More on Szeto Wah

More on Hong Kong democracy activist Szeto Wah (司徒华) and his book mentioned in my entry yesterday.

Szeto's relations with China had been strained for sometime now, but this, unlike other activists, had never tarnished his patriotic credentials.

He wrote in his book: "我与董可以说是同年代的人, 都经过战乱. 但我曾 "饿饭", 曾听到 "鬼子进村了" 而走上荒山, 曾为共和国的诞生而满怀热望 ... 我是因民族的苦难而爱国的, 不是为了恩惠而是奉献而爱国. 我不知道, 董是否有同样的经验?"

Translated: "Tung (Chee Hwa, 董建华) and I are considered people from the same era, we have been through the ravages of war. But I had gone through starvation, and I had heard screams of "the devils (Japanese) had entered the village!"

Because of these, I had mounted desolated mountain tops. I was once filled with intense hope for the birth of the Republic ... I love my country because of the suffering of the people. I love my country NOT because of the grace bestowed upon me, or for the sake of dedication. I do not know, does Tung had these similar experiences?"

Of course Szeto was taking a swipe, a little unnecessary I thought, at former Chief Executive Tung who came from a wealthy shipping family. But his point was well-taken.

Szeto also wrote: "我曾因感触而下泪, 记者曾问我为什么那么激动. 我以艾青的诗句回答他们: "为什么我的眼里常含泪水? 因为我对这土地爱得深沉 ..."

Translated: "I had shed tears because of my thoughts and feelings. Reporters have asked me why I was so moved. I replied them with a verse from Ai Qing: "Why are my eyes often filed with tears? It's because my love for this land is deep, strong and intense ..."