Jari Sinkari points to indomitable city spirit, urges people to learn from Finland's tech sector
PHILA SIUphila.siu@scmp.com
PUBLISHED : Sunday, 27 September, 2015, 11:30pm
UPDATED : Sunday, 27 September, 2015, 11:30pm
Jari Sinkari uses the Chinese banyan as a metaphor.Photo: Nora Tam
Clinging to stone walls and steep slopes as they thrive in a tough urban environment with the odds stacked against them, the Chinese banyan tree is the perfect metaphor for the indomitable spirit of Hongkongers, Finland's top diplomat in the city says.
The trees, commonly found in Hong Kong but not seen in the subarctic climate of the Nordic country, have long fascinated the envoy, and he considers them representative of the city's "can-do spirit".
"Hong Kong people are like banyan trees because they are flexible and know how to look for opportunities," said Jari Sinkari, Finland's consul general in Hong Kong.
"They are able to find water and resources even though you would think they would not survive. For me, it is a metaphor for Hong Kong."
This "Chinese banyan tree spirit", a term the 51-year-old veteran diplomat has coined, is his version of the well-known "Lion Rock Spirit" much referred to as characteristic of Hongkongers.
The famous landmark came to be associated with Hongkongers' search for a better life after the idea was embodied in the 1970s RTHK drama Below the Lion Rock.
Sinkari said although the city was not blessed with abundant natural resources, Hongkongers were able to build the territory up from poverty to become a thriving economic centre.
"Through education and business links, Hong Kong people have been able to build their wealth," he said.
The diplomat encouraged Hong Kong businessmen to take advantage of Finland's booming technology industry, citing Rovio, the entertainment media company responsible for the smartphone app sensation Angry Birds.
Sinkari said mobile game development firm Supercell, which launched the hugely popular app Clash of Clans, was set to follow hot on the heels of Rovio.
He urged Hong Kong businessmen to attend Slush 2015 in Helsinki, a two-day conference in November showcasing Finland's burgeoning start-up scene.
Last year, 1,400 companies took part in the event that featured guests including Alibaba chief technology officer Wang Jian and Spotify's co-founder and chairman Martin Lorentzon.
Guests this year include Skype founder Niklas Zennstrom and Nokia chairman Risto Siilasmaa.
"Hong Kong businessmen can come to the event and scan the opportunities there so they can bring the ideas to the mainland [China] market," Sinkari said.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1861928/hongkongers-are-chinese-banyan-trees-says-citys-finnish
