Gary Coull

Investment banker and former financial journalist Gary Coull sees a strong future for people who remain in Hong Kong after the handover next year despite inevitable erosion of Hong Kong's regional and international stature.

However, he says this will not come without a price being paid in the form of a much tougher social environment, including escalating crime, less-efficient administration, potentially flawed rule of law and restricted political and press freedoms. Rents too are likely to rise alarmingly.