Hong Kong must embrace innovation, says rural leader in Lunar New Year prophecy

Hong Kong must foster innovation and avoid being conservative in its economic development, according to a prophecy drawn by Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, chairman of the Heung Yee Kuk, on Wednesday during an annual Lunar New Year tradition. 

The ceremony started at around 8am on the second day of the Year of the Horse, also known as the Che Kung Festival. Lau drew a “neutral” stick for Hong Kong at the Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin, continuing a nine-year streak of drawing neutral fortunes. 

The number 22 fortune stick reads, “Do not get close to one who carves wood; judge people by their good and evil deeds. Never forget righteousness when seeing profits and be wary of non-benevolence amidst benevolence.” 

The interpretation states, “With diligence, one remains safe; small blessings for small homes; there are no hindrances in health; seeking wealth will be partially successful; marriage will be harmonious.” 

Lau offered his interpretation of the prophecy after the ceremony, calling on the city to embrace innovation and avoid being fusty in its development. 

He believes the Northern Metropolis represents a golden opportunity for the next decade, stressing that the city can no longer rely solely on its traditional pillars of tourism, trade, finance and real estate. 

Instead, Lau emphasized that innovation, technology and artificial intelligence must drive the new economy. He expressed hope that the Northern Metropolis would develop rapidly, aiming to boost the city’s economic growth to 5 to 6 percent. 

Despite drawing a “neutral” stick, Lau viewed it as a “fairly positive sign,” noting that Hong Kong’s economic activities are regaining momentum after the 2019 social unrest and the Covid-19 pandemic, with financial markets showing marked improvement. 

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At Che Kung Temple, the fortune stick system comprises 96 sticks in total: 35 represent good fortune, 44 are neutral and 17 indicate bad omens. Statistically, neutral sticks are therefore the most likely to be drawn. 

Meanwhile, Sha Tin Rural Committee chairman Mok Kam-kwai, drew the No 83 stick for the district, which signifies a bad omen. The stick said, “Sailing smoothly up to Yangzhou, but encountering waves halfway; hard to advance an inch despite strong efforts; lower the oar and sail, but the current still does not flow.” 

Mok interpreted the fortune stick as symbolizing the need to nurture strength and regain vitality, likening it to “a person taking time to recover from an illness.” He advised the public to remain prudent and take things slowly.