Western media eager to call time on Hong Kong in 1997 focused solely on the city’s political prospects and ignored its economic strength.Although Hong Kong has retained its edge over the past 25 years, a doomsday narrative persists, one that the incoming administration must work hard to quell.
Beijing approved a reinterpretation of Basic Law provisions in a move which overturns a Court of Final Appeal ruling and revokes the right of abode for more than 1.4 million mainland residents.
Hong Kong’s legislature blocked the government’s electoral reform plan as a historic showdown between pan-democrats and Beijing loyalists became a farce.
Hong Kong’s newly elected legislature descended into open war with localists brandishing “Hong Kong is not China” banners at their swearing- in ceremony, while a pro-establishment stalwart was elected president after being taken to task over his British nationality.
As more officers from the disciplined services take up key leadership posts, there’s talk the Administrative Service – a legacy of British rule – may fade in importance. The opposite is true: administrative officers’ expertise in various fields, command of detail and loyalty to the system are still much appreciated.