東京舉行殘奧,網民圍繞「香港第二金」、「殘奧」甚至「特殊奧運會」名號起爭論。其實名號背後,是數十年香港運動復康治療發展歷程,包含許多汗水與貢獻。同樣值得回顧,是背後重要主催者「香港復康之父」方心讓教授,在歷史地緣下獨有的國際地位與愛國身影。
1. 殘奧特奧與本地運動復康
有關特殊奧運會與殘疾人奧運會起源,本地團體負責人如此現身說法。
2010年 教育局教育電視影片「破藩籬 闖高峰」:
何劍暉(香港特殊奧運會區總監,香港弱智人士體育協會執行總監):「特殊奧運會(Special Olypics)是個全球movement,是讓弱智人士可以從中參與運動比賽和訓練。」
伍澤連(香港殘疾人奧委會暨傷殘人士體育協會義務秘書):「殘疾人奧運會(Paralympics),Para即是Parallel平行意思,有Olympics後就有Paralympics,通常在奧運後十天至兩禮拜舉行,專門給殘疾人士參加。」
1946年,甘迺迪家族成立一個基金會,推動社會對智障人士,提供更積極照顧。1963年,基金會為智障兒童辦首屆夏令營,其後提出特殊奧林匹克運動會的國際比賽構想。1968年,基金會在芝加哥公園區,成功推行日營活動,發展出第一屆特殊奧運會。特殊奧運會比賽跟一般奧運會不同,以分組方式比賽。
何劍暉(香港特殊奧運會區總監):「特殊奧運會分組方式有別於主流運動會,以性別、年齡和能力分組。能力相近被歸同一組,每組約3至8人。」
1978年,容德根博士與一班熱心人士創立香港弱智人士體育協會,目的是發展、推廣和組織智障人士體育活動,讓智障人士藉運動發揮潛能,建立自信和勇氣,同時可與家人朋輩分享運動中所得喜悅,繼而融入社會。協會現時舉辦多個運動訓練班,智障人士可透過所屬團體報名參加,協會發現有潛質運動員,會幫助他們更上一層樓,參加特殊奧運會和其他精英運動比賽。
至於殘疾人奧運會,起源可追至二戰結束時為歐洲戰場傷兵舉辧的復康活動。1948年7月29日,英國倫敦奧運開幕當日,神經科醫生Ludwig Guttmann在Stoke Mandeville同步舉行輪椅運動競賽,被視為殘奧會先聲。被追認做首屆殘奧會的國際賽事,則在1960年9月18日羅馬奧運閉幕後舉行,當時23國共400多名殘疾運動員參加,運動員經過功能級別鑑定評分,再編入不同級別進行賽事。
在香港,運動復康治療也是在1960年代起步。2003年伍澤連在《亞洲體育學報》論文概覽當中發展,最開初時候,九龍醫院復康部與香港復康會營運的藍田戴麟趾夫人復康院病人有進行輪椅籃球友賽,社署營運的香港仔復康院亦開設射箭會。
到1970年,已拼入香港社會服務聯會復康部的香港復康聯會,成功舉辦了全港首次大型殘疾人綜合運動競賽。其後「復康之父」方心讓教授與屈慕蓮女士(Mrs. Maureen Wagg)等人在1972年正式成立香港傷殘人士體育協會,以便更有系統組織、籌劃及推廣殘疾人士體育運動,並協助有潛質運動員參與本地、亞洲及國際賽事。同年,香港首次派隊參加德國海德堡殘奧會,並於乒乓球賽事中獲1銀1銅。
翻看1970至1980年代報章,除了殘奧會外,殘疾運動員亦參加過多項海外賽事,並且屢獲佳績。到1982年香港更成為東道主,舉辦第三屆遠東及南太平洋殘疾人運動會,23個國家及地區共743名運動員來港,參加九項競賽,當時《華僑日報》連日以全版甚至更多篇幅報導。
2. 1984年「第一金」
1984年夏季,香港「第一二三金」得主在第七屆殘奧運誕生。當年奧運在美國洛杉磯舉行,殘奧則由英美兩地同時舉辦(英國Stoke Mandeville主要辦輪椅項目)。港隊代表馮月華在女子輪椅劍擊奪金,那邊廂,梅艷玲、曹萍、黃英和黃玉薇出戰女子4 x 400米輪椅接力賽也贏得金牌,更刷新世界紀錄,而梅艷玲亦在個人1500公尺第3組賽事奪金,為香港帶來大豐收。
2007年底,婦女事務委員會舉辦大型展覽,有花較詳細篇幅介紹當年首五位在殘奧奪金女將故事。
《香港女性飛躍百年展》[2008] 38:
馮月華女士幼年時患小兒麻痺症而導致雙腳不良於行。她熱愛運動,就讀中學時很喜愛打羽毛球,後於1982年參加香港傷殘人士體育協會,接受劍擊及乒乓球訓練。馮女士憑著導師悉心指導及個人努力,於1984年第七屆傷殘人士奧運會中,獲得女子個人花劍金牌。
梅艷玲女士兩歲時因小兒麻痺症而導致不良於行。但疾病沒有令她失去鬥志,在父母及兄弟姊姊的支持下,梅女士做事都憑著信心,持之以恆。她於1982年參加了體育協會,並於沙田銀禧體育中心接受「推圈」訓練。受訓短短兩年,梅女士便在1984年傷殘人士奧運會上表現驕人,奪得1500米田徑賽事金牌,又於1985年渣打馬拉松42公里賽奪得第三名;翌年再到日本參加半馬拉松比賽,奪得第二名。梅女士近年醉心於網球運動,不時出外比賽,續續運動員生涯。
在1984年的傷殘人士奧運會中,除了馮月華女士和梅艷玲女士在個人賽事奪得金牌外,另有女子組於4 x 400米接力奪得金牌,成員包括黃英女士、曹萍女士、黃玉薇女士和梅艷玲女士。
黃英女士幼年時患上小兒麻痺症而致行動不便。在醫院療養期間,參加香港傷殘人士體育協會的活動,少年時期開始接觸田徑項目,從此對該項運動產生濃厚的興趣。經過艱辛的訓練,黃女士於1984年傷殘人士奧運會4 x 400米女子接力賽中與隊員奪得金牌。黃女士後來轉而接受劍擊項目訓練,於1988年傷殘人士奧運會劍擊比賽中勇奪銀牌。
