Hong Kong
With the large vaulted ceiling, the high tiered seating, and the roomy confines it wasn't hard to be impressed. The stage was large and roomy with plenty seating of its own. On one side a large painting of a younger Hou Sai Tang hung off the wall, dressed in worn combat fatigues. But unlike any combatant in that style the arms of war were removed from his presence. Instead what rested in his lap was a little red book and pen.
The University of People's Law made no secret that here was where Hou had studied in the late forties and fifties. What had been the nexus of his early influence as a younger man, even if already fairly old by the student demographic. It was here in the underground unions that he and others had begun drafting the manifesto they'd liberate China on; even if most of that had been written on the road or in very early legislation in Beijing. But standing in the middle of the of the auditorium there was a sense of being close to formative history. More when it was so proudly hung all around.
Save for the cammera and audio crews working around the room the chamber was empty. Crews in blue slacks milled over the heavy cables and the rigs where they sat their cameras. The icons for the NPN – National People's News – stitched across their shoulders or emblazoned on the sides of their cameras. Though this was redundant, they were the only major broadcaster permitted to broadcast nationally in China. Although the much smaller local news bureaus had come out to make a show of appearance, but the most they managed to do was work at getting microphones established on the podium, next to the state-ran microphones.
“How many speeches did Hou make in this room?” asked Auyi as he walked side-by-side with the middle-aged dean on the college. His hair was beginning to turn a snow-white, and fine lines rung his face.
“Exactly two.” he said in a low voice, “It's not like the school was the center of his movement based the initial uprising.” he laughed modestly, “I can't recall - given I wasn't here at the time – but he rallied the student body here after they seized control of Hong Kong and declared its commune, and then again in '65, when I started here.”
“You certainly take a lot of pride.” Auyi observed, looking at the portrait of Hou staring down at the rows of chairs. Even in his youth he had that same arrow-headed beard on his chin, though it looked a lot wilder.
“You take what you can get these days.” the dean groaned, taking a deep breath as he watched the crews work with a half-hidden feeling of contempt.
“Perhaps we may be more proud in the future.” replied Auyi, wringing together his hands. He smiled down at the crews from the stage. It was certainly an impressive feeling being there.
“What do you propose?” asked the Dean, straightening his back.
“A few things, I'll go over them tomorrow.” Auyi smiled, “And thanks again for allowing me to make the announcement here.”
“I can't deny a minister.” remarked the Dean, turning, “I can hardly deny the city too, most of the time.”
“What is happening in Hong Kong?” asked Auyi, “By the looks of the streets, they're excited for the autonomy bill.”
“We might fall into the Cantonese Autonomous Zone proposed,” the dean said, “But for the most part the city and Macau feel in their hearts we've still got enough Europeans and anglicized or Portugese Chinese that we ourselves should be our own zones.
“I myself am born to a British-born father. If it's still recognized, I should still have a British citizenship. If I might be blunt, I could say that this hasn't had many opportunities for me open higher up. I'd have better luck if Hong Kong was recognized as its own special case zone.”
“I see.” nodded Auyi, “Maybe in the future something could be worked out.” he added, invitingly.
“If you win.”
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