Focus on what you can do to improve Hong Kong and mainland China instead of their shortcomings, Olympic gold medallist Vivian Kong Man-wai has told the city’s youngsters.
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The fencing star also urged young Hongkongers on Saturday to understand their identity, as she shared her experience of studying international relations at Stanford University in the US during a forum commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Beijing-imposed national security law.
“My biggest takeaway is that Americans do not understand China, but even worse, I realise I do not understand it either. I need to learn more,” the 31-year-old told a panel.
“As I represent Hong Kong, China, I should understand my identity and not disgrace anyone.”
She said the city had the support of its motherland, citing her experience of being treated by a therapist from the national team when the Hong Kong team lacked resources.
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Kong added that the city’s athletes enjoyed privileges when training on the mainland, such as being treated to the best quality meals usually reserved for top-tier national sportspeople.
She also said Hong Kong athletes could bypass qualifiers to secure their spots in the National Games.