曹萍女士由於不良於行,在九龍醫院的物理治療部接受治療。曹女士喜歡運動並且愛接受挑戰,治療期間代表九龍醫院參加田徑週年比賽,取得優秀成績。於1982年,她開始接受香港體育學院的田徑訓練,且在兩年後奪得傷殘人士奧運會4 x 400米接力賽金牌。今天,曹女士依然熱愛運動,並積極接受划艇訓練,備戰2008年的北京傷殘人士奧運會。黃玉薇女士幼年時患病導致行動不便。她於1979年認識香港傷殘人士體育協會,並對輪椅籃球產生興趣。由於輪椅籃球與田徑項目一樣,均講求速度,故黃女士一併接受田徑項目訓練,並把目標定於1984年傷殘人士奧運會。抱著堅定的目標,黃女士在香港外圍選拔賽中脫穎而出,加入4 x 400米女子接力隊,與隊友奮勇奪魁。
1984「殘奧第一金」那年,市政局精英運動員訓練計劃亦開始對傷殘人士體育協會提供資助。其後協會又得商業贊助,以及1990年成立的康體發展局資助,陸續增聘人手,並成立運動醫療小組。至2000年,港隊在殘奧和遠南運動會累計獲得超過500面獎牌。在2000年代,會長方心讓及其多年擔任執委主席的「徒弟」周一嶽醫生先後獲國際殘奧會頒榮譽獎章,國際地位可見一斑。
3. 復康之父愛國路
回顧本港運動復康,很難留意不到開創人物方心讓長久以來在復康事業以至公共領域的愛國身影,以下嘗試根據其自傳及相關資料梳理大概脈絡。
話說方心讓在1923年生於南京,父親方振武是民國將領。1936年,方心讓隨家人逃往香港,二次爆發日佔香港後往重慶繼續學業,1947年在上海畢業,翌年返港任骨科醫生,其後再赴英深造,1958年出任港府首位骨科顧問醫生,並為九龍醫院、葛量洪醫院、東華醫院及律敦治醫院建立骨科團隊。他又與港大教授Arthur Hodgson發展出獨門手術方法,且陸續成立催生多個本地及國際復康與運動組織。
方心讓在自傳表示,關心復康的起源,是在行醫時經常面對四肢癱瘓病人,很想為他們做點甚麼,認為即使無法使其痊癒,或者仍可以助其用輪椅走動、解決糊口問題,使其恢復尊嚴與盼望。他尤其難忘一位地盤青年工傷癱瘓,提供治療之餘,更為其爭取到25萬賠償。當時還未有相關賠償法例,這算是相當大的賠款,夠他改裝處住並開展小生意,誰料那人太太翌日帶同賠款離家出走。方心讓再次為其奔走,安排地下公屋單位,請得懲教署派釋囚來進行改裝,又遊說到工廠老闆改裝部分設備並聘用他做工人。
根據自傳描述,為推動變革,方心讓早就立志要擴闊人脈,為此加入香港扶輪社和馬會,結識更多有影響力人士。方自言喜歡賭馬,擁有四匹良駒,曾為駐港英軍司令合注,替其女兒贏得港幣10萬元嫁妝。
經過長期努力,方心讓終獲匯豐大班馬會主席沈弼推薦做馬會董事,到後來更成為名譽董事及慈善基金終身信託人,為包括醫療復康等眾多申請提供意見,亦令方心讓成為出色籌款家。
Fang(2002) Rehabilitation: A lifes Work, 80–83:
In 1961, I joined the Rotary Club and the Jockey Club. I joined both clubs for the same reason: I wanted to become known. The only way to grow my practice was to meet as many people as I could. The Jockey Club was the least expensive club to join. It was also the most prestigious. It used to be said that the Governor of the colony was the third most powerful person in Hong Kong. The most powerful person was the chairman of the Jockey Club, the second most powerful was the chairman of the Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank, and the third most powerful was the Governor…
The Board of Stewards governs the Jockey Club. The Board of Stewards is composed of twelve men of corporate or professional backgrounds. The Stewards run the Jockey Club. They are responsible for allocating revenue and maintaining the premises. They are the ‘executives’ of the club. All are passionate racing fans. And all give their time and energy on a strictly voluntary basis. None of the Board of Stewards is paid for his work for the Club…Michael Sandberg, the chairman of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), recommended me to become a steward in 1983. At that time, Michael Sandberg and I were serving in the Executive Council together.During my time as a steward, I was able to play the role of a ‘donor’ with the Jockey Club’s money. My advice was often requested whenever there was an application for funds for medical facilities or medical research.I think I have probably raised over HK$1.5 billion in my career as a fundraiser. Much of that money has come from the Jockey Club.Stewards must retire at seventy. After seventy, you can be elected an ‘Honorary Steward.’ I still enjoy the privileges of being a steward — without the responsibility or power. When I became an Honorary Steward, I was invited to become a life trustee of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. I am happy to say that I am still called upon to vet medical and research applications.
1970年代,方心讓在中環開設私家診所,擔聖保祿醫院院長,開始更受港府器重,在1974年及1978年先後被港督麥理浩委任做立法局及行政局議員,就社福、教育、房屋、醫療及復康等政策發揮影響。
幾年間,方心讓又先後出任世界衛生組織顧問、世衛香港復康治療協作中心總監、國際傷殘人士年中央統籌委員會主席及國際復康總會會長等眾多公職,成為復康界國際級人物。為了推動國際復康憲章,方心讓拜訪過多國領袖元首。
1980年代香港前途談判時,尤德接任麥理浩成為第26任港督,方心讓開始為中國復康事業扮演橋樑。他在回憶錄自言,與中國連繫似乎令他得不到尤德信任,加上英國修改國籍法剝奪港人居英權後路,他跟港督鬧得很僵,結果在1983年與1985年行政局及立法局任期屆滿後不獲續任。但他表示樂於這樣淡出政壇,因為可專注推動在中國及國際復康總會工作,反正看著中英爭拗港人無法置喙,已頗為「討厭政治」。
Fang(2002) Rehabilitation: A life’s Work, 123–126:
I was gradually becoming disenchanted with the world of politics and my role in it. I enjoyed and admired Governor MacLehose and always found working with him to be both pleasant and rewarding.
Sir Edward Youde replaced Governor MacLehose in 1982. For some reason, Sir Edward neither liked me nor trusted me. This might have been due to my work in rehabilitation on the mainland. I will never know why he felt the way he did, as he died in office in 1986.My last two years in public life were miserable. I was unable to build a satisfactory working relationship with Sir Edward and the new British Nationality Act soured my feelings towards politics and government… There were other issues that contributed to my negative feelings about politics. Serious discussions had begun between the British government and the People’s Republic of China. Most of these discussions were conducted without the participation of the people of Hong Kong. Again, the interests of Hong Kong’s citizens were not being served…I can’t say that I was disappointed when Sir Edward Youde did not renew my appointment to the Executive Council in 1983. When my appointment to Legco reached its natural conclusion in 1985, I was happy to be able to return to my primary interests, rehabilitation in China and Rehabilitation International.
