Leung Man-tao talks on his new book

Hong Kong social commentator and TV critic Leung Man-tao speaks at a promotional activity for his new book named Key Words, at a branch of One Way Street Library in Beijing on Saturday, July 12, 2014. [Photo/CRIENGLISH.com]

The book Key Words covers incidents which caused big social influences, such as a string of attacks in Chinese kindergartens and controversial social phenomena like showing off wealth and flamboyance.

Leung Man-tao explains the reason why he named his new book Key Words.

"I used to run a column in Century Weekly magazine, called Key Words. Key Words usually touch upon the hot topics and big events that took place in recent years in the Chinese society. At these discussions some key words have been used frequently, and then I've picked up those key words. That's basically where the name of the book comes from."

Leung is famous for his sharp and thought-provoking critique on cultural, social and economic policies and phenomena. Take "connnection" or Guanxi, a chapter in his new book, as an example.

Once, a friend of his went to see a doctor for heart disease in a renowned specialized hospital. However, the doctor's first question was not "how do you feel now", but "do you come to see me because you have a "connection"? And the doctor also indicated he would refuse to provide a diagnosis if the connection is indirect.

Guanxi refers to the benefits gained from social connections and usually extends from extended family, school friends, workmates and members of common clubs or organizations. It is custom for Chinese people to cultivate an intricate web of guanxi relationships.

With Guanxi and many other social phenomena, Leung looks beyond appearance for the nature of phenomena and shared his thoughts in his new book.

"From my perspective, I want to analyze our thought when we employ these key words, as well as the context in which we are using these words, and the deeper meaning of expressions by use of these key words. The process reflects something hidden in our deep-consciousness that is common in today's society."