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Ardent followers of this newsletter and my (more than occasional) rants will remember the case of the hypocrite who lives in mainland China and continues to bash it day in and day out – except he does so SECRETLY – and WHILE living in said country.

In other words, neither does he have the cojones to MAN up and put a FACE to the words (and you’ll notice he ignored this when I asked him in our last conversation, before he blocked me) – – and neither is he NOT enough of a hypocrite to take the plunge – and take a STANCE – and LEAVE a place which he by his own admission hates more than anything else.

Anyway, you’ll recall that my partially “ignoring” him on some news article he sent about China arresting pro democracy leaders in HK set him off.

And while my “Haha” response was NOT aimed at him, or even provoking the response it get (honestly!) – it got none other than that response. Sometimes folks show their true colors even when you don’t ask them to, hehe.

But it did bring to mind a good question – something I’ve often been asked during my time in China.

Why do I not take a stance on the HK issue?

Because … it’s complicated. And a grey area.

What do I mean?

Well, first off, let me go on RECORD stating that I don’t believe promises should be broken – either overtly or otherwise.

The 1997 handover agreement mandated that Hong Kong and Macau would retain their own ways of life until 50 years after 97. After that? Well, no-one had the foresight or really gave a shit about WHAT would happen after that.

Some assumed that China would naturally become more “democratic” and “advance more”, therefore making the eventual (I’d assume) reintegration a lot easier.

That hasn’t happened, and it don’t come as no surprise to me. A fox doesn’t change its coat overnight, for one.

But there are two major issues that I see here – one being that (as I see it) HK is essentially a China issue when it boils right down to it (their internal affair) and b) the eventual reintegration.

Let’s take a look at b) first as it’s easier to address.

How do you up and suddenly integrate a FREE society into one that is the exact opposite after 50 years?

Do you just wake up one day and say Gee Whiz, back we go to the whips and chains (pun NOT intended)?

I don’t think so my friend. There has to be a “weaning in period” on both sides, and as to how and when to best implement it, I’ve got no idea. And frankly, I don’t care a whole heck of a lot because there ain’t much me, you or anyone (including the idiot who lives in China and continues to bitch up a veritable storm about it) can DO about it.

Second, the agreement was signed by the current Chinese government and Thatcher (the UK head of state at the time).

And while the CCP is and has been the recognized government since 1949, it was not always so my friend.

The government currently (according to the PRC) “in exile” in Taiwan was really the government that (was forced to) ceded HK to the Brits back in the day (ah, the big bad Brits LOL) and therefore should be returned to them.

At least, so goes the argument for some people. These same people usually end up wanting independence for the territory as well, and I’m not sure I really agree or disagree with either one of those two points.

I do however think that at a certain point a line in the sand needs to be drawn, and if the current party ruling China is what is officially and globally recognized as the PRC then tough cookies, but back goes HK to .. them, NOT “Taiwan”. (and no, please don’t jump on me saying that the Taiwanese want it; that is NOT my meaning).

After all, how far back in history do we keep trawling?

HK was always a part of China even back in the day … unlike Tibet and certainly unlike certain areas in the South China sea and so forth (sorry Bill Gates, but that’s TRUE – and a fact – perhaps the reason you depict the maps as the PRC likes it is because you’re looking to get Windows licensed on a grand scale there. Ain’t happening, I’ll tell you that right now. Piracy Central. HA!).

And that’s pretty much I remain MUM on this issue, my friends.

But that’s the political side of it.

Personally, there are few, if any world cities I love more than Hong Kong. I’ve done many a hill climb there – many a solid HIKE – and many a subway stair sprint, hehe (New Delhi being the other city where I’ve done a lot of the last one).

So I’d be the last one to wish ill upon the territory – or China in general, for that matter.

Big cities lend themselves exceedingly well to workouts though – if you just open your eyes and look around you.

Stair sprints. Subway stair sprints. Carrying groceries back. Moving air conditioners and sofas up narrow ass flights of stairs. And a lot, lot more.

I’m loving it, as Mc Donalds would say, hehe.

OK, my friend. That’s today’s rant. I’m out for now – I’ll be back later!

Best,

Rahul Mookerjee

P.S.- Although sprints and subway stair sprints are really the Mecca and Medina of FAT burning, and rapid stuff at that, there are certain routines that work at even quicker WARP speed. I’ve covered them all in my book “Eat More – Weigh Less” – grab it right here – https://0excusesfitness.com/eatmore-weighless/