1983年,方心讓籌劃了京港慈善長跑活動,為成立中國傷殘人士體育協會籌款,到1984年4月更率國際康復會人士訪京,並獲總理趙紫陽接見,接納其國際復康憲章,方又向趙提議彩票籌款法。
《永遠懷念方心讓》(2009) 29–31:
方教授一直帶領著香港復康會,以世界衛生組織復康協作中心名義,在內地推動復康培訓,為內地各省市培訓逾數萬名康復人才…1984年,方教授向現任總理的趙紫陽提出在中國發行彩票來籌款。最後,彩票在中國首次出現,並為省及中央政府帶來了巨大的慈善事業經費。方教授的獻計提升了國內萬千傷殘人士的福祉。同時,方教授也向總理和鄧樸方先生遞交了一份為殘疾人編寫的八十年代憲章。這促使了中國於1984年成為「國際復康總會」的正式成員。
中英草簽前夕,方心讓受訪說中英協議時機合適,並盼更多人對基本法提意見。
那邊廂,中國領導人鄧小平長子鄧樸方又應方心讓及華潤集團邀請來港,為成立中國復康研究中心籌款,方心讓在自傳憶述如何向鄧面授籌款竅門。
當時鄧樸方帶同大批中國名畫家作品來港,原計劃賣畫籌錢,但方心讓反建議辦數場小型晚宴,並動用本身人脈,先後邀得李嘉誠、包玉剛、邵逸夫、新地郭氏兄弟和恆生銀行利國偉等巨頭到來與鄧結交。酒酣耳熱時,巨頭爭相掏腰包贊助善舉,鄧再在答謝酒會公開贈畫表揚眾多捐助人。最後共籌到5800多萬港元,成績比純粹賣畫好得多。
Fang(2002) Rehabilitation: A life’s Work, 112–113:
In 1984, Deng Pufang came to Hong Kong to try and raise funds to build his rehabilitation and research centre in Beijing. He brought with him a large collection of paintings. He was hoping to sell the paintings in Hong Kong. They were very beautiful — done by some of China’s greatest artists. I managed to persuade Deng not to sell them. I had a better idea.
I organised a formal exhibition of the paintings. I then invited the first lady, Lady Pamela Youde, to open the exhibition. Each night during the run of the exhibition, I arranged a small dinner party with Deng as the guest of honour. I introduced Deng to Hong Kong’s most prominent philanthropists. He met Sir Run Run Shaw, Sir Y.K. Pao, Li Ka-shing, the Kwok brothers, Walter, Thomas and Raymond, Sir Q.W. Lee and many others. They were all charmed by Deng and made individual pledges to support the construction of his research centre in Beijing. In all, Deng collected pledges of HK$58 million — much more than he would have made by selling the paintings.
Deng stayed in Hong Kong for three weeks. At the end of this time, I arranged a large reception, during which Deng Pufang presented paintings to each of the donors. They were all surprised and thrilled. Deng returned to Beijing and built his rehabilitation centre.
