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Hong Kong society
OpinionHong Kong Opinion
Mike Rowse
Mike Rowse

Opinion | Hong Kong is its own best sales pitch – just let it speak

  • Restoring Hong Kong’s international reputation and dispelling concerns among people outside the city can be done, but only with the whole community’s support
  • Instead of overreacting to criticism, the government should focus on making Hong Kong a great place to live and work

Reading Time:3 minutes
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People stand by Victoria Harbour overlooking the central business district in Hong Kong on March 29. Foreign countries, businesses and NGOs have expressed concerns over the city’s Article 23 national security law, adding to the already-negative perception of the city outside China. Photo: EPA-EFE
Mike Rowse
The top levels of the city government need to put on their thinking caps and decide how best they can restore Hong Kong’s reputation overseas. This effort will require the support of the whole community.
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It will not be easy. Part of the problem arises because of the interplay between three groups of people. There are the local opposition figures who have moved overseas to escape the reach of Hong Kong authorities, some of whom maintain a high profile in their new homes.

There are the people who were part of previous administrations, business or media circles who held high-profile positions before the city returned to Chinese control and have never really accepted their loss of status since then.

Then there is the determination of some foreign governments and their allies to hobble China’s economic development and peaceful return to its former prominence.

These groups interact in front of the international media, which is always keen to report on a controversy. A former politician will make a dramatic claim to have escaped from Hong Kong to avoid persecution, a former bigwig will lend support and the administration concerned will arrange a photo op with a senior figure to give everyone some free publicity. Everybody wins.

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It is even better if the Hong Kong authorities give in to the urge to issue an intemperate response, then the whole merry-go-round can complete the circle again. How can we diminish the vicious narrative cycle about the city and tell the whole world about how things are here?

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