Ninety legislators will be sworn into office this week, 35 of whom will be taking the oath of office for the first time. It will be a combined act of patriotism, a far cry from the swearing in ceremony in 2016 when four potential lawmakers created their own oaths advocating self-determination and were subsequently disqualified from office.
The western media, including some in Hong Kong, brand “patriotism” as a bad thing for Hong Kong, inferring that there is no “opposition” in the legislature. But they are wrong. The legislators have their own mind and will vote according to their conscience.
Four pieces of legislation proposed by the government have not passed the test and were voted out while many others were heavily debated by the legislators. Regardless of what London’s Guardian newspaper and others say, Hong Kong does have a meaningful opposition.
It is unfortunate that the local Democratic Party, seen by the west as the “opposition,” did not field any candidates in the recent elections and eventually closed down. The choice was theirs and their recent actions indicate they did not intend to follow the rules of the council.
The Legislative Council is a place where lawmakers are elected to serve the people, not to use it as a platform for subversion as had happened in the past.
In 2017 four lawmakers – Long Hair Leung Kwok-hung, Nathan Law, Lau Siu-lai and Edward Yiu – were stripped of their seats for failing to take their oaths of office in a “sincere and solemn” manner. They used props and amended the oath to suit their purpose. Others followed, including student Agnes Chow who also failed taking the oath of office but later jailed on subversion charges. The quartet’s disqualification followed the highly publicized ousting of two localist lawmakers, Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching, whose oath-takings involved anti-China banners and usage of derogatory wartime slurs for China.
Together, the quartet had mustered 185,727 votes in the 2016 elections and their selfishness left their followers void of leadership. Their actions were that of self-interest, to achieve their own hidden goals, and not to serve the people who put them in the seats of power. They abused their positions.
Obviously foreign forces had infiltrated the legislature and political unrest ensued as attempts were being made to unseat the base of Hong Kong’s parliament. In July 2020 the government announced that the nominations for 15 candidates were declared invalid due to their objection to the national security law or were sincere in statements involving separatism. And on November 11, 2020, Dennis Kwok, a founding member of the Civic Party and a representative of the legal profession in the council, was accused of delaying the legislative proceedings and passage of bills and was subsequently disqualified along with follow lawmakers Alvin Yeung, Kwok Ka-ki and Kenneth Leung. Just hours later 15 fellow lawmakers resigned in protest.
Kwok was later charged with collusion and fled to Canada and then to the US with a HK$1 million bounty on his head.
The festering germ of dissent even spread to the local district councils who also used their positions to undermine the government.
It had to stop and in March 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (SCNPC) approved changes to the Hong Kong’s electoral system allowing only patriots to serve the government and the people of Hong Kong.
What publications like Hong Kong Free Press, The Washington Post, London’s Financial Times etc. don’t understand is that Hong Kong is a target by the five-eyes network of spies and clandestine operators, led by the US and including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. The ultimate target is, of course, China. By crippling Hong Kong and especially its law-making process, it can cripple China and hamper its progressive growth.
These publications will continue to use Hong Kong “Patriots only” legislature as a slur, not as a compliment. It’s in their DNA to be anti-Hong Kong/China. They are the vehicles of the west to bring discord to Hong Kong with total disregard to fact.
But “patriots only” apply to every democracy in the world. No place could be more patriotic than the US where the stars and stripes (the US flag) hang from the porches of almost every household. And legislators in all democracies have to swear allegiances to the country and their constitution. And like Hong Kong, they are vetted to ensure their allegiances are true to the country before standing for election.
Mark Pinkstone
** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **
In his 2025 policy address, Chief Executive (CE) John Lee has turned a recreational/sporting activity into an industry to strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a key player in Asia’s development.
“With 1 180 kilometres of shoreline and 263 islands, Hong Kong is well-positioned to become a yacht hub in Asia. We will enhance amenities for the yacht industry and promote prime yacht tourism,” he declared.
This direction deserves strong public support. A well‑developed yacht economy is not a niche concern for a small number of owners, but rather a high value‑added ecosystem that creates jobs in tourism, hospitality, marine services, finance, insurance, legal, training and events. When a large yacht berths in a city, it brings not only crew salaries and maintenance spending, but also hotel nights, restaurant business, luxury retail and demand for professional services. Industry estimates suggest a single large visiting yacht can generate over HK$100,000 per day in local economic activity through berthing, fuelling, provisioning, dining, retail and entertainment.
Hong Kong is well poised to achieve the CE’s goal. Already there are 12,323 pleasure boats in Hong Kong moored in nine marinas or clubs. Another four marinas, offering about 1000 berths, are in the planning stage.
The largest of these new marinas is at the new airport extension known as Skytopia which will offer 500 berths followed by one at Aberdeen, Hung Hom and Lamma with each providing about 200 berths.
But berths alone will not make Hong Kong a true yacht hub. Owners and captains make decisions based on the whole experience: ease of entry and clearance procedures, quality of marinas and repair services, shore‑side facilities for guests, and the overall attractiveness of the destination. If we provide the berths but not the supporting ecosystem, yachts will still choose to base themselves in other Asian ports and only visit Hong Kong briefly, or not at all.
Hong Kong also has the second highest number of superyacht ownership after Australia in the Asia-Pacific region. Australia accounts for 146 superyachts while Hong Kong has 92. Superyachts, super floating hotels exceeding 30 metres in length, are big business for the rich and famous, such as movie star Jackie Chan’s 46 metre (150-foot) JinLong 4601. Currently up for sale in Aberdeen is the 30.23 metre (90.2 foot) Riva Yacht 102 Corsaro for Euro 11,000,000 (HK$100,855,000).
The industry is huge and worth billions. Besides the boats themselves, there is a multitude of ancillary services such as ship building and sail making, electrical and mechanical engineers, cleansing services to clear the hulls of barnacles, catering services to replenish the superyachts, chandlers, etc. The industry also provides for the welfare of hundreds of coxswains and boat boys, many of whom sleep on the boats to maintain the security of the vessels.
Hong Kong is the place where there could be plenty of buyers. According to the latest 2024 Billionaire Census report from Forbes, Hong Kong maintains its position as the second city in the world, after New York, with the highest number of billionaires housing 107 ultra-wealthy individuals.
Positioning itself on the world stage, Hong Kong will host its 26th International Boat Show in December at Marina Cove. It is Hong Kong’s most prestigious and longest serving platform for boat buyers and dealers in the Asia-Pacific Region.
To make the event the international showcase for the best and latest boats, the organisers have lined up a spectacular display of the world’s most famous brands. With boats from Italy, France, Britain, Poland, Finland, USA and China, as well as accessories, engines and equipment, water sports gear and wear etc., visitors will be able to view everything in boating in this four-day event.
As a marketplace for multi-million superyachts, racing yachts, plain sailing yachts and other boats, the government’s willingness to engage with industry stakeholders signals a growing recognition of the economic and tourism potential of Hong Kong’s maritime sector. Moving forward, policy reforms and infrastructure investments will determine the city’s role in the regional yachting market. If implemented successfully, these initiatives could make Hong Kong a premier superyacht hub in Asia.
The yacht market in the city is flourishing, driven by the region`s affluent population and a growing interest in recreational boating. Hong Kong`s strategic location as a maritime hub facilