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Letters

I refer to the article by Albert Cheng on the growing number of people from Hong Kong making the move West (“Call of Canada: why Hongkongers are leaving for a second time”, June 15).
Although Hong Kong is superficially fine and dandy (good infrastructure, swish skyscrapers, safe streets, stable currency and so on), in many ways it could be regarded as a failed state. For a depressingly large number of citizens, it is simply not working and the future looks dire.
Throw in the uncertainties associated with 2047 – when the “one country, two systems” principle for Hong Kong’s governing framework is due to end, now less than 30 years away – and it is inevitable that many, especially the young, will start looking elsewhere to live.
The city’s leaders, whether political, business or societal, need to proactively respond to the situation. If not, future historians are likely to take a dim view of their efforts during the time they were in charge.
Jason R. Ali, Mui Wo

 


Hongkongers are moving out to escape a failed state

Hong Kong is superficially fine and dandy but, for a depressingly large number of residents, the future looks dire. Photo: AFP

Beijing cannot wish away the growing sense of hopelessness in Hong Kong

Opinion

Commercial buildings in the business district of Central in Hong Kong. Runaway home prices exacerbated by cross-border capital flight have made home ownership an increasingly unattainable dream for many Hongkongers. Photo: EPA

epa06014360 Mainland Chinese tourists take photographs next to the statue of a Golden Bauhinia flower in Hong Kong, China, 07 June 2017. The statue is located next to the Convention Centre where the ceremonies for the handover of Hong Kong and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region were held in July 1997. On upcoming 01 July 2017, Hong Kong will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its handover from Britain to China. For the past 20 years Hong Kong has been governed according to the Basic Law, the city's mini-constitution, which promises the city a high degree of autonomy from China. In May, Zhang Dejiang, China's No. three state leader, warned Hong Kong not to confront the central government over the high degree of autonomy and also rejected the notion of separation of powers in Hong Kong. EPA/JEROME FAVRE

Members of Hong Kong National Party attend a public forum on HK independence outside Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. 30APR17 SCMP / Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong youth

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong Basic Law