據報道,鄧樸方代表團籌得善款後,在當中撥出500萬「回贈」給方心讓的香港復康會,以表示中港殘疾人一家。
1984年12月,中英元首正式簽訂聯合聲明,方心讓亦是少數獲邀上京見證的香港觀禮團成員,其後又多次上京會見領導人。
4. 六四後信心一票
雖然淡出政壇,但透過復康事業與國際聯繫,方心讓在中英方高層人脈關係仍有相當影響力。好些朋友因而請他幫忙,為中國投資開路。方心讓自傳稱,1987年2月,他就被朋友硬拉下水做股東,一起上京會見港澳辦官員,還未定過神來,已經要代表港方合伙人與中方簽訂合資協議,在北京興建酒店港澳中心。方心讓大名成為中方信賴該投資項目的保證,中方不但撥出鄰近市中心地段,更負責籌組九成建築費用,由金城銀行牽頭,三家日資、三家港資與三家中國大陸銀行組成銀團貸款提供資金。那邊廂,方心讓欲取得港府協助,當時新任港督衛奕信重申立場,不便在過渡期之初直接參與這「大龍鳳」,但答應9月訪京期間抽時間「路過」參加酒店動土禮。
Fang(2002) Rehabilitation: A life’s Work, 138–141:
The project they were trying to develop was a hotel complex in Beijing. They wanted to construct a home away from home for Hong Kong citizens visiting Beijing. The Beijing government liked the idea but were unfamiliar with my friends. The government suggested that they might be more comfortable if they had someone like me involved. The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office also said that they would support the project if I were involved.My friends knew that I had been working for some time to advance the cause of the disabled in China. They knew that I had developed connections with high-ranking people on the mainland. They also knew that I had recently stepped down from my duties in the Executive Council and the Legislative Council but maintained close contact with people at high levels in the government of Hong Kong.My participation in the project made a lot of sense. If needed, I could be an effective mediator between those in the Hong Kong government and those at high levels in the Beijing government. I asked to have some time to consider their proposal. Unfortunately, my equivocation was taken as an affirmative answer. My friends quickly arranged for all of us to fly up to Beijing to meet with officials from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office on February 18, 1987.Developments unfolded rapidly. Everyone seemed delighted that I had become part of the team. We had a long and detailed meeting over dinner in Beijing. My friends unfolded detailed plans of the hotel complex they proposed. Before I realised what was happening, a letter of agreement was drafted and I was asked to sign on behalf of the Hong Kong partners. All this unfolded over the course of a cold evening in Beijing.
The first thing I did when I returned to Hong Kong was to speak with Governor Edward Youde and the Hong Kong government.[按:港督尤德於1986年12月4日,方心讓說1987年訪京回港後與他接洽,大概是時序有誤,接洽可能早過訪京發生] I was looking for support from the government — support of any kind. The answer I got was that it was too early for the British government to consider involvement in such a project at this time. They wanted to wait until we were closer to 1997 and the handover.
Sadly, Governor Youde passed away in his sleep during a trip to Beijing shortly thereafter. I had to wait until the next governor was chosen and sworn into office. Fortunately, the new governor was a man I knew and trusted. David Wilson had been the political advisor during the MacLehose years. I had had the occasion to work with him often. However, I got the same reply as I’d received from Governor Youde. They felt it was too early for them to become involved in such a highprofile project. Governor Wilson did agree, however, to attend our ground-breaking ceremony to be held in September 1987…A ceremony to announce the commencement of the project was arranged in the People’s Great Hall. Everybody who was at all involved in the matter was invited. Governor Wilson was also invited. He happened to be in Beijing meeting with people in the foreign ministry in the hall adjacent to ours in the People’s Great Hall. He left his delegation to join us for our celebration.
當時預計酒店建築總費用是7000萬美元,港方六位股東負責一成資金,700萬美元。工程進度不錯,但施工需要嚴格監督。隨著六四發生,一切被迫停頓,原先發起的港方股東信心盡失,欲抽身離場,方心讓則認為既然開初已從中方透支了「人情咭」,就應該堅持完工,這亦是向九七投信心一票的重要舉措。
Fang(2002) Rehabilitation: A life’s Work, 141–142:
By the end of May 1989, the shell of the whole complex was complete. And then the Tiananmen Square incident happened. Everything — including all construction — came to a halt after June 4, 1989. At this point, my so-called ‘friends’ in the project wanted to pull out.They no longer had confidence in the Beijing government or in the financial viability of the project. Since my friends held a greater number of shares in the hotel, they felt that their will should be followed. I disagreed. I felt we should finish what we’d begun. My partners took me to court. They employed the English common law against me, under a provision called Order 14…
The reason I insisted on fighting on like this was that I’d made a firm promise to my Chinese partners that I’d complete the project. I also believed strongly that it was important for Hong Kong to make a gesture of good will towards China in the run-up to the handover. I was not about to back down from such a promise.
