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Hong Kong church head attacks selfish society in Christmas message
Dec 23, 2011, 10:27 GMT
Hong Kong - The head of the Anglican church in Hong Kong used his Christmas message Friday to attack what he called the 'pervasiveness of individualism' in the wealthy city.
Archbishop Paul Kwong said it was 'selfish' and 'cold-blooded' of street hawkers to be protesting against moves to improve fire safety by insisting they take down their stalls at night.
The measure was announced following an early morning fire in November which killed nine people, after it spread from hawker stalls to a high-rise apartment block.
'I simply cannot imagine that Hong Kong people have become so cold-hearted as to place property or making a living above life,' Kwong said in his Christmas message.
The archbishop described the 'pervasiveness of the individualism that upholds vested interests only' as the 'most worrying phenomenon in Hong Kong.'
'Upholding personal interests and being self-centred is the breeding ground for xenophobia,' he added, referring to hostility towards Filipino helpers who this year won right of abode in Hong Kong.
Kwong urged Hong Kong's citizens not to think that foreigners could take away their job opportunities and welfare.
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