https://www.scmp.com/rss/322388/feed Po Chung is co-founder of DHL International and founder of the Hong Kong Institute of Service Leadership and Management. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Many in Hong Kong have a blind spot about our success, which may explain why some fear it is on the wane. This blind spot exists as many fail to understand why Hong Kong is unique. This may be because we have become myopic and too locally focused, limiting our field of vision to the mainland or to our position in Asia. People fail because they do not look beyond their region or time zone. If we step back and look at Hong Kong from a global perspective, we see that the city fulfils a much broader... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2119301/has-myopic-hong-kong-lost-sight-its-unique-purpose-global?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2119301/has-myopic-hong-kong-lost-sight-its-unique-purpose-global?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Nov 2017 06:03:12 +0000 It is encouraging to see STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects being promoted strongly in Hong Kong and elsewhere. I see them as “hard” STEM, as they are regarded as essential skills for 21st-century students. However, this century is all about a people-based, or service, economy. Focusing solely on ‘hard’ STEM subjects will cost us too much and harvest too little in return Hong Kong has potential in research and development; its universities are world-class. But it... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2092272/hong-kong-must-sharpen-its-soft-science-skills-find-place?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2092272/hong-kong-must-sharpen-its-soft-science-skills-find-place?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 May 2017 06:34:18 +0000 To halt the declining competitiveness of Hong Kong, it is crucial that we critically review our past success in urban planning and adapt to new challenges. Hong Kong’s economic miracle was born of a seamless pairing between jobs and people. In the past, subsidised housing was matched with subsidised factory space in newly built satellite towns, empowering people to take up all manner of jobs – some worked in factories while others, mainly children and housewives, took up part-time work at home,... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2048272/how-cheaper-transport-fares-can-help-hong-kongs-economy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2048272/how-cheaper-transport-fares-can-help-hong-kongs-economy?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Nov 2016 09:02:46 +0000 To untangle the economic complexity and challenges we face today, it helps if we can make sense of where we are and how we arrived here. The cumulative wealth of several generations has helped the global economy boom over the past 100 years. However, this explosive growth has come to an end and will not be repeated. The “silent generation”, born in the mid-1920s to early 1940s, fought for survival during the heavy financial insecurities of the Great Depression and second world war, emerging with... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2025636/why-chinas-economic-boom-will-never-be-repeated?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2025636/why-chinas-economic-boom-will-never-be-repeated?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Oct 2016 02:50:25 +0000 I was encouraged to hear earlier this month the chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Yu Zhengsheng (俞正聲), urging Hong Kong’s visiting delegates to better engage with Hong Kong’s youth. The more cynical among us may see this simply as posturing for the chief executive election in 2017. However, the sentiment hits on a crucial issue facing Hong Kong’s leadership. Involve Hong Kong’s young people more in decision making, Executive Council member says One of the main... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1930552/hong-kong-must-rid-itself-top-down-mindset-alienates-workers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1930552/hong-kong-must-rid-itself-top-down-mindset-alienates-workers?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Mar 2016 02:01:53 +0000 Recent articles have suggested that Hong Kong is sinking into irrelevance. We've heard the arguments before; that, in order to compete with mainland China, Hong Kong must invest in, and revitalise its commitment to, research and development. As a result of globalisation, China has consistently attracted more investment for bigger and better production lines. Like many manufacturing centres, Hong Kong suffered. These days, companies are moving their plants to other countries in Asia, Africa and... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1719625/hong-kong-can-stay-out-mainlands-shadow-upgrading-its?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1719625/hong-kong-can-stay-out-mainlands-shadow-upgrading-its?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2015 16:25:11 +0000 General education, or liberal arts education, is now seen as a key to developing civically responsible and economically productive citizens. Hong Kong universities have recently commenced their new four-year programmes, which place great emphasis on general education, so it's a good time to reflect on how it may enhance the internationalisation of Hong Kong's workforce. In my youth as an undergraduate in America, general education was mandatory. At that time, I didn't think these courses would... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1067357/how-general-education-can-sharpen-hong-kongs-edge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1067357/how-general-education-can-sharpen-hong-kongs-edge?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Given the unstoppable rise of China as a major economic power and the financial turmoil plaguing Western economies, Putonghua is becoming a fashionable language learned by many around the globe. Nevertheless, there remain up to 1.8 billion people worldwide speaking English today and, without a doubt, English as the world's lingua franca is nowhere near its expiration. English is not important for people who do not want to travel internationally. English is not important for businesses that do... https://www.scmp.com/article/980417/mind-your-language?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/980417/mind-your-language?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Where there is no vision, the people perish,' says the scriptures. For some years, this has been a criticism levelled at Hong Kong from within, as the city faces unprecedented competition from seemingly smarter, more ambitious neighbours. The recent 12th five-year plan has demonstrated China's determination to accelerate its service sector's development by aiming to raise its contribution to gross domestic product by 4 per cent. Meanwhile, a chapter was specifically dedicated to outlining... https://www.scmp.com/article/972327/service-age?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/972327/service-age?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000