the event: HER Fund Hong Kong - kindly introduced to me by my "boss" Yan-yan Yip of Civic Exchange.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Mr. Li goes green

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing captured the essence of environmental protection and the mutual benefits of trade in one sentence, in a speech at the National People's Congress currently going on in Beijing:

"You may know that many American households celebrate Christmas with artificial Christmas trees manufactured in China and this helps promote environmental and ecological protection in the US."

[from article "US urged to rein in Taiwan radicals" by Cary Huang and Shi Jiangtao; South China Morning Post, Wednesday March 8 2006]

It seems that relations between the two superpowers are warming up. Nothing that a little global warming can't defrost...

A voice, then bread and peace















[originally published on the Civic Express blog, www.civic-express.com, March 7th 2006; Picture shows Legco (Legislative Council) Building, Hong Kong]

89 years ago, a group of Russian women went out on the streets of Moscow in strike, opposing political leaders who had failed to deliver what was most urgent at the time – bread and peace. However, as the women's action show, in order to obtain these goals, they were in fact demanding a third – political participation. The women's persistence and co-operation eventually contributed to the czar's abdication and the women were granted the right to vote by the following provisional government.

Approaching March 8th, named International Women's Day after the Russian women's success, Hong Kong women are also seeing the need for unity. During Saturday's symposium organized by the Women's Foundation, research was presented confirming the notion that Hong Kong women are underpaid and discriminated against in the labor market. It also revealed perhaps the most urgent insight about women's situation in Hong Kong: the lack of research and just how little we actually know!

Underlying the gross inequalities in social and economic fields is a fact which brings us back to the Russian women in 1917: Hong Kong women lack a voice in politics. And Hong Kong politics lacks the skills and talent of a huge proportion of the population. According to the report presented at the symposium, since the establishment of the HKSAR, fewer than 20% of political candidates and elected officials on the Legislative and District Councils have been women.

I am always a bit skeptical towards the notion that women contribute by adding a “softer” or more “feminine” touch to politics. Women are not needed because they are different, but because they are the same. And thus have the same right to participate. Nevertheless, women have experiences which differ from men's due to gender segregated occuption and processes of socialization - experiences which will not be included in the political equation until women have a voice to forward their concerns.

The Women's Foundation's report reveals shocking inequalities in many areas. However, limited resources and the limited attention span of the Hong Kong community makes it impossible to deal with them all at once. If one single issue is to be prioritized – let it be increasing women's political participation – a step will which have a multiplier effect on raising women's concerns in other spheres of society as well. First a voice – then come bread and peace.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Dragons, gorillas and cowboys


Ang Lee has done it again. Directed a great movie, that is. And the Taiwanese director finally got the Oscar he so well deserves. Lee has gracefully swept through the genres with some of my personal all-time favorites: Taiwanese culture indulgences such as "Eat, Drink, Man, Woman" and "The Wedding Banquet", the American 70s low-key satirical drama "The Ice Storm", epic Chinese tale "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", and now the cowboy love story above all; "Brokeback Mountain".

"The Ice Storm" still stands out as my own favorite. Not surprisingly, it did not draw nearly as large crowds as the more action-packed Chinese martial arts movie. Considering his broad repertoire so far (he also directed The Hulk in 2003 although I choose to disregard this blunder...), wonder where Lee will end up next. I am sure he has a futuristic vein somewhere - combined with his passion for tragedy, perhaps it is time for a dystopian tale of the future? I am already standing in line for the tickets...

Friday, March 03, 2006

The limits of internationalism...


...are reached in karaoke bars in Mongkok, Kowloon. And I have a sore throat to prove it. An evening which started off with a buffet dinner and a cheery mood turned into a war between nations. Our group of twelve nationalities beamed with openmindedness and international solidarism as we entered the little window-less compartment, where we (little as we knew) were to spend the next five hours in agony and bitter contestation.

The Hong Kongers only wanted to sing Andy Lau. The Europeans ganged up (not without intra-continental rivalry, of course) as we united our forces in old Beatles hits. And a Swedish duet was supported by a Norweigan choir in performing Abba classic "Dancing Queen". After a few hours of Asian-European-Asian-European rotation in choosing songs, our ideals of fairness and equal opportunity were replaced by intercontinental warfare. Microphones were thrown across the room (sorry, box). Performers were interrupted in mid-vibrato as enemies took control of the music switchboard. I admit, even I contributed to the hostilities by hiding the Cantonese songbook for a while.

So what to learn of this violent episode? That we need to promote inter-cultural exchange and understanding? Perhaps, but more urgently - Hong Kong has a huge surplus of sappy love songs, but a shortage of upbeat rock tunes. You do not have to be an economist to see the logical solution here. I just hope something happens fast, before I drown in a sea of mushy ballads...

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Blog # 2

During the next couple of weeks, I will be making "guest appearances" on the HK Civic Express blog - commenting on local issues related to democratization and the political parties in Hong Kong.
Stop by and delve into the issues currently facing this pseudo-democracy with Chinese characteristics...