Australian consul general suggests 'sensible' approach to addressing Hong Kong's anti-mainland China sentiments
Envoy says 'anxious' Hong Kong can learn from how his nation benefits from outside influences
Anti-mainland sentiment in the city is understandable but Hongkongers might take reference from the experience of Australia, where an openness to outside influence has proved vital to the country's success, its top diplomat here says.
The multiracial land of immigrants has undergone pressures like those Hong Kong is under, such as an infusion of foreign investment in real estate, said Paul Tighe, Australia's consul general to Hong Kong and Macau.
"So I can understand that in a place like Hong Kong, where in the scheme of things it's very small compared to mainland China, there would be a little bit of anxiety about the impact on Hong Kong," he said.
"It's not my place to be offering advice on how to manage [sentiments], other than to say that our experience has been that an openness to foreign influence and investment has been what modern Australia has been built on."
But there was a need to respond to sentiments in a "sensible" way, he added.
"The government, from time to time, looks at policies to try to make sure they are in the national interests because we don't want to see Australians forced out of the market," he said.
The Foreign Investment Review Board had strengthened restrictions in Australia, such as only allowing foreigners to buy new properties and not old ones, he said.
Going further, the national parliament last year completed an inquiry reviewing the board's performance and issued recommendations to exercise tighter control and report property purchases by foreigners.
Having been based in the city four years, Tighe said he missed the open spaces and beautiful pristine beaches of Sydney, his hometown. He has managed to find some comfort in Po Toi Island, where he regularly goes hiking.
Tighe said he also discovered nice surprises in Aberdeen, where old warehouses are being revamped and yielding a bustling scene of art galleries and restaurants, some of which are run by his countrymen.
But the envoy hesitated to name his favourite restaurant or gallery on the record for fear of being "accused of favouring one over another". He noted: "Just like everything else in Hong Kong, there are Australians around the corner everywhere."
Hong Kong-Australia ties
● Australians living in Hong Kong: 90,000
● Australian firms based in HK: 550
● Australian companies with representative offices in HK: 1,000
● Australia’s investment in HK: A$46 billion (HK$252.5 billion)
● HK’s investment in Australia: A$77 billion
● Main goods imported from Australia to HK (last year): telecommunications equipment and parts, meat (excluding beef), gold, fruit and nuts
● Main services imported from Australia: transport and personal travel
● Main HK goods exported to Australia: optical goods, clothing, printed matter, and telecommunications equipment and parts
● Main HK services exported to Australia: transport and professional and technical business services
Consul General Paul Tighe
● Tenure: posted in October 2011; previously first assistant secretary of the Trade and Economic Policy Division (2008- 2011); ambassador to Greece (2005-2008)
● Education: bachelor of science from the University of New South Wales
● Hobby: hiking
