While the Greater Bay Area is an important part of Hong Kong’s future, it is not necessarily the right answer for every young person in the city. There are also opportunities to be had in major mainland cities, rising inland provinces, Southeast Asia and the wider world.

The controversial TV episode is only the tip of the iceberg of the city’s failing of residents from ethnic minority communities. Hong Kong’s treatment of domestic workers, Chinese language learners and others shows talk of equality and reform remains lip service at best.

Local and overseas talent are crucial to our city’s prosperity; to keep them, the government must nurture new spaces in which both enterprise and culture can flourish. Most importantly, it needs to end the bureaucratic inertia that has left many struggling to survive during the pandemic.

More than half of all secondary school students in Hong Kong have experienced depression, yet most are unlikely to seek help. Improving services for individuals is vital, but only by addressing structural biases and stigmatisation can we get to the root of the mental illness epidemic.

We must not forget there is a human cost to Hong Kong’s pandemic response, which can be taken seriously without compromising the quest for zero Covid. The pain of Hongkongers, from Covid-19 patients to restaurateurs and pet owners, must not be overlooked.

More must be done to translate Hong Kong’s unique culture into soft power for the city and the country. The city is uniquely positioned to articulate another side to China’s story, one that complements the cultural vision projected by the mainland.

The government should diversify the economy to create more fulfilling jobs with decent pay. Remote areas need to be developed, and broader worries afflicting impoverished youth must be addressed, including mental health and discrimination.

The city is now divided into those who support the political changes in the aftermath of the protests and those who mourn the loss of the Hong Kong they once knew. However, it is in everyone’s interests to keep ‘two systems’ alive.

We should heed the words of Xia Baolong: the city needs officials who can contribute to China’s progress by uniting Hongkongers. The rise of boy band Mirror and the performance of our athletes have shown it is possible, however briefly, to bridge the political divide in Hong Kong.

Hosting the Gay Games has the potential for a large economic windfall and a morale boost after several difficult years. Also, while most Hongkongers support legalising same-sex marriage, hosting the Games does not amount to an endorsement of marriage equality.

Hong Kong has a mixed record on trans rights, which is a shame, given its status as an international city. Even putting aside the well-being of trans individuals, legal protection is integral to restoring Hong Kong’s attractiveness to foreign talent.

The dangerous myth that Asian-Americans ‘have it easier’ because of their work ethic and studious culture erases the suffering and predicaments of Asian migrants.

For politicians seeking to spark hope, there are few better ways than enacting laws protecting same-sex couples. We have a vibrant gay scene and an administration that is, on balance, more openly tolerant of LGBT individuals than many in the region. We should consolidate our advantage.

To address Hong Kong’s yawning inequalities and lagging competitiveness, we need leaders who can competently reconcile Hongkongers’ interests with those of China as it continues to rise.

Hong Kong should keep the practice of electing its leader, even if it is by a small committee, in view of its inherited mix of Western political values and Chinese cultural norms. But a leader’s performance is not contingent on how he or she is selected.

Beijing must know that Hong Kong desperately needs transparent and competent governance if it is to avoid more violence on the streets. The Hong Kong government must put residents first, especially with regard to livelihood issues.

Ocean Park could be Hong Kong’s next cultural heart, with rent-free spaces for struggling artists and revamped theatres for major concerts. Its open spaces and gorgeous views could host fine dining and boutiques as well eco-tourism and extreme sports.

The political establishment, from pro-government parties to businesses, should embrace same-sex marriage as it is in their political and economic self-interest. As societies grow more tolerant on LGBT issues, Hong Kong cannot afford to appear out of touch.

US hostility is dashing the hopes of many ordinary Chinese seeking a more liberal life, even as jingoistic pressure grows on them to not be seen as Chinese traitors and sell-outs

As both ends of the political spectrum wage an ideological war, centrists must articulate a cogent, progressive and reformist vision to fix the long-standing governance problems, and stand up for the city’s values.

The events in the US highlight the terrible consequences of insufficient checks and balances on police power. Using brute force only sows greater discontent, radicalisation and long-term instability. Addressing the causes of violence is harder but more effective.

A lack of nuance in critiquing China’s response is neither accurate nor helpful, and any serious discussion can only proceed by acknowledging Beijing’s successes as well as failures. As Europe and the US struggle with the pandemic, useful lessons may be lost.

The Covid-19 outbreak has become an excuse for some to justify their prejudice. They cherry-pick Chinese eating habits and conduct to bolster a sense of cultural superiority, and sneer at Asian public health practices while demonising an entire people in the guise of protecting public health.

Some empathy and understanding in these extraordinary times will go a long way, especially in governing, to forestall panic and help everyone pull through.

Hong Kong’s overstretched public health system is being put to the test by a growing number of people showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. More resources, creative ideas and a willingness to respect differences are needed to overcome this mental health crisis.

Both the protesters, who target Hong Kong’s prosperity, and the government, which is playing a waiting game, should realise their strategies hit the most vulnerable the hardest.

That Beijing was stunned by pro-government parties’ landslide defeat suggests a lack of transparent communication. It would benefit both sides if direct channels were established between Hongkongers and mainland officials.

Hong Kong can make the case that democratisation will produce leaders who are better able to manage Hong Kong and improve the city’s ability to serve China’s interests as an economic superpower.

Indiscriminate violence, whether deployed by protesters or pro-government thugs, destroys Hong Kong’s reputation for pluralism. If both sides turn a blind eye to violence perpetrated by affiliates, hopes for democracy will recede further.

There is no single grievance and no magic bullet. The government should stop inferring and start listening to the plurality of young people’s views, give them a greater voice in policymaking and commit to genuine political reform.