Sauna Dialogue, Common Sense Politics

Cheung Lap's piece in the 28 September 2009 issue of Hong Kong Economic Journal is, as usual, interesting and thought provoking. Chojiro has taken the liberty to translate it below.


Departures from common sense are usually not trustworthy. This probably applies from title cons to national affairs.

The following conversation took place in a sauna room. A teammate and reader asked, "Why do you say Tibet Independence is a fake agenda? Isn't the Dalai Lama red hot in the West? Doesn't he have a lot of influence and followers?"

"If a person has left Hong Kong for 50 years and never once returned to Hong Kong during that period, would you believe him if he says he has a lot of influence in Hong Kong?"

"Of course not! That's exaggerating!"

"So is the Dalai Lama."

"How is the Dalai Lama's influence compared to Mao Zedong's?"

"Mao passed away in 1976. In the 33 years since then China has had two new generations and there have been profound changes socially and in reality. The times are different. Mao cannot do much even if he resurrects, not to mention Dalai."

"I see what you mean, now that you've explained it."

"It's nothing more than reasoning by common sense."

Another person in the sauna room interjected, "Lee Ka-shing would be a goner if he has left Cheung Kong for 50 years." "The Brits have left Hong Kong for 12 years. They are goners too," he added.

That's why Dalai's representatives are day dreaming when they went to Beijing to negotiate for resuming their administration in Tibet and to include Tibetan districts within Sichuan and Qinghai in 'Greater Tibet'."

In fact Dalai knows that this is impossible. But he has no control over his own destiny. Why? Dalai has many subordinates and followers who rely on him to be fed. If the boss wants you to say so, can you not say it? Who's the "boss"? "The guy who pays is the boss."

"Dalai runs a government-in-exile in India. Rents, salaries, transportation and lodging expenses have to be paid. The cost is at least US$20 to $30 million a year. Multiply this cost by 50 years. Who has been paying for it?"

Politics is complicated but also very simple. You see it through once you trace where the money comes from.

The insiders are absolutely clear about the situation. The outsiders are being fooled. People like Richard Gere think they are being very righteous. They are actually fools.

The bull shit is over.