Hong Kong's political protests didn't put off German investors, consul general says
Consul general says HK's biggest European trading partner sees Occupy as a good thing
Investors from Hong Kong's biggest trade partner in Europe were not put off by last year's Occupy protests, Germany's top envoy to the city says, contradicting rhetoric local officials used to criticise the pro-democracy movement.
Rather, a politically active youth contingent was "good for Hong Kong", said Consul General Nikolaus Graf Lambsdorff, who believes some protest leaders could use their skills to become successful in business.
"Most people follow the political debate in Hong Kong with a lot of sympathy," Graf Lambsdorff said in an interview.
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The local government warned during the 79-day sit-ins that the city could miss out on investment and face economic woe.
But Graf Lambsdorff, whose country did €12.35 billion (HK$105.6 billion) worth of trade with the city last year, dismissed those concerns.
"If you look at the numbers, I think it is quite clear that this is not the case," the diplomat said. "I have not seen any facts that would support this view."
Asked whether he knew of any investment plans being delayed or cancelled due to Occupy, Graf Lambsdorff said: "Certainly not from the German community."
The Occupy protesters were demanding the right to open elections for the city's chief executive in 2017.
