Opinion | Britain and Hong Kong both have much to offer – don’t listen to the misleading and exaggerated narratives
- Critics portray Britain as the last place in the world anyone would want to live, and Hong Kong as a place where every aspect of life is controlled by Beijing
- New arrivals in both places face many challenges, but it all depends on the individual, their circumstances and what they are looking for
The six months since my return to England, after 28 years in Hong Kong, have passed in a flash. My departure, from a deserted airport during a time of strict Covid curbs, is now a distant memory. I’ve embraced a new life.
Much has changed in Hong Kong and Britain during that time. But sadly, the battle of narratives continues.
Britain is routinely portrayed by its critics as the last place in the world that anyone would want to live. People here are depicted as half-starved amid a cost-of-living crisis, beset by fears of crime, unable to access healthcare and devoid of services because of strikes.
Hong Kong’s detractors, meanwhile, seem to imagine every aspect of life is now controlled by Beijing and no differences remain between the city and mainland China. For them, Hong Kong’s long-predicted demise has now occurred.
There are some elements of truth in both accounts. The two places have their problems and challenges. But each also has much to offer. Having lived in Hong Kong until recently and now experiencing life in Britain, I find such narratives misleading and exaggerated.
I am, so far, enjoying life in England. I speak as I find. I love the countryside, the history and the culture. Surprisingly, I have not yet (to my knowledge) caught Covid-19. The food I buy is generally cheaper than that I was purchasing in Hong Kong.