The extradition bill risks undermining Hong Kong special status in the eyes of the international community. Any change could lead to a flight of capital, which would in turn threaten the city’s currency.
China’s military and technological gains on the US mean that nations globally may soon have to choose between Western and Chinese tech.
Hong Kong has the potential to become a cultural hub for Cantonese speakers. It should take a leaf out of France’s book and start an academy to promote and protect the Cantonese language and culture.
US-China trade tensions are largely irrelevant to Chinese seeking offshore diversification and, in the longer term, the factors that are causing the recent slowdown will also ease.
While the US government is playing catch-up with the globally powerful companies of Facebook, Google and others, Beijing’s tight grip on cyberspace appears to be paying off.