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When the delegation of Legislative Councillors visiting Guangdong arrived in Guangzhou on the evening of 17 May, their first “mission” was neither attending a serious seminar nor visiting an infrastructure, but going on a night cruise on Zhujiang. After the cruise, they toured the town in separate groups and some went for a late night snack. The tour in the localities gave the Hong Kong legislators glimpses of the local lives. They managed to see more clearly the progresses made on the Mainland, which could never be imagined by someone who rarely set foot in the place. One legislator who did not hold a home-return permit conceded that he was “enlightened” by the trip.
The moment they arrived in Guangzhou, the delegation was treated to a night cruise on Zhujiang where they enjoyed the famous laser show. Both Eu Yuet-mee and Chan Suk-chong of the Civic Party described the view as “very beautiful”. Chan Hak-kan of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) said jokingly that A Symphony of Lights in Hong Kong was a copycat version of the Zhujiang show. Many people, focussing on only Hong Kong, had always thought that Hong Kong took the lead in everything but in fact quite some innovative ideas were originated on the Mainland and they were better than those in Hong Kong, he added.
After the cruise, the legislators made best use of their free time touring around Guangzhou in separate groups. Leaving behind Lau Wai-hing who was not feeling well, the four legislators without home-return permits, namely, Ho Chun-yan, Lee Wing-tat and To Kun-sun of the Democratic Party, and Ho Sau-lan of the Civic Act-Up, joined Li Wah-ming and Kam Nai-wai in strolling down the Shangxiajiu pedestrian street. They could see there how traditional veranda buildings blended perfectly well with modern structures. They ended their tour with a late night snack in a dessert restaurant. On the other hand, Tsang Yuk-sing, chairman of the Legislative Council, had dinner with members from the DAB, Liberal Party and the Civic Party in a local restaurant.
Ho Chun-yan said after the walk that the development of the pedestrian street was very successful. He noticed along the way that many historic buildings on the Mainland had been very well preserved and he believed Hong Kong should learn from the experience. ■translated by開明
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