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Hong Kong
OpinionLetters

Letters | Hong Kong’s reputation as a free and open city must not be carelessly destroyed

  • Readers discuss the government’s efforts to ban songs and remove books from public libraries, a Hong Kong school’s example of innovative teaching methods, and the warming ties between Malaysia and Indonesia

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A group of music performers plays the song “Glory to Hong Kong” during a protest at a shopping mall in Hong Kong’s Kowloon Tong district, on September 18, 2019. Lawyers and academics have warned that the government’s bid to get a court ban on the song will have a major impact on the city’s freedom of information. Photo: Reuters
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The Business and Professionals Federation of Hong Kong (BPF) was founded by some of the Hong Kong members of the Basic Law Drafting and Consultative Committees who wished to continue to make a contribution towards the good governance of Hong Kong.

The BPF is entirely supportive of the “one country, two systems” principle, which provides the bedrock for the healthy development of the special administrative region. We also recognise the roles ascribed to Hong Kong as the connector of China to the outside world, an international financial centre and a cultural and intellectual hub.

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The free flow of information is essential for the achievement of Hong Kong’s mission. We appreciate the Hong Kong government’s frequent reminders of its respect for freedom of speech. Unfortunately, Hong Kong’s reputation around the world has deteriorated considerably over recent years.

It may well be that a cause has been unbalanced and unfair media reporting but, nonetheless, the existence of this problem has to be accepted and taken into account. It would be disastrous for the future of our modern city if, for example, major providers of internet services and content, so much relied on by businesses of all sizes as well as individuals, did not feel confident about continued operation in Hong Kong.
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We would therefore urge the authorities to act with the utmost caution in contemplating any action that may aggravate this already delicate situation. Hong Kong can continue to point to the rule of law that its residents enjoy but there will be understandable doubts if, say, there is a too drastic outlawing of a particular song or the removal, with flimsy justification, of books from public library shelves.
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