City Beat | Now to go back to our future
Young people of this 'world city' need a global mindset - but they also need more opportunities
Occupy is over? The tents and barricades may be just about gone, but for Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and his administration, this battle has barely begun.
Leung, in office for more than two years now, must be well aware that, beyond democracy, there are deep-rooted problems behind all the discontent and division in the city. Housing and poverty spring to mind, but the past 2½ months of protests have thrown the spotlight on another issue: our young people.
That's probably why Leung went to Qianhai, Shenzhen, last weekend for the opening of an "incubator" for budding entrepreneurs. The Qianhai special economic zone is one of President Xi Jinping's pet projects, and the new hub - a joint effort by the Shenzhen and Hong Kong governments - aims to lure entrepreneurs aged 18 to 45. Those who start businesses there will get free rent in the first year and pay half rent in the second for office and residential space, as well as low taxes.
Leung, who officiated at the hub's opening ceremony, urged young Hongkongers looking for opportunities to consider Qianhai and other places. The opening was all over the local media, but in Hong Kong it was overshadowed by comments Leung made on the Occupy protests at the event.
Some from a Hong Kong business delegation visiting the hub were concerned about whether the internet would be more open there than in other mainland cities, as has been promised. Others fretted about increased competition.
Can this be right? Beijing's policies are always a factor when doing business on the mainland. But local businesses shouldn't fear a bit of competition in the age of the internet and globalisation, surely?