Opinion | Vibrant, unique Hong Kong is still key to China’s development, and Beijing should be grateful for the city’s distinct status

As chief financial filter, Hong Kong was key to China’s economic miracle. Now, the city and its unique culture can give China’s soft power a much-needed boost, and be a test bed for the freedoms the mainland’s middle classes will sooner or later want

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Protesters march through Wan Chai on December 8. Hong Kong is a perfect candidate for a special political zone, where freedoms could be tested with an eye to gradual social liberalisation across the rest of China. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 10:15am, 15 Dec 2019Updated: 1:02pm, 15 Dec 2019

“Hong Kong is a spoiled child who doesn’t recognise its privilege.” “Hongkongers have a superiority complex, and aren’t willing to accept their city becoming more ordinary amid China’s gargantuan economic expansion and growing worldwide influence.” Such criticism is common enough to seem stereotypical. And, like most stereotypes, there is some truth in them but they are far from the whole truth.

Hong Kong is a distinct society in the Chinese sociocultural world, and deserves recognition for that. It has evolved on a braided pathway of cultural traditions, colonial experience and global interaction, which have produced a unique template of societal values and mix of institutions.

The legacy of its history is a population with several strongly held expectations about both the economy and society. Expectations of freedoms include those of expression in word and in print, and of association for religious and political purposes. A legal system free from corruption and independent of government interference. A press free to praise and criticise all aspects of society.

And, importantly, there are expectations of an increasingly reciprocal relationship between the populace and its government. This sophisticated outlook is a treasure which should not be overlooked – let alone suppressed.

Added to this mindset, Hong Kong’s mode of expression is also unique, as seen through its politically inspired and determinedly vibrant art scene, and its socio-generative use of Cantonese. Hong Kong’s Cantonese is a distinct variety of a language with over 60 million speakers, and is the heart of the territory’s cultural identity. Not only is it the most commonly heard tongue on the streets, it is also the most prevalently used language for official and education purposes, unlike the rest of China where Mandarin prevails.

Beyond the recognition of its distinct status and culture, Hong Kong deserves gratitude. China could not have come into being in its current form without the exceptional abilities and influence of Hong Kong. No place has been more key to China’s development because of its interface between the mainland and the outside world, and its provision of investment, expertise and personnel.

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