Letters | Hong Kong, through the eyes of a mainland visitor

Readers discuss Hong Kong’s position in China’s economy, the growing importance of the Shenzhen Bay control point, and a warning from Malaysia’s new king

Hong Kong tourism

Letters

Published: 11:30am, 29 Feb 2024

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Exactly seven years ago, during the Lunar New Year holiday, my family visited Hong Kong for the first time. We were amazed by the city’s crowded streets, the magnificent lights at night, and of course, how expensive it was to live here.

This Lunar New Year, we visited Hong Kong again but only stayed for a few nights – because hotels are more expensive now.

I love Hong Kong the way it was and is, but here are my takes as a visitor.

First, Hong Kong is becoming more like a regular metropolis elsewhere in China. Don’t get me wrong, the signatures of the city are still here. But elsewhere in China, we have seen similar things, except bigger or with more visitors.

Second, local people are looking nostalgic yet speaking better Mandarin. Before this visit, I came across videos online about Hongkongers shopping more often in Shenzhen. This competition from the north must be the reason many shopkeepers in Hong Kong are giving mainland visitors like us the “all right, so how can I help you?” look nearly all the time.

Hong Kong may need to rethink its position in the Chinese economy. As the US pursues decoupling to contain China’s further rise, some doors are closed to Hong Kong, yet new windows might open. When it comes to economic competition, if cities nearby offer harbours, more land, technological innovations or cheaper prices, Hong Kong should have something else, or try to compete at a different level.

It may be time for Hong Kong to abandon some of its elitist economic policies. With a slower Chinese economic recovery and a rather sluggish world economy, it isn’t a good sign if Hong Kong is still known to be expensive or primarily for elite young graduates. Think about it: Shenzhen and other special economic zones were not picky, and they became what they are right now. A great economic hub is often built on equal opportunities.

Finally, never underestimate the Chinese economy – and not because it is run by a large bureaucracy with Leninist principles, but because it is people like me, who will save money and wait patiently just to visit Hong Kong again.

Liang Qiao, Hangzhou

Shenzhen Bay crossing is becoming more important

The Shenzhen Bay control point opened for 24 hours a day from February 9 to February 13. The measure drew praise, after the chaos on New Year’s Eve, and was implemented smoothly.

But now the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang control point is once again the only land crossing in operation 24 hours a day. Because of changing travel patterns, more people from Hong Kong are exploring different parts of Shenzhen, such as Nanshan and Longhua districts, which are quite far from Huanggang. Moreover, the economic centre of Shenzhen is shifting west, where there are many modern shopping malls.

You can imagine how inconvenient it is for visitors to travel back to Huanggang from the western part of Shenzhen, especially after midnight. The Shenzhen Bay control point seems to be more suitable for 24-hour operation, as it is connected to Tuen Mun, which has comprehensive transport links to other districts in Hong Kong.

With a new subway link at Shenzhen Bay set to be operational within the year, it will soon be easier to visit the western part of Shenzhen. To benefit both sides of the border, 24-hour passenger clearance at Shenzhen Bay should be permanently implemented as soon as possible.

Jack Chung, Sham Shui Po

Malaysia should heed the new king’s warning

I refer to “Malaysia’s new king Sultan Ibrahim signals strong backing for Anwar” (February 26).

It was Walter Bagehot (1826-1877) – banker, journalist, editor, economist and author of The English Constitution – who put so memorably what it means to have a constitutional monarchy.

According to Bagehot, a constitutional monarch is one who would say to his minister: “The responsibility of these measures is upon you. Whatever you think best must be done. Whatever you think best shall have my full and effectual support. But you will observe that for this reason and that reason what you propose to do is bad; for this reason and that reason what you do not propose is better. I do not oppose, it is not my duty to oppose; but observe that I warn.”

Bagehot also wrote that “the sovereign has, under a constitutional monarchy such as ours, three rights – the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, the right to warn. And a king of great sense and sagacity would want no others.”

When the new king of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, warned lawmakers against upsetting political stability in his first speech to them as monarch, it should not be taken only as royal support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his unity government.

It must be taken seriously as a king exercising the right to warn. The nation must take heed.

Mohamad Hafiz Bin Hassan, lecturer, Faculty of Law, Multimedia University, Malaysia