Hong Kong is already a significant trade and investment partner to members of RCEP, the world’s largest trade bloc. After the city’s membership is approved, it can help to harmonise trade rules, stimulate intra-bloc capital flows and foster connections and partnerships.
Many Hongkongers who are eligible to live elsewhere have not moved, a testament to their confidence in the city. And a disappointing stock market performance is no indicator of poor economic prospects – Hong Kong has gone through some low points, but bounced back each time.
Hong Kong’s growing disparity with Shanghai, Shenzhen and Singapore is cause for concern. The city must adapt and learn to take risks again to maximise its ‘two systems’ advantages.
Hong Kong is committing billions to developing AI. But for the city to realise its ambitions, employers must do more to train workers and assuage concerns about safe use and job security.
Hong Kong’s emerging debate on AI in education lags behind other parts of Asia despite a rich recent history of world-class pedagogical research. If we view AI through technological solutionism, we ignore the importance of localisation and potentially face both regional relegation and redundancy.
As Hong Kong phases in its plastics ban, more can be done such as developing reusable systems and regulating corporations to reduce packaging. Fossil fuel and petrochemical interests are impeding progress on global plastics treaty talks but local solutions show we can put an end to the scourge of plastic.
The past will not deliver the future, and Hong Kong’s private sector must take on more direct responsibility, to identify and embrace today’s vastly different economic opportunities.
The deadly blaze at New Lucky House that killed five people and injured 43 shows that fire safety laws will not save residents unless they are enforced. While amending the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance is a good start, Hong Kong must also address residents’ economic woes and tensions among stakeholders.
While some Asian property markets have seen sharp declines in prices and transactions, borrowing costs are not the only factor at play in the region. The supply-demand imbalance, for one, is just as important, if not more so.
Xia Baolong, the top official on Hong Kong affairs, is daring the city to say and do new things. The central government is expecting no less than courage from the city’s leadership.
Daily TV broadcasts giving advice on each category of waste would help ensure everyone is well prepared ahead of the full roll-out of the scheme. To delay again after one high-profile postponement would make the government look indecisive.
Hong Kong’s economic rebound depends, in the short term at least, on encouraging more mainland visitors, and getting them to spend more. n the longer term, to remedy the city’s housing and labour shortages, the government should develop a strategy to make use of the mainland’s resources and talent.
Hong Kong cannot hope to successfully engage with the Middle East if it does not thoroughly understand its economy, culture and politics.
Hong Kong must come up with more targeted and effective promotions to avoid missing out on tourists from mainland China in May Day break bonanza.
Contrary to foreign popular opinion, the Hong Kong public and media remain critical of government matters, from waste charging to the ‘Night Vibes’ campaign.
In enacting Hong Kong’s national security law, China acted legitimately to protect its sovereignty in accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration. To insist on political rhetoric as the basic premise of the report is most regrettable in the eyes of people in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong can best serve China by providing Beijing with a more accurate picture of its global image and a site for forward-thinking experimentation. Doing so will require becoming a talent hub for the Greater Bay Area, building academic ties with rest of the world and serving as a venue for needed dialogue.
Latest fire at New Lucky House broke out after building owners were allowed to ignore safety orders for 16 years. Inspections and advisory letters are not enough. There must be real enforcement
The idea of ‘sleep divorce’ hit headlines recently after Cameron Diaz espoused its benefits. Here are the pros and cons of couples sleeping in separate bedrooms, which can even benefit their sex lives.
The Education Bureau’s response to rising student suicides has been superficial at best. It must overhaul the system, starting with the homework policy. The government should also set up a student suicide prevention committee.
Visit of the ‘Snow Dragon 2’ to the city helps younger generations chart new paths for discovery.
