Double Standards

Cheung sang in the 25th anniversary song released before July1

Cantopop superstar Jacky Cheung Hok-yau got into hot water with mainland fans the other day when he said, "香港加油 Hong Kong add oil!"

He also failed to mention the "motherland" in his congratulatory message marking the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong handover that was broadcast on CCTV.

Cheung said:

Hong Kong has experienced a lot of ups and downs over these past 25 years. However, because I grew up together with this city, and I was born and grew up here, I still believe in this city, and I still hope that it will become a better one than before. Hong Kong add oil.

"Hong Kong add oil" was a rallying cry in 2019

One has to keep in mind that the singer and actor is very careful with his words when it comes to anything related to politics. 

But Chinese people online immediately pounced on Cheung for being "unpatriotic", and after more angry than positive comments were posted, his video message was taken down.

They apparently believed that the "ups and downs" he was referring to were related to the 2019 protests, and one of the slogans the protesters used at the time was "Hongkongers add oil!"

On Sunday Cheung issued a statement to address the video clip that was taken down.

He said he is a patriot and always tried to separate politics from art. Cheung said it was precisely because he had such a deep relationship with Hong Kong that he has witnessed the most "golden and glorious moments in Hong Kong".

However, Cheung pointed out that Hong Kong is undergoing an "unsatisfactory" phase over the past few years with violence, followed by the pandemic, depressing all industries and causing panic among the people.

Cheung's rebuttal on Sunday

"Now is the time for Hong Kong to add oil," he said.

Then Cheung pointed out the phrases, "Beijing add oil", "Wuhan add oil", and "Shanghai add oil" are frequently used. He questioned why "Hong Kong add oil" or the colours yellow and black determine how patriotic someone is. 

He expressed hope that "we Chinese people are rational and will convince people with reason", and added: "Whether I love the country and Hong Kong or not, the community will make a judgment."

Cheung also addressed his haters, thanking the public for their supervision of his words and deeds, and described himself as an "ant citizen". 

"I will continue to work hard to be a good person and a good singer under everyone's supervision as a Chinese."

Hopefully that's the last of what Cheung will have to address, but it was good of him to bring the issue out into the open. Why is it that other places can use "add oil", but not Hong Kong?

Will he be boycotted? So far no reaction yet.

Everything's a political minefield when dealing with China. It seems one can never be patriotic enough...