Hong Kong’s governance fairs “OK” in UK report

Mark Pinkstone/Former Chief Information Officer of HK government

When the “Question of Hong Kong” was raised in the mid-‘70s, Chinese paramount leader Deng Xiaoping came up with the “one country-two systems” concept. The world scoffed at the idea. How could a rip-roaring capitalist regime survive in a communist country?

Forty-one years after the signing of the Joint Declaration (which became the blueprint for Hong Kong’s future) in 1984 between the UK and China, the British government has virtually said that China has kept it’s promise that Hong Kong’s way of life would continue after 1997 as it was beforehand. While not openly applauding Hong Kong’s governance, nor was it openly critical, except for national security issues, the report was fairly balanced.

The 37-page report, a requirement stipulated by the parliament for the UK Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to submit six monthly reports on Hong Kong, could find little fault with the governance of Hong Kong.

The report reflected views of dissident groups without comment and drew attention to the Court of Final Appeal cases in favor of the plaintiffs. This should be seen as proof of a fair and trust-worthy legal system in Hong Kong.

However, it noted that since March 2021, and following the imposition of the 2020 National Security Law (NSL), the UK has declared China to be in a state of ongoing non-compliance with the Sino British Joint Declaration. But added: “The judicial system in place prior to the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR continued to be maintained in general. The prosecuting authority in Hong Kong remained within the Department of Justice. The courts continued to exercise independent judicial power, decide cases in accordance with the laws of the Hong Kong SAR and refer to precedents in other common law jurisdictions.”

The report was bullish about Hong Kong’s finances, its economy and monetary system, noting the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of the World 2024 annual report rated Hong Kong as the freest economy out of 165 jurisdictions. It also recognized the positive aspects of Hong Kong’s shipping, civil aviation, education and trade.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy drew attention to the plight of 45 activists imprisoned for sedition, collusion with foreign governments, rioting and other national security charges. And that the trial of media mogul Jimmy Lai was “politically motivated”.

He also lamented on the arrest warrants by Hong Kong police on a number of individuals living in the UK. “The Prime Minister and I have met these individuals and heard about the wider chilling effect that transnational repression is having on the Hong Kong diaspora.” he said.

The issuance of international warrants for arrest are not uncommon. The UK National Criminal Agency (NCA) pleads: “We pursue wanted fugitives all around the world …” It is currently hunting 24 men wanted for various crimes in the UK, adding that there is a bounty out for a Russian national worth US$10 million (HK$78 million).

So, what is Lammy moaning about? He listens to people who have grievances, without checking the backgrounds of the individuals. He forgets Hong Kong was subjected to severe riots in 2019-20 when people were killed, the city was set alight, shops were ransacked and looted, people were threatened and living in fear, and mayhem was the order of the day. And while this was going on, political pundits were going around the world seeking sanctions against Hong Kong and drumming up support for Hong Kong’s independence. People and world leaders get jailed for that. Attempting to overthrow a government is a crime, not political persecution.

The Hong Kong SAR Government is naturally upset about the report saying it absolutely refutes the untruthful remarks, slanders and smears against various aspects of the report, which was compiled by the Hong Kong department in the FCO. Daily reports are submitted to the office by the UK Consulate General in Hong Kong.

Lammy and others in the west, often refer to the “Beijing-imposed” national security laws in Hong Kong as if it is something sinister. It is not! Beijing is the federal capital of Hong Kong, as is London in the UK, Washington in the US and Canberra in Australia. The NSL implementation was a natural reaction to a disastrous situation. Hong Kong was spinning out of control, spurred on by foreign forces, but contained by a very efficient and resourceful police force. Hong Kong needed a legal framework to deal with the dissidents.

Mark Pinkstone

** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **

Mark Pinkstone/Former Chief Information Officer of HK government

Tina Turner’s signature song “Simply the Best,” was used by the Hong Kong Tourism Board some years ago to identify the attributes of Hong Kong, known as the Pearl of the Orient. Today, about 40 years later, it’s still true.

International leisure magazine Time Out has lauded Hong Kong as having the world’s best public transport system world-wide, a view shared by international transport publication Infra journal (published in Milan, Italy) which headlined a story “A world class leader in public transit: here is the Hong Kong model.”

But transport is not our only top ranker in the world economies. Hong Kong was first in Asia as a Global Financial Centre and maintained its placing as third in global rankings in the index. And as far as our prophets of doom are concerned, Hong Kong ranks high in the rule of law index, even surpassing the US.

Yes, we are simply the best and doing better day by day. Hong Kong has a remarkable “can-do” spirit and is always willing to face adversaries head-on. The Steve Roaches (former Asian chairman of JP Morgan) of the world who keep reciting the death of Hong Kong, have kept their heads in the sand during their tenure in the city. They have learned nothing about the resilience of its people. At times we might be down, but never out.

In the rule of law index, Hong Kong was placed 23rd out of 142 jurisdictions, one point above the US. A Hong Kong SAR government said at the time that the city remained high in the overall ranking and continued to be ahead of some European and American countries which “often unreasonably criticise Hong Kong’s rule of law and human rights situation. Hong Kong’s score in respect of Absence of Corruption was higher than the previous year, ranking 10th globally, showing that it remains one of the most corruption-free places in the world.

Hong Kong has long been recognised as the financial hub of Asia and well placed in global rankings. The Global Financial Centres Index assessing some 119 financial centres around the world, picked Hong Kong third globally. A government spokesman said the report recognises Hong Kong’s leading status and strengths as an international trading centre. Hong Kong’s ranking for human capital, infrastructure and financial sector development rose to second in the world while business environment and reputational and general rose to third globally.

As far as public transport is concerned, Hong Kong is second to none. Hong Kong claimed top spot in Time Out magazine’s survey of 18,500 interviews globally. Shanghai was second and Beijing third. Asian cities claimed nine of the 19 spots world-wide. The US didn’t make the grade.
Infra magazine said that in many cities, transport planners dream of a future when most people prefer to use public rather than drive a car. In Hong Kong, the future arrived early.

“Hong Kong’s leadership in public transit is the outcome of government policies, multimodal investments, meticulous planning and a rail plus property business model which foster and sustains high levels of transit usage.” the magazine said, noting that 80 per cent of Hong Kong residents use public transport.

The magazine marvelled at the MTR’s rail plus property model which allows the corporation to build a world-class transit system and operate a self-sustaining entity, unlike most cities where public transport systems require government subsidies. The success of the MTRC has been recognised world-wide. Its expertise and its corporation model now extends beyond Hong Kong with railway-related projects and operations in the mainland, (including lines in Beijing, Shenzhen, Hangzhou), Macao, the United Kingdom (the Elizabeth Line in London), Sweden’s Stockholm Metro, Melbourne and the Sydney Metro North West Line in Australia.

Yes, Hong Kong is a city that never sleeps. The lights in the business commercial district burn relentlessly 24 hours day and the bus services run throughout the day and night taking commuters to their workplace to keep the cogs of Hong Kong churning.
This is how Hong Kong maintains its status as a world-class city.