結果雙方對簿公堂,方心讓幾經艱辛贏了官司,但對方再入禀上訴,頓時令大筆銀團貸款不能動彈,眼見工程快要周轉不靈爛尾告終,自己又要身敗名裂,方心讓與家族成員商量後,決定抵押本身資產以至太座珠寶首飾尋求貸款,以500萬美元買回五位港方股東,換取對方撤銷上訴申請,使銀團貸款鬆綁,得以完成工程。1991年3月底,酒店試業開張,滿場衣香鬢影,總理李鵬現身,方氏受寵若驚。
Fang(2002) Rehabilitation: A life’s Work, 143:
I was astonished when my Chinese partners told me that Premier Li Peng wanted to attend our ‘soft opening’ as an official guest. It made us all very nervous and very excited. Everything had to be checked and double-checked. The construction team and all the workers were terribly proud and excited because never before had a hotel complex been opened by the premier.Many people — including many celebrities — were invited to come to the opening from Hong Kong. My niece, Anson Chan, came as did Sir S.Y. Chung and Councillor Lee Peng-fei and a number of others. My son-in-law, Cheung Yuk-tong, a Hong Kong solicitor with the international law firm Baker and Mackenzie, was the master of ceremonies. All went very well indeed. We all breathed a great sigh of relief.
港澳中心由瑞士酒店集團營運,開業三個月已收支平衡,幾年間已償還大部份銀團貸款,中方特別安排香港中銀收購方心讓手上九成半股份,讓他得以取回抵押並發了50萬美元小財。方氏形容,酒店所以成功,一個原因是中國官方高調使用。
Fang(2002) Rehabilitation: A life’s Work, 145:
One of the reasons why the hotel was such a success from the very beginning is that my Chinese partners arranged to have all of the preparatory meetings on the handover of Hong Kong and Macao held at our hotel. To this day, the chief executives of both Hong Kong and Macao use our hotel when visiting Beijing. It’s truly a home away from home for Hong Kong people.
港澳中心連續六年獲選北京最佳五星級酒店,方心讓透過其馬會人脈架設了當時全國唯一可投注香港賽馬的「京港通」專線;另又要求酒店設無障礙樓層,並與同濟醫學院合作,在酒店開設西醫診所,該診所甚至獲加國政府指定為準移民驗身中心。
5. 安排陳太破冰密會京官
1993年,方心讓姪女陳方安生獲港府擢升為首位華人布政司,在中英爭拗中以強硬態度為港府護航,被中方點名批評。
隨著中英破裂中方另起爐灶,特區預委會、籌委會、推委會以至臨時立法會陸續埋班。1995年港澳辦主任魯平訪港,亦企圖繞過港督拉攏公務員,包括18萬公務員之首陳方安生,但礙於官方立場不得要領。
這時愛國復康之父方心讓正好做橋樑,協助安排陳太密會京官。方心讓自傳記述了魯平如何託其行事,這私下「面試」如何成功令陳太成為平穩過渡重要象徵。
Fang(2002) Rehabilitation: A life’s Work, 159–162:
I was in Beijing in the summer of 1995. Naturally, I was staying at my hotel, the Hong Kong Macau Center/Swissotel. I received a phone call from Lu Ping, who was head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office in Beijing and one of the people at the very centre of the negotiations for the handover in 1997. Lu Ping asked me if I would be so kind as to drop by his office for a short meeting.The first question Lu Ping asked me — after closing his office door for privacy — was if I was related to Mrs Anson Chan, Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary. He seemed to know that she was my niece but wanted verbal confirmation. I obliged him by answering simply and directly, ‘Yes, she is my niece.’He said that ‘they’ had a problem. By ‘they’ he meant China’s top leadership. None of them had met Anson, although they knew about her, and knew her to be the first Chinese and the first woman to hold the position of Chief Secretary.I told Lu Ping that Anson was brilliant, honest and hard working. I told him that she would serve Hong Kong and China as long and as well as she could.
Shortly after my meeting with Lu Ping, Anson made a ‘secret trip’ to Beijing to meet with Qian Qichen, China’s foreign minister. As it was a ‘secret trip’ she didn’t stay at my hotel — she stayed in a guest house in the central government compound.Lu Ping told me that everyone was impressed by this ‘young, pretty and smart woman.’ Lu Ping commented that it was a rare combination in a civil servant. He repeated a number of times that ‘she is a very nice lady.’ Apparently, China’s top leadership was both impressed and reassured.
Anyone who watched the handover ceremonies — in person or on television — would have seen the Honourable Anson Chan. Anson stood in the very middle of the stage — metaphorically bringing both sides together. She wore a brilliant red Chinese cheung sam. I was deeply moved and extremely proud to see my niece in such an honoured position…
The Chinese saw things very differently than the British. For us, Hong Kong was not being returned to some foreign devil. We were going home, that’s all. For many of us, we had never really left the motherland China…
At midnight on June 30 I was in the Hong Kong Convention Centre for the change of sovereignty ceremonies and the swearing-in of the new government. The British were assembled on the right side of the stage and the Chinese on the left side. I was surprised and deeply moved to see that my niece, Anson Chan, was the only figure linking the two sides… Hong Kong returned to the mainland. We were home again. I couldn’t stop the tears in my eyes.
