'Bauhinia woman' highlights growing wealth gap in Hong Kong
Liu Hsiao-Hsia and Staff Reporter
2011-06-02
08:56 (GMT+8)
Wan Li, the granddaughter of a former Chinese vice premier, is suspected of being the "Bauhinia Woman" who has been doing charitable work among the poor of Hong Kong. (Composite Photo)
A masked woman in Hong Kong who has been handing cash and free food to the poor has won the support of the local internet community, highlighting the serious wealth gap which exists in the former British colony.
"Bauhinia Woman," who wears a blue mask and a tight black outfit, made her first public appearance when she visited 10 families in the Jordan area in mid-May: she gave each family HK$100 (US$12.86) and some some food.
She said her actions were in response to calls by an American friend, who was inspired by the film Kick-Ass, in which an ordinary young man assumes a superhero persona to help others.
The use of the flower that represents Hong Kong in her self-given name, she said, came from a classic heroine character — Black Rose — from the 1965 film of the same name.
Not content with just giving the poor her government allowance of HK$6,000 (US$771) allocated to all permanent adult residents, she said she was encouraging her rich friends to do the same.
The modern-day heroine said that she had performed similar acts in the past under her real name, adding that she sympathizes with lower-income families in Hong Kong, given that the government's welfare policies have failed to help them.
While refusing to reveal her true identity, she describes herself on her Facebook profile as a "single working woman" with a good income and hailing from a reputed family. She said she was not seeking fame for her actions.
"The paparazzi in Hong Kong are very good. If my real identity becomes public, then I can no longer be 'Bauhinia Woman' and will have no power to promote my agenda," she added.
While Hong Kong's media have been speculating as to the identity of the masked crusader for the poor — ranging from the granddaughter of the former head of China's National People's Congress to a local socialite — Bauhinia Woman has refused to confirm or deny the veracity of any of the speculations.
Internet users in Hong Kong are quite supportive of her actions and have left encouraging messages on her Facebook page, though Ip Ngo-tung, a member of the Yau Tsim Mong district council, said that despite his respect for Bauhinia Woman's actions, he does not believe that they will help to reduce Hong Kong's wealth divide.
Ip said that the problem could only be solved by communicating the views and difficulties of residents to the government, which would allow the administration to change its policies.
References:
Bauhinia Woman 紫荊俠
Ip Ngo-tung 葉傲冬
Yau Tsim Mong District 油尖旺區
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