The Washington Post is in no position to cast stones at Hong Kong. While the almighty USA is in tatters with its leader Donald Trump sending the national guard to restore law and order in key cities, the Post maintains Hong Kong “is no longer an open, freewheeling city it once was.”
The paper’s editorial board posted on September 19 that investors were staying away from Hong Kong, journalists were being routinely denied entry visas, and western tourists were advised not to travel to the city or face arbitrary arrest under the national security law.
Scary stuff from the country’s foremost newspaper that carries tremendous clout in the corridors of power. But it’s all untrue, fake news. It may still be an authoritative newspaper in the eyes of a naive local population, but to the international community it has lost all credibility.
In the latest World Population Review, Hong Kong was placed fourth in the world for net inflows of foreign investments. It is estimated that the total foreign investment in 2024 brought to Hong Kong's economy exceeds more than HK$67.7 billion, which also represents a record high and a nearly 10 per cent increase compared to 2023. These companies expected to create 6,864 job opportunities in Hong Kong during their first year of operation, an over 67 per cent increase compared to 2023. That’s hardly investors staying away as claimed by the Post.
The Post complained about journalists being routinely denied visas to Hong Kong. There was only one case this year and another in 2018. And the reasons could be multiple, including having a criminal record, reporting that incites hatred etc. One case this year does not imply “routinely denied.” Hong Kong enjoys being host to about 70 foreign news organizations with Bloomberg alone employing several hundred manning its financial and news desks. In the almighty US, all media covering the Pentagon for example – local and foreign – must submit all articles to the newly named Department of War for approval before publication. So much for freedom of the press and expression with the media continualy being harassed by the president and his cronies.
The focus of the Post’s editorial was Jimmy Lai and the national security law.
It claimed that Lai was facing “manufactured charges of sedition” and that it was “a foregone conclusion that he’ll be found guilty.” How dare they suggest that Hong Kong “manufactures” criminal charges. The Post has made a groundless accusation without providing any evidence. Obviously, it has not done its homework, nor checked its facts, a prerequisite of any publication, especially when an editorial board of the Post’s reputation is headed by extremely experienced journalists. It’s unfathomable.
Hong Kong is a fair and just city. According to the 2024 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, Hong Kong ranked sixth in East Asia and the Pacific and was placed 23rd out of 142 countries and jurisdictions globally. The almighty US was three points lower at 26. In other words, Hong Kong is better placed in maintaining the rule of law than the US.
And, according to the Post it’s a “foregone conclusion [Jimmy Lai] will be found guilty.” Again, how dare they. In Hong Kong a person is innocent until found guilty. It is not a “foregone conclusion.” The Jimmy Lai trial for sedition and colluding with foreign forces lasted for 156 days during which ample evidence for and against was presented to a panel of three judges. They are currently weighing up that evidence and will present their findings in due course. Only then will Lai and the public know his fate. There is no “foregone conclusion.” By making this statement, the Post’s editorial board is accusing the Hong Kong courts of bias. They owe the Hong Kong judiciary an apology for the accusation.
The paper concluded its editorial that it was up to “China’s communist rulers in Beijing” to decide if Lai is to be ever released from jail. Poppycock! The trial of Jimmy Lai has nothing to do with Beijing, as implied by the Post. Lai was arrested in Hong Kong, charged for alleged crimes committed in Hong Kong, and tried in Hong Kong.
It is a pity that an upstanding publication such as the Washington Post should tarnish its reputation by publishing a story with such bias that is harmful to Hong Kong without checking the facts.
Mark Pinkstone
** 博客文章文責自負,不代表本公司立場 **
The Chief Executive’s, John Lee Ka-chiu, annual policy address painted a bright future for Hong Kong with his opening remarks concentrating on the Northern Metropolis development and advancement of artificial intelligence (AI).
His address was very bullish despite the world being in a state of turmoil due to the on-off-on policies of the US administration. But undaunted, Lee closed his speech with “the Pearl of the Orient will keep shining brighter than ever before.”
Hong Kong has achieved many accolades for its accomplishments in 2024 and Lee is determined that the city will not sit on its laurels and will move forward with even more ambitious plans for the years ahead.
In his eyes the future for Hong Kong lies in artificial intelligence which will come with the development of the Northen Metropolis along the boundary with Shenzhen. He appears to have been concerned by the progress of the development and has set up a series of initiatives to speed up progress. The plan is massive with the land area and planned population intake accounting for about one-third of Hong Kong’s total.
He plans to set up a working group on devising development and operation models, and another on planning and construction of the proposed university town in Hung Shui Kiu (near Yuen Long) next year. Another site available will be in Ngau Tam Mei in 2028 which can dovetail with the overall I&T development of the San Tin Technopole and life and health technology industries. It will also be used for joint development with a third medical school and an integrated medical teaching and research hospital.
The overall project will be under a committee on development of the Northern Metropolis chaired personally by the CE while the two working groups will be led by the Financial Secretary, the Chief Secretary for Administration respectively. A third working group on planning and development will be led by the Deputy Financial Secretary.
He also plans to remove barriers and ease restrictions to streamline administrative procedures by introducing a fast track processing system and implementing a phased development approach. This will include pilot low-density facilities, such as retail, entertainment and convention and exhibition facilities to be developed initially to attract businesses, by bringing income to the area to create momentum before long-term development is rolled out.
Straddling the Shenzhen River (the boundary between Hong Kong and the mainland) is the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone comprising the Shenzhen Park and the Hong Kong Park. The two parks will promote collaboration in the development of I&T. Three buildings in the Hong Kong Park have been completed and tenants from life and health technology, microelectronics, new energy, AI and other pillar industries are gradually moving in.
Lee said that AI is the key driving force of a new round of scientific and technological revolution, as well as industrial transformation. “With our advantages in scientific research, capital, data and talent, together with abundant use cases, Hong Kong is poised to become a global hub for AI development,” he said.
The government has earmarked HK$1 billion for the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development (R&D) Institute in 2026, to facilitate upstream AI R&D. Earlier, the Government launched the $3 billion Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme which will help fund universities to attract international top-notch scientific researchers in AI.
Lee highlighted the many advantages of AI as well as its efforts to nurture local and attract overseas and Mainland AI professionals. These include setting up the AIR@InnoHK research cluster that has pooled over a thousand experts. And, combined with nearly a thousand AI companies that have gathered in our I&T parks, this helps enhance our AI R&D capabilities and lay the foundations for wide-ranging AI applications.
AI is everywhere in today’s modern world and to further enhance the efficacy of the Government, he has set up an AI Efficacy Enhancement Team to coordinate and steer government departments to apply AI technology effectively to their work and promote technological reform in departments to improve efficacy.
The CE’s address was long (two hours and 40-minutes) and very detailed but covered every aspect of life in Hong Kong. It was all good news and when all policies are implemented Hong Kong will maintain its position on the top rung of superlatives.
