1 May 2023

Eight students and I visited Consulate General of Korea in Hong Kong on 29 March 2023 and Consulate General of Japan in Hong Kong on 24 April 2023; they are: Angel Zheng, Alpha Chan, Nydia Shek, Kelvin Chu, Gilbert Ng, Alvin Chan, Venus Ng, and Agnes Or.  These students came with me in their student leader capacity and student representatives to invite the two Consul-Generals to visit King Ling College come November and March; they were all articulate and presented themselves very well.

 

There have been plenty of international exposures in King Ling College, in addition to grand tours and our sister school affiliations.  International qualification graduation requirements, world game competitions, tea cultures around the world, are a few examples that we connect with the world.  But most of these activities focus on a certain maturity in order to understand the knowledge. Therefore, teachers decided that some items have to take place in junior forms for students to have a taste of international flavors. In the future, November will be Japanese-themed, and March will be Korean-themed. That is, examples needed in the lessons in those two months will be heavily based on the two countries; cultural subjects like music, visual arts, living and technology, etc will be germane to essence of both countries, modeled after our Chinese heritage program approaches. How else can we kick off such meaningful rationale except having the most revered personnel of the said countries in Hong Kong officiate at our own ceremonies?

 

But I wish to emphasize overseas interests security.  Of course, it is good to have exchanges, especially on our part, that students are exposed to different cultures and professionals. Each country, however, has her own concerns regarding national security and safety.  Among many issues of overseas interests, other than protecting a country’s overseas’ properties, opportunities, profits, and her people, entering the Embassy or Consulate-General of a particular country is like entering the host country.  The country has to know everything about us.  Before the visit, much were done to ensure that the visit would not go wrong, much like the country needs to know all about you before letting you enter. In addition to numerous email changes, and inviting the Consuls to browse through the school website, I had to submit my curriculum vitae; all student names had to be submitted in advance. Students’ questions to the Consul-Generals were prepared and vetted. 

 

When we arrived at the establishments, we went through the security entrance, with personnel receiving us; our mobile phones were locked away. The personnel talked to us for some time to assess that we were fit to meet with the Consul-General, before we were taken to the maze-like corridors to the meeting room. Once in the meeting room, the atmosphere was relaxed, and an enjoyable exchange and interview began, not to forget photo sessions, and souvenir presentations.

 

So you see, although we travel much nowadays more than decades ago, security is still an important issue to the host country. If we wish to enter, we need to abide by their regulations; they too must protect their own interests, integrity, and honors. In the visits, we learned much about the work of the Consulate-General, we learned about the professional duties of the Consul-Generals, and their personal sides.  We were grateful for such meetings; I hope that students treasure these rare opportunities.

 

Anson Yang