熱淚盈眶迎九七,自言「討厭政治」的方心讓,除了扮演橋樑密使,更出任「勞工、基層、宗教等界」的推委會委員,協助選出臨立會議員及首屆行政長官。
6. 推動半官方文化統戰
踏入2000年,方心讓一度中風入院,後來康復。2001年,姪女陳方安生宣佈提早退休,本來被視為平穩過渡象徵的董陳配告一段落,方心讓則與富豪李嘉誠、工聯會楊光同獲大紫荊勳章。
文匯報(2001年10月14日):
行政長官董建華昨日在香港禮賓府舉行的二○○一年度勳銜頒授典禮上,頒授勳銜及獎狀予二百五十一名受勳人士及三名已逝世受勳人士的配偶。獲頒授大紫荊勳章的方心讓、李嘉誠及楊光出席了頒授典禮,他們都表示,對於獲授特區最高的榮譽,感到十分高興…方心讓表示…進行傷殘人士的復康工作已有五十年,他表示要感謝一直以來與他共事的同僚。他說,在一九八一年,自己以國際復康會主席的身份到東柏林出席會議,還未踏出機場,在停機坪已有數十人在迎接自己…當時發覺找不到自己的簽證,正在躊躇之際,有人對他表示:「先生你不用簽證」,他有點疑惑,並反問為何不用簽證?此人回答道:「你不是中國大使嗎?」他坦言,今次的心情跟當時一樣…
獲頒大紫荊勳章的李嘉誠及方心讓均表示,雖然自己與另一位同樣獲頒大紫荊勳章的楊光並不熟稔,但政府授勳予楊光自有其道理。方心讓醫生說,昨天他與楊光都有互相握手祝賀對方。
2002年方心讓出版自傳,翌年再度中風臥床,至2009年8月病逝。
兩次中風之間,方心讓據傳曾到北京醫院特別為前港澳辦主任進行半月板小型手術。其餘更多時間,是推動文化工作,宣揚中國軟實力。
最主力是推動創立「中國文化研究院」,由饒宗頤教授和胡從經教授編撰計劃書,邀得特首董建華做贊助人,並請當時聯交所主席李業廣出面做理事會主席,先後從特區政府「優質教育基金」取得4500萬元資助,來製作網上版和印刷版「中國文明知識庫」,當時報道稱是「本港首項應用資訊科技以配合教育及課程改革的大型中國文化工程」,要為全港師生家長提供豐富全面中國文化知識,網站在2001年10月面世,2003年在聯合國首屆信息峰會獲得「世界最佳文化網站大獎」,2005年及2006年分別推出簡體版及英文版。2018年,中國文化研究院正式成為團結香港基金成員機構。
文匯報(2001年10月28日):
由行政長官董建華擔任督導委員會主席的「燦爛的中國文明」網站(www.chiculture.net)昨日正式啟用…出席啟用典禮的主禮嘉賓有,行政長官董建華、教育統籌局局長羅范椒芬、教育署署長張建宗、優質教育基金督導委員會主席顧爾言和中國文化研究院理事會主席李業廣等人士,其他嘉賓還有中國文化研究院理事會副主席方心讓、理事區永熙、馬紹良,香港津貼中學議會主席許俊炎,前政務司司長陳方安生,以及社會各界人士、學生和老師等。而中國教育部部長陳至立發來賀信…主席李業廣致詞時說,今次網站的啟用有賴中央政府各部門與特區政府的全力支持…深信網站提供的互動教學素材,有助本港青少年認識與認同祖國歷史文化,增進民族自豪感…
方心讓又應青年協會主席王䓪鳴邀請,參與港府、青協及中華全國青年聯合會合辦大型千禧盛事,包括在北京人民大會堂舉辦研討會,又在萬里長城舞動萬尺巨龍創健力士世界紀錄,並成立連結全球華裔青年做「龍的傳人」的「龍傳基金」,由方心讓任主席,其他董事包括王䓪鳴、李澤楷、梁振英、梁錦松、羅康瑞、馮國經、楊鐵樑、李麗娟等。
當時基金籌得超過3000萬款項,其中包括港府從馬會千禧慈善馬票所得1000萬收益,計劃進行青年領袖講座和各種交流活動。近年主要活動包括「龍匯100」中國交流團、觀瀾湖慈善高爾夫球賽、杭州創科考察團、大灣區深度遊等,又有舊生組織進行師友計劃。
