LettersWhy Hong Kong is better off without ‘free economy’ tag

Name: Chinese premier addresses Hong Kong electoral changes, US-China relations, as ‘two sessions’ closes
Uploaded: 2021-03-18T22:30:07.000Z
Duration: 5 min 13 s
Description: Chinese premier addresses Hong Kong electoral changes, US-China relations, as ‘two sessions’ closes

Red tape, rigid hierarchy, platitudes and a quick-fix mentality lay behind the “small government, big market” delusion strangling innovation and efficiency

The government must lead its own reforms, not wait for Beijing, and consolidate Hong Kong’s leading role in the Greater Bay Area and Belt and Road Initiative

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Members of concern groups focused on housing for low-income households, subdivided flats and social security aid stage a protest at Tamar Park in Admiralty, urging the Hong Kong government to tackle poverty and homeless, on July 5 last year. Photo: Felix Wong

Letters

Published: 6:30am, 19 Mar 2021Updated: 6:30am, 19 Mar 2021

To me, the Heritage Foundation’s recent decision to drop Hong Kong from its list of free economies came as no surprise.

To rebrand Hong Kong, the administration has splashed out millions of dollars on global advertising campaigns. But with the city caught in the geopolitical tightrope between China and the United States, do the officials seriously believe their campaigns can counter all the anti-China propaganda in the West?

Hong Kong should seek self-reliance and strengthen its economic competitiveness through greater integration with China’s national development. After all, businessmen are mercenary and opportunistic. There will be investment where there is economic opportunity.

As such, the government must walk the talk in consolidating Hong Kong’s leading role in the Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative. It has thus far initiated no bold, groundbreaking schemes comparable to those offered on the mainland for industries and entrepreneurs.

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Chinese premier addresses Hong Kong electoral changes, US-China relations, as ‘two sessions’ closes

Also, a great leader should be driven. I do not think Beijing would have blown off Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor had she been the one to put forward the blueprint for Hong Kong’s electoral reform.

Regrettably, red tape, rigid hierarchy, platitudes and a quick-fix mentality – all hidden behind the “small government, big market” delusion – have strangled innovation and efficiency in the civil service. It is difficult to find capable people to serve.