1 August 2024

 

I don’t think I can go to the moon during my lifetime, but I might be able to go near a Pole, North or South. Nay, I don’t think that would happen either for I am fear of cold weather. I put moon and pole together because they are not destined by any country. So different expeditions might be set out to visit these places.   Again, I don’t think it would become a mainstream travel spot in the next 50 years, but the option is there.

 

According to the government, “polar security refers to safeguarding our country's peaceful exploration and use of the polar regions; the enhancement of the capability of safe access, scientific investigation, and development and utilisation; and the strengthening of international cooperation in order to safeguard the security of our country's activities, assets and other interests in the polar regions”.

 

So you see, we are talking about the equal right to explore, the fair share of resources, the safety individuals should enjoy, and opportunities for collaboration. To me, these are the basic respects and elements an individual is entitled to at home or overseas. True, different countries have different rules; but the basics apply.  In that sense, security is not something extra, but something essential; it is also a matter of principles and sometimes rights or human right needs.

 

To our new students, King Ling might be a new place requiring your time to navigate, but I hope that you will follow the footsteps of your seniors, learn well, protect your interest, be fair to others and yourselves, and carry yourselves with basic respects to people and life itself.  I guarantee that life in King Ling will not be as difficult as visiting a Pole, but it will be as fruitful and as exciting. I wish you a happy start of a new school year.

 

Anson Yang