What true patriotism is really all about

Discussing patriotism, Chow Pak-chin cites the commendable role Hong Kong people have played helping the nation in times of need

As the debate over a proposal for the National Anthem Law to be implemented in Hong Kong heats up and is also leading to public discourse, the talk of patriotism has also come under the spotlight. The proposed bill requires primary and secondary students to not only sing the national anthem, but to also understand the history and spirit of it. Reasonable enough, I think, because you can’t truly love something unless you know or understand it.

Of course it’s natural that everyone will have their own interpretation of patriotism, and from my point of view, it’s not just about ideas and principles.

First and foremost, patriotism is undoubtedly a display of love and pride of one’s country; it’s not merely empty talk about obedience or worship of the government or leadership. It’s certainly not a superficial display of respect when one’s national anthem is played.

A true patriot knows deep down that it’s about devotion and a sense of duty or commitment to work with your fellow countrymen and government in search for the common good. Sometimes, this search can prove to be a long and arduous journey, but it is certainly one that pays off in the long run.

This gruelling journey to work for the common good began 40 years ago for many of the professionals from Hong Kong. Many, myself included, decided to return to the motherland to contribute to its reforms and development in the late 1970s when the country was undergoing drastic social, political and economic changes.

Former chief executive Leung Chun-ying was one of many Hong Kong people who went north four decades ago in their free time to offer whatever help they could to bring the country back onto its feet. During that time, the public system was in disarray and help was desperately needed in areas such as the medical and education sectors.

The former CE went to the mainland regularly and had to endure the cumbersome cross-border immigration procedures at Lo Wu checkpoint, which often took at least half a day. Back then, today’s Home Return Permits as we know them today were non-existent, so Hong Kong people couldn’t enjoy hassle-free travel across the border.

Leung’s contributions were geared toward education and he spent almost all his spare time presenting lectures and teaching students who wanted or needed an education.

On one of his many trips, Leung recalled, he and other volunteers had to sleep on camp beds in rough and makeshift conditions and queued up to buy meal tickets in order to get their food.

At this time, many Hong Kong professionals knew too well that the country was undergoing drastic economic reforms and was beginning to beckon foreign investment and new ideas under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping. Many of us might not have the impressive economic power or prowess of Hong Kong industrialists, but our contributions were no less. We, as medical professionals, offered our medical expertise and technical guidance at a time when there was a severe shortage of such necessities on the mainland.

According to Premier Li Keqiang, one of the eight economic tasks for the central government to undertake this year is to work to improve living standards and the nation’s social security system. The government will also focus on improving primary and secondary school education as well as medical services covering childcare and elderly healthcare.

Hong Kong professionals were undeniably pioneers, and we believed in those days that medical reforms were a priority for the country. Over the last 40 years, many ophthalmologists like me have worked alongside countless healthcare professionals to provide the right tools, skills and expertise to strengthen the healthcare system for communities throughout the country.

Eye doctors from the Asian Foundation for the Prevention of Blindness, Sight First China Action and Project Vision have come together with one vision — to mobilize every available resource to help prevent and cure blindness for all. In our joint efforts over the last 40 years, we have performed 6 million operations to cure cataracts.

The joint efforts of this trio has also focused on advancing the practice of ophthalmology as well as working with other organizations and various government departments on raising public awareness.

There is still so much work to be done and so many people who need our help to put them back on their feet. We are bound together by duty and compassion to ensure the progress and welfare of our country and of our fellow countrymen for many years to come. Here is to another 40 years of making contributions to our motherland in whatever way we can!