Hong Kong cries out for sunny skies after too many storm clouds

The omens for Hong Kong’s future as the city marks the 25th anniversary of its return to China are not good, if the weather is any guide. The heavens rained on the parade and celebrations were muted. There was even a typhoon. Soothsayers might predict stormy times ahead.

If it had not been for the attendance of President Xi Jinping, on his first trip outside mainland China during the pandemic, the whole affair would have been a damp squib. But Xi’s presence gave the proceedings symbolism and significance, underlining Hong Kong’s importance to Beijing.

The president’s speech was delivered at a critical time after three years of turbulence. Clarity and confidence is needed. Many residents have left, disillusioned by a crackdown on opposition and frustrated by tight Covid-19 restrictions. There are fears about the future.

Xi’s speech offered some welcome reassurance. The president expressed support for both the national security law passed in 2020 and the political reforms ensuring only “patriots” govern Hong Kong. That is only to be expected.

Xi Jinping had message for world and Hong Kong in speech for handover anniversary

But this was not a lecture on the overriding importance of national security or a diatribe on the evils of Western powers, of the kind frequently heard from local officials in recent times. Xi’s tone was moderate, inclusive and optimistic.

At its heart was a reassertion of Hong Kong’s traditional role. He spoke of the need to maintain the city’s unique status and strengths. These include consolidating its role as an international financial, shipping and trading centre and maintaining a free and open business environment.

Significantly, Xi stated that the city’s common law system would be retained, pointing out that the judiciary operates independently. This should provide the legal profession with confidence and encourage the courts to rule freely and fairly.

The president also highlighted Hong Kong’s need to expand its “smooth and convenient linkages with the rest of the world”.

This is music to the ears not only of residents, but those who wish to visit or do business here. Travel restrictions have left the city marooned. It was also nice, amid geopolitical tensions, to hear the president extend cordial greetings to “foreign friends”.

But it is Xi’s four hopes that will be most exercising the mind of new chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu. This is his “to do” list. Lee must improve governance, further China’s development and attract people from elsewhere to “fulfil their dreams” in Hong Kong.

His “top priority”, however, is to improve the lives of ordinary people. Few would argue with Xi’s call for bigger flats, greater opportunities, better education and improved elderly care. The failure of successive administrations to tackle the housing crisis and wealth gap is a disgrace.

But this will require a different approach. Attempts to build a fairer society have frequently been frustrated by powerful sectors driven by self-interest. Much-needed policies are often delayed, ditched or watered-down.

The most important line in Xi’s speech might, therefore, be the call for reforms “breaking the impediments of vested interest and fully unleashing the enormous creativity and development vitality of Hong Kong society”.

Hong Kong at 25: where mainland ‘drifters’ have made their home

I have a few hopes of my own. The “new chapter” for Hong Kong should involve moving on from the troubles of recent years. I hope officials dial down their rhetoric and opt for rational debate. They should be willing to accept criticism, be open to new ideas, and engage in public consultation.

The new secretary for justice, I hope, will – now that stability has been restored – exercise some restraint when applying national security laws. New laws must meet the required human rights standards. And the courts need to have the confidence to call cases as they see them.

Let us also hope that the aim of reconnecting Hong Kong with the world, so it can once again be China’s gateway, sees travel restrictions quickly lifted.

The handover party, such as it was, is over. Now, we want to see the storm clouds disperse and sunny skies return.