Dear Mr. Li Ka-shing,

 Dear Mr. Li Ka-shing,

Greetings, respected Mr. Li Ka-shing!

Dear Mr. Li Ka-shing, hello! I am a nobody from a place far removed from you. In terms of age, you belong to my grandfather’s generation—a towering figure. Ever since I first heard your name as a child, your name has been synonymous with wealth. In terms of life experience, it’s no exaggeration to say you’ve consumed more salt than I’ve eaten rice, or crossed more obstacles than the roads I’ve walked. Yet, despite this vast gap between us, I still wish to take the liberty of writing you this humble letter. Of course, I’m well aware that the chances of you reading it are slim, but I feel compelled to put my thoughts into words—however modest they may be. Before I begin in earnest, allow me to sincerely wish you good health, a long life, and blessings as enduring as the southern mountains!

After much thought, I’ve decided this little letter will cover three points I’d like to boldly share with you. The first is my understanding of you, the second is that China is sick—and in recent years, Hong Kong has fallen ill too. The third is my audacious plea for you to offer some vision for the day when China, and especially Hong Kong, might recover from this sickness.

Let me start with my perception of you. In my view, you are a great businessman—one worthy of admiration from all decent Chinese people, a man of impeccable character, an unyielding fighter, and a courageous soul who has worked tirelessly throughout his life. While it’s true that businessmen pursue profit, I believe that someone of your stature has long transcended mere profit-seeking. It feels more like a passion, a realm of creating and mastering wealth—an ethereal state. How should I put it? I’m not a businessman, just a poor fellow, so I can only imagine it as “a vast presence soaring through the sky, gazing down majestically upon all beings” to describe your stature. From your heights, I can already guess the answers to questions I might ask you. For instance, do you believe in communism? Surely not—you must see through all the grandiose claims of communism as nothing but deceitful nonsense. Do you trust the Communist Party? Certainly not—you must know that if their words were reliable, pigs could climb trees. Do you love Hong Kong? Without a doubt—you love it deeply; it’s your home. Do you love the mainland? I imagine you do, despite its many flaws and unworthiness, because you’re one of the finest of your generation, and your generation carries a unique sense of sentiment. Do you believe the Communist Party can last forever? Certainly not—you must know they’ve committed too many sins and have no hope of reform. From their perspective, reform isn’t even an option—they know it would only hasten their demise. And do you see that China is sick, and in recent years, Hong Kong has fallen ill too? You absolutely do—you’re a man of clarity.

Though I’m certain you’re aware that China is sick and Hong Kong has been affected too, I can’t fathom exactly what you think about it. This is such an open-ended issue, and every clear-minded person has their own perspective. I wonder if others have discussed this with you or shared their thoughts? Surely some have, but I can’t imagine what they said. So, allow me to humbly offer my shallow take on it. China is sick, and in recent years, Hong Kong has fallen ill too. I’d call the disease “Communism Syndrome,” with the Communist Party as both its source and root. As for the symptoms, they’re far too numerous to list—tens of thousands of words wouldn’t suffice. I can only summarize, and very roughly at that: the Party lacks integrity, the nation lacks a foundation, and the people lack humanity. For a ruling party, forget lofty ideals like elections, democracy, freedom, or openness—basics that any party should uphold—at the very least, it should understand that the Party, the nation, and the people are distinct entities. Over two thousand years ago, the ancients said, “The people are the foundation, the state comes next, and the ruler is least.” Whether this can be achieved aside, at least the people, the state, and the ruler were separate! Yet the so-called most advanced Communist Party declares the Party is the nation, the Party is the people, the Party is everything. Does such a party have integrity? I dare say that if there’s an underworld, even the King of Hell wouldn’t dare manage it the way the Communist Party governs a country—no exaggeration, truly none. China’s thousands of years of history have been marked by hunger, war, and suffering, but in the peaceful interludes, harmony, benevolence, diligence, and kindness were the nation’s bedrock. And now? What is China’s foundation today? After much thought, it’s still communism and the Communist Party. How tragic—truly tragic. Communism fixates on class and struggle, the Communist Party glorifies revolution and tyranny, and at their core lies hatred—hatred of outsiders, hatred of those who don’t see a halo above the Party’s head, hatred of their own people, hatred of anyone the Party dislikes. If modern China has a foundation at all, it can only be hatred. A wicked ideology and an evil party are utterly unworthy of being a true national foundation. What is humanity? It’s the principle of being human—respecting others and oneself. But in today’s China, all respect must yield to reverence for the Party, to the power, wealth, and prestige it absolutely controls. This has subtly created a flawed reverse-elimination mechanism: the shameless rise, the ignorant thrive, and too much stench is mistaken for fragrance. Behind every glossy facade lies endless sin and injustice. The poor lack basic dignity, the rich lack basic security, and the minimal底线 of being human has become a rarity. Where is humanity? Lastly, I must add that Hong Kong, your home, isn’t yet as gravely ill as I’ve described, but it’s heading there fast. Whether for a person or a society, climbing up takes immense effort, but falling happens in an instant. I believe you understand these final words far more deeply than I do, respected Mr. Li Ka-shing.

Dear Mr. Li Ka-shing, though I know you understand far more than I do, I must finish my third point. First, I boldly assert that a sickness must be cured—cured down to its roots. This is the responsibility of all young people, including myself, who care about politics and believe they have even a shred of conscience. I firmly believe that day of healing will come, when China and Hong Kong will set sail anew. I pray to the heavens that day arrives soon. Mr. Li, you’ve lived a long life and retired—you bear no responsibility for China’s or Hong Kong’s sickness or its cure. Yet I dare to plead with you to offer some vision for the day when China, and especially Hong Kong, recovers. In an open letter I once wrote to Mr. Elon Musk, I expressed a view: whether Mr. Musk cares about China’s awakening doesn’t diminish his greatness. He’s a businessman, a foreign one at that—making money, even from Chinese people, is his prerogative. Using sentiment to morally guilt-trip him is the vile tactic communists love most. But you, sir, are a beacon and idol to countless Chinese people, especially Hong Kongers—your kin and family. The bond between you, China, and Hong Kong can never be fully severed, no matter the day. It’s destined. With your vast perspective, your noble character, and your profound spirit, your vision would surely elevate your greatness and radiance further. It would undoubtedly benefit China and Hong Kong. And if, perchance, the two conflict, benefiting Hong Kong alone would suffice—for it is your home. Failing to distinguish near from far is another vile instinct communists adore, but as a benevolent man, you’d agree that loving one’s own comes first, right, respected Mr. Li Ka-shing?

At the end of this letter, I sincerely wish you good health, a long life, and blessings as enduring as the southern mountains! I also want to apologize for troubling you, Mr. Li Ka-shing. Compared to you, I’m an inexperienced nobody. If I’ve said anything amiss, please forgive me. Beyond respect and admiration, I have only respect and admiration for you.

Wishing you good health, longevity, blessings as enduring as the southern mountains, and constant joy!

With utmost respect and regards,
June 21, 2023, Wednesday