那邊廂,全國政協施祥鵬主催成立文化統戰聯合組織「香港中華文化總會」,亦邀得方心讓與眾多愛國人士如莊世平、徐展堂、范徐麗泰等做創會會長。該會稱以弘揚中華文化為宗旨,積極推動文化回歸、人心回歸,並大力支持特區政府依法施政,在幾次政改、反佔中和審議國安法期間都進行了重要表態。
文匯報(2000年10月28日):
經過一年時間籌備成立的「中華文化總會」將在本周六晚假灣仔華潤大廈新光酒樓隆重舉行創會慶典暨聯歡晚會。據中華文化總會理事長張詩劍稱,屆時大會主禮嘉賓包括全國政協副秘書長王巨祿,聯絡辦副主任王鳳超、鄒哲開,中央統戰部秘書長孫曉華,香港民政事務局局長林煥光,文化部部長助理常克仁,外交部駐港公署副特派員唐國強。張詩劍表示,組織中華文化總會,是希望將有志弘揚中華文化的人士和機構結合起來,凝聚力量,集思廣益,促進特區的文化繁榮,擴大對外交流。創立中華文化總會的構思由全國政協委員施祥鵬提出,得到政協常委徐四民,全國政協委員、新恆基集團董事長高敬德和許多熱心人士支持。據介紹,中華文化總會的創會會長包括徐四民、莊世平、黃克立、胡鴻烈、范徐麗泰、徐展堂、王丹鳳、方心讓、施祥鵬。會長為高敬德,副會長則有劉宇新、旋展熊、李揚、黃紫玉、周安達源、陳曉穎、浦江、張詩劍、謝緯武、許榮茂、劉與量。
香港中華文化總會網站:
20年來,文化總會秉承弘揚中華文化的宗旨,積極推動文化回歸,以促進人心回歸。本會鼓勵屬會關注社會,參政議政…自2005 年起,本會兩年一度、連續三次舉辦了「基本法」、「和諧社會」和「我心中的祖國」徵文大賽…此外,本會籌劃的眾多活動直接深入到香港各社區和廣大市民之中,備受歡迎…2010年6月…本會暨所屬團體及時表態,在報刊上刊登廣告堅決支持特區政府關於2012年行政長官和立法會選舉的辦法方案,率先呼籲立法會議員表決通過政改方案…6月19日,本會組織了1,500人參加「為普選 撐政改」大遊行,為香港的政制發展盡了最大努力。2013年以來,一小撮人藉以爭取普選為名,發起「佔領中環」行動…香港中華文化總會率先在報章發表了堅決向「佔中」說不…率領所屬社團近3000人參加了「8.17和平普選大遊行」,身體力行地支持反暴力、反佔中、保和平、保普選活動…
2020年5月份全國兩會在北京召開,文化總會獲悉國安法列入全國人大議程後,於5月22日及時發表支持國安法的聲明…5月31日,中聯辦宣文部發起的香港文化演藝界聯署支持國安法,總共三千多人聯署,其中,文化總會參與聯署的人數佔了近一半。高敬德會長在6月至7月在香港《文匯報》發表了4篇文章…表達衷心歡迎和堅決支持香港國安法正式實施,深信香港國安法將引領香港走出亂局困局,使香港實現由大亂到大治的偉大轉折,走向更加光明的未來。
2009年方心讓逝世,全國政協副主席鄧樸方致悼詞,清楚描述他如何在時代轉折,透過復康事業國際聲譽與人脈,為中國重踏國際舞台發揮橋樑角色。
《永遠懷念方心讓》(2009) 頁14:
方先生愛國愛港,積極促進內地與香港殘疾人領域的交擁與合作,他的貢獻一直為全國各地的殘疾人和殘疾人工作者所稱頌。作為一名國際知名社會活動家,方先生協助我們與國際殘疾人組織建立了良好的合作關[係]。他對國際殘疾人事業的貢獻,特那是為促進制定聯合國《殘疾人權利公約》所做出的努力將永遠被世人銘記。方先生的逝世使我失去了一位良師議友,國際殘疾人事業失去了一位[傑]出的領軍人物。
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