FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - MORNING
iPad Mini in hand, PETER is busy with his tapings on the icon "Join".
PETER (V.O): No response! How come? Not yet ready to let me join the Forum program?
Seeing a Networking icon, Peter taps on it.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The participants are listed in the alphabetical order. Let me find Peter Cheung.
After seeing no result, Peter taps his personal profile.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm Kam Fai Peter Cheung.
Selecting a mask-wearing photo of himself, Peter inserts it as his profile image.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When collaborators and I started up the BIP Forum in the late 1990s, we didn't foresee it would be held virtually. The pandemic opens a new era of intellectual exchanges.
Visiting the virtual Information Counter, Peter types his no-response problems and begins to chat and make other clicks. He looks frustrated.
Act 2
INT. STUDY - CONTINOUS
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Could it be because the platform doesn't support iPads?
Switching on his laptop, Peter clicks and clicks. Then, he sees images appearing on screen.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But there's no audio.
After typing in the virtual Information Counter again, Peter waits.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): No prompt reply. I'm not chatting with AI chatbots.
Having done many clicks, we hear people speaking.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): At last.
After leaving a "It's OK now" message in the virtual Information Counter, Peter begins to follow the Forum.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The keynote speaker basically talked about thinking big - all documented in his book. But he didn't seem to care about IP.
Peter clicks and watches the next program: Latest Development of the Greater Bay Area - International Intellectual Property Trading Hub.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The moderator was from Guangzhou. I shared with him and others the blue prints as to how to establish an international IP trading hub in the Greater Bay Area.
People on screen present.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It's good to hear the updates...
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I designed the concept soon after I became the Director of Intellectual Property, Hong Kong, China. Domestic IP exchanges aside, Hong Kong and China have to go global.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The concept became the theme of my official public engagements, and those in the know began to recognize its potentials and economic impact.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): My departmental colleagues weren't supportive. They didn't want to do more. And so, I did every communication to enhance capacity and lobby support nearly single-handedly.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My mainland counterparts were quick to take actions though. I believe I set the trend on international IP trading in the 2010s.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): After retiring from civil service, I've continued to do whatever I can for the public good.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): While the pandemic impact has changed some underlying assumptions, the elements needed to incubate and nurture the international IP trading hub ecosystem remain the same.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But just to run an annual international forum focusing on IP Trading already requires a lot of resources.
INT. STUDY - AFTERNOON
Sitting behind the computer, Peter continues to follow the Forum programs.
PETER (V.O.): It's good to see and hear that my vision is being concretized and applied by big brands and start-ups in the region.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Some speakers shared their success stories. While they're still baby steps, they're walking in the right direction. A journey of 1000 miles begins with the 1st step.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Have I contributed to a new era of IP-based economy? Anyway, it's really up to entrepreneurs having the right IP mindset to capitalize on the trend.
It's 3.00pm.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Time for me to join the 2020 Colloquium on International Law.
Making a few clicks on his iPad Mini, Peter joins the meeting and hears dignitaries speaking on screen.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Oh, the Colloquium has become a platform for Hong Kong, China, to sound out its stance on the application of international law.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I first developed my interest in international law in the mid-1980s. I got 2 LLMs. But, there wasn't any opportunity for me to practise it. IP has been discreet and practical.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Now, Hong Kong, China, has been subjected to direct international coercive measures, including the so-called "smart" sanctions against involved individuals. It's new era of world power politics.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - CONTINOUS
Peter notes a new phone notification.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Oh, my wealth manager is reminding me to place an investment order.
Swiftly, Peter switches on his laptop, typing a few figures and ticking a few boxes.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Done!
In front of Peter, we see 4 screens of different sizes. We hear people speaking and talking.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Despite social distancing, I feel that I've become more engaged on all fronts than ever. A new era of multitasking!
FADE OUT.
THE END
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