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Opinion | Why the doom and gloom over Hong Kong is misguided
- Through a message from the director of the liaison office, the central government has shown it believes it is in everyone’s best interest to maintain the status quo in Hong Kong
- Despite the geopolitical challenges, the city has a real chance to play a global role – if it is proactive
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Why you can trust SCMP
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There is a sense among some in the international community that Hong Kong is somehow losing its relevance and perhaps changing for the worse. Our three-year hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic and the period of social unrest before that attracted a great deal of global media coverage. This has fuelled the negative sentiment around the city that continues today.
Some observers seem to have forgotten Hong Kong’s rich history as one of the world’s top trading economies and an international financial and commercial hub, one that serves China, Asia and the rest of the world.
Our prosperity since the handover is a clear reflection of the successful implementation of “one country, two systems” framework. It provides a unique, valuable and distinct economic advantage whether viewed from a local, regional or international perspective.
The consensus is that since the city reopened its borders, Hong Kong is back and better than ever despite some sectors continuing to struggle to overcome the effects of a period of sustained global economic uncertainty. This was evident when I recently joined an international forum with some of our most prominent intellectuals, business and government leaders.
They were invited to share their experiences and re-evaluate Hong Kong’s path towards sustainable economic and social progress in a somewhat fractured post-pandemic world. It was reassuring to hear from distinguished speakers from the world of art and culture as well as financial services, sport, technology and more, all saying that Hong Kong’s future looks brighter than ever. Progress is being made in important, high-value sectors.
The single most important takeaway from that day was the message from Zheng Yanxiong, the director of central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong. Throughout his address he reiterated the vital role Hong Kong has played and will continue to play in China’s modernisation.
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