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Hong Kong national security law
Hong KongPolitics

Focus on how to improve Hong Kong, fencing star Vivian Kong tells youngsters

Olympic gold medallist tells national security forum more understanding of identity needed and she wants to ‘learn more’ about China

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Gold medallist Vivian Kong called on athletes and young people to do their best to fight for the glory of the city and the country. Photo: Eugene Lee
Edith Lin
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.

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.

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“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.

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