Are HK business interests & therefore its future best served by effective control of disruptive protests?
Speakers: Dr George Lee & Dr Tim Summers Moderator: Theresa Booth
Fascinating insights and comments on the current situation in Hong Kong regarding the protests and the National Security Legislation.
Speakers stated that the views of many citizens of Hong Kong over the recent extradition laws and protests had become polarized, and that there were many who did not agree with the protests including the business community who favoured stability and security above all else and therefore were in favour of the new National Security Legislation. How the new legislation would be implemented, was as yet unknown. Policing of the protests had been very moderate compared to policing of uprising in 1967 under the British, not to mention current policing in the USA. The National Security legislation was only introduced when the Hong Kong government was unable to pass legislation exacerbated by a polarization of views. External lobbying has not helped Hong Kong, and left many businesses caught in the cross fire in the current trade war & rivalry between the USA & China. US tariff threats may affect Hong Kong but would have little effect on China as would the UK’s response of offering BNO passports. China wants to make a success of Hong Kong, and is therefore likely to retain its independent judiciary, freedom of expression and speech, but overtime Hong Kong will develop even closer ties with the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong & Shenzhen.