Chapman is among those came to my birthday in 1988. A progressive youth I would not forget. He has an inspiring story to tell about himself but will never tell unless it is someone close enough.
When I first met him 2 years ago he was only in Hong Kong for lest then 10 years. Working in a steel furniture (?) started as an ordinary apprentice to a skill technician. He was among thousands and thousands young people skited into Hong Kong for a batter life.
Chapman is one of those Chinese who left home to seek a fortune at a distance. He was driven to do so during his time million refugees smuggling across the border to Hong Kong to escape the famine and poorvety in China. Hong Kong, under the shelter of British democracy till 1997, is the centre for free trade in China. To fuel Hong Kong economic development is this constant supply of refugees from mainland China serving as a source of cheap labor.
He told me he swam across the river at night. Slowly using a couple of days time to quietly slick into Hong Kong city center. Once in the city center, a refugee is safe. (“抵垒政策”，即凡是已经进入市区的非法入境者，都可以向人事登记处登记，领取身份证。) And he proof himself to be one of those hightly needed behind the economy growth of Hong Kong. During my 6 years stay in Hong Kong, there was 1 whole year I did not see him. When I see him again after so long, he told me he has been to oversea, his employer send hime to Singapore (?) for training. And now return as a high skilled production staff.
And today he is able to free hiself came to my birthday celebration.
