Opinion | Hong Kong and Singapore: rivals and partners learning from each other

Small and externally oriented economies, both cities face common challenges and must make common cause, while repositioning and reinventing themselves

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Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum in Lima, Peru, on November 15, 2024. Photo: Handout

Published: 9:30am, 6 Jul 2025

In a few weeks, my family and I will leave Hong Kong, a city we have called our second home since June 2021. Much has happened in these four years.

Hong Kong was reeling from the aftermath of social unrest when I arrived. Western media was awash with commentary about the end of “one country, two systems” after the 2020 national security law and 2021 electoral reforms.

The world was in the throes of Covid-19. The airport was a ghost town. A few months later, the Omicron wave hit, holding back the city from reopening. Amid geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic headwinds, the local economy, especially retail, real estate and tourism, suffered.

But this dynamic city is bouncing back. First, in a step-by-step, practical manner, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s administration led the city out of the pandemic in late 2022, putting it on the path of steady recovery. Social restrictions were lifted, and Hong Kong regained international connectivity. Second, law and order as well as social stability have returned.

Hong Kong fulfilled its obligation under the Basic Law to enact national security legislation last year. Third, Lee embarked on a transformational exercise to adopt a results-oriented approach to governance. The government is embracing a proactive role in delivering public goods, and fostering new growth engines like mega-event tourism and innovation and technology.

The buzz is back in Hong Kong. Large numbers of tourists and consumers are back in the streets, malls and restaurants. The Kai Tak Sports Park promises to be a game-changer, with recent events drawing huge crowds.

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