Enter the License Plate

Some kind of strange plan in Hong Kong that I don't entirely understand has resulted in one "Mr. Wong" dropping about US$5,000 on a license plate reading "BRUCELEE." Now, I love Bruce Lee, but I really don't understand what's going on, here. It seems to be a government fundraiser using vanity tags.

The mysterious Mr. Wong sez he will consult with Linda before deciding what to actually do with the plate. Most outlets quote the following from tv footage:

"When I studied in England, foreigners would only know two Chinese people. One is Bruce Lee. The other is Chairman Mao (Zedong). You can imagine how great Bruce Lee is, how big of an impact he had on the Chinese, even until today," the buyer, identified only by his surname, Wong, said in footage aired on Hong Kong's Cable TV." He is irreplaceable," Wong said.

The International Herald Tribune (from the AP wire) notes in conclusion, "The action star was known for films in which he portrayed characters that defended the Chinese and the working class from oppressors." In this regard, see especially "Fist of Fury" and "Return of the Dragon."

tags technorati : Bruce Lee, Hong Kong