What do New Delhi, Manila, Jakarta, Bangkok, Tehran, Hiroshima, Pusan, Doha, Guangzhou and Incheon have in common? If asked, most Hong Kong people would probably wrinkle up their noses and say that they were all cities inferior to Hong Kong.
And what do Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing have in common? Most Hong Kong people would accept that they are important cities, but many would quietly feel in their hearts that Hong Kong was every bit as good and maybe just a little bit better.
And what do all 13 of these cities have in common? They have all hosted, or have agreed to host, the Asian Games.
Looking ahead to 2019, the reported bidders are Dubai, Manila, Taipei, Hanoi and Singapore, which hosted the Asian Youth Games in 2009 and the Summer Youth Olympics earlier this year. It's probably too early to get a bet on at the Jockey Club, but our old rivals Singapore certainly look a strong runner in that race.
And whether they have done it before, or have agreed to do it, or are bidding to do it, all these cities have one other thing in common: they are making a statement about themselves to the region, and indeed the whole world, that they are important places, they take themselves seriously, and when a significant international event is due to take place, they want to be in the thick of the action. They want to be seen as a major player on the world stage.
What of our home, Hong Kong? Well, we did bid for the 2006 Games, but perhaps because of complacency, overconfidence, politics, or some other reason, we lost out to Doha. And now we are considering a bid for the 2023 Games. But instead of polishing our credentials, firming up plans and launching a behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign to make sure we don't lose out again, we have issued a weak-as-milk-tea consultation paper with the exciting title, 'Should Hong Kong bid to host the 2023 Asian Games?' Really sets the pulse racing, doesn't it? Maybe not.