The recent exhibition and seminar held on June 14th culminated in notable success, evoking within me a tempestuous amalgamation of emotions. These antecedent three years spent in the United Kingdom have constituted an epoch of substantial personal evolution, sculpted by a myriad of diverse encounters.
My assistant frequently jests that the Hong Kong individuals we encounter in the UK epitomize a “limited edition, concentrated embodiment of contemptible Hong Kong sentiment.” Given that her social circle predominantly encompasses acquaintances from the United States and Canada, her familiarity with Hong Kong culture remains superficially tenuous. Initially, I would dismiss her assertion with mirth, naively claiming, “You simply lack an understanding of Hong Kong’s cultural subtleties.” However, after traversing a plethora of experiences, I have reluctantly acknowledged that there might be some veracity in her observations—perhaps it is not merely a “limited” edition but rather an “unlimited” reservoir of intricate attitudes.

As I embark upon the endeavor of composing this reflection, a palpable undercurrent of disquiet permeates my thoughts, coupled with a trepidation that my words might inadvertently offend certain readers. Nevertheless, it is from a profound affection that I feel compelled to articulate my critique candidly, as there exist several matters warranting forthright discourse.

During my tenure as a legal practitioner in Hong Kong, it was not uncommon to encounter clients exhibiting proclivities to defer their pecuniary obligations. However, the scenarios I have encountered in the UK are nothing short of astounding. On a more intimate scale, clients have audaciously refused to compensate for wills I meticulously crafted, articulating grievances such as “the lawyer failed to consider the fact that I lack access to a printer and thus cannot produce the will.” On a broader scale, I have found myself in scenarios where I preemptively financed travel and accommodation expenses prior to receiving remuneration from clients, who subsequently proposed to remit fees in installments under the pretense of needing to procure funds. Ultimately, these clients frequently opted to alter legal representation mid-case, brazenly abstaining from settling outstanding balances, inundating me with contentious correspondence demanding justifications for the fees, fabricating assertions regarding supposed promises made, and even resorting to threats of formal grievances. The situation is exacerbated when clients initiate late-night communications, and upon my polite insistence on respite, retort with statements such as, “Had I been apprised of your need for rest, I would never have engaged your services.”

In stark contrast to the Hong Kong legal system, which proffers legal aid that dissuades individuals lacking financial means from seeking legal counsel, many of the Hong Kong clientele I have interacted with in the UK demonstrate a conspicuous lack of legal comprehension. They frequently pursue legal guidance driven by anxiety over various trivial and substantive matters, fearing potential ramifications for their naturalization process. However, their limited grasp of legal principles leads them to solicit complimentary consultations. Initially, I would furnish succinct responses to direct inquiries. However, as the volume of queries escalated, I delegated the task to my assistant, only to find myself confronted with disparaging remarks online asserting that “Lawyer Wong has achieved notoriety and now exhibits haughtiness by refraining from offering pro bono legal advice.”

To be candid, my time possesses intrinsic value, and I, too, am growing fatigued by the adage positing that “Hong Kong individuals bear a responsibility to assist their compatriots.”
One particular day, while promoting our community integration initiative within a supermarket, I fortuitously encountered a Hong Kong resident who graciously introduced himself as a departmental head at a UK healthcare facility. An engaging dialogue ensued regarding the myriad joys and tribulations associated with residing in the UK, during which we both discerned a common sentiment expressed by numerous Hong Kong nationals: “You, as professionals, must be affluent; thus, you cannot possibly comprehend the adversities and challenges faced by the average individual, rendering you insufficiently grounded.”

After enduring a litany of unreasonable assaults, a considerable number of individuals, once fervently committed to assisting Hong Kong compatriots, have descended into disenchantment, having transitioned from providing pro bono legal assistance and orchestrating complimentary accommodations for newcomers to the UK, to sponsoring young Hong Kong individuals for years, only to ultimately experience disillusionment. Some have even articulated that the mentality exhibited by certain Hong Kong individuals they have encountered aligns more closely with communist ideology than that of the Communist Party itself.

Nevertheless, throughout these three years, I have begun to comprehend the intrinsic rationale for the existence of the Communist Party. I hope my candor does not offend; however, one must acknowledge that individuals possessing education, knowledge, vision, benevolence, wisdom, and a conscious choice to exhibit kindness invariably constitute a minority within the broader spectrum of society. Those who attain success within a societal framework frequently embody such attributes. Conversely, those who readily assign blame to external circumstances and perceive societal structures as indebted to them form the majority. They consistently evade introspection, instead attributing their frustrations to the triumphs of others.

Numerous Hong Kong individuals residing in the UK harbor the belief that they are overqualified yet find themselves relegated to menial employment. They neglect to scrutinize their own interpersonal competencies and attitudes while failing to recognize and appreciate the strengths inherent in others.
A significant contingent harbors aspirations for a “great reshuffle” in the global landscape, naively envisioning themselves transforming into figures akin to Li Ka-shing post-restructuring. Nevertheless, the stark reality remains that we are ensconced in an era characterized by profound transformation, and our relocation to the UK represents a form of personal reshuffling. Each step we undertake reflects our own decision-making. This reshuffling, whether one chooses to establish roots or depart, ultimately constitutes a personal choice. It is imperative that we refrain from attributing societal inequities to our circumstances simply because we have been dealt unfavorable cards.