Gao Huan

The year 1997 has been long talked about. It is just inevitable and politically correct to think of Hong Kong at the very mention of these four numbers. I can't ignore the presupposition that 1997 is special exactly because of the long-awaited return.

What does Hong Kong have to do with me? I ask myself. Everyone fully understands the significance of it. The return is a matter of sovereignty for China and a matter of dignity for every Chinese individual. But I am not a newspaper editorial writer or an affectionate poet. I am only an ordinary university student, who is more sensitive to what is happening around me. However, that's enough for me to find 1997 a year of a different beat.

I remember in the early 90s, when I was a junior high school student, I fell in love with Hong Kong pop music excessively. So whenever I thought of 1997, I got preoccupied with the image that dozens of Hong Kong pop stars were swarming into Shanghai Stadium, giving concerts for free. That was a naive fantasy of long time ago. But I also find myself hit it partly right.

There has been a lot of publicity and celebration for July 1st. Almost everything has something to do with the title ��Greet the return of Hong Kong��. Pop concerts are only a small part. Now the atmosphere is indeed different, full of exhilaration and anticipation. And I myself have also got involved in it. As a member of the Student Union Research Division, I held a discussion on Hong Kong in my class before I wrote a very long and detailed research paper. One Sunday, Fudan University put on a big show at the Bunds. Though I was only there to hand out questionnaires, the feeling was great to see such a tremendous crowd gathering around the same stage for the same purpose��greet the return of Hong Kong.

1997 has been endowed with a specialty of cohesion. Not only Hong Kong and the mainland will be rejoined, but also we, the ordinary people, have got more closely united. Now here comes another anecdote. Earlier this year, I had a part-time job on an international exhibition. My boss was a Hongkongese, typical of those shrewd businessmen. His only goal in life seemed to be making money. Of course, I disliked him. But one day something happened. He told me that he was happy to become a genuine citizen of an independent country and no longer a subject of a colony after the hand-over. So he could understand something other than money. Surprise! Then I found him less ugly and not so hard to get along with. What is so magic to bring out the change? I guess it is the patriotism shared by all Chinese evinced in the '97 return. You may say it is a cliche, but I do think unity is strength, something we should cherish always and forever.

What has happened is merely a prelude. What is happening next will be even more breathtaking. Deng Xiao Ping's policy ��One country, two systems�� is very broad-minded and creative. It's a thousand pities that the great man didn't live to see the red-letter day. History often leaves regret behind. Now we are eager to see the results of the well-prepared government experiment. No doubt Hong Kong and the mainland China will come to thrive together.

1997 will take on a new look. Such thing doesn't happen every year. Variety is the spice of life. We are lucky to have the chance to witness this historic event with the 21st century around the corner.

1997 means a lot to everyone. As for us, the ordinary people, this is more important: ask not what 1997 can do for you, ask what you can do for 1997. Yes, it is a special year. Let's become a part of it and make it more special.

P.S. It is the script of my speech for Professor Anna Lincoln English Speech Contest in May 1997, which won me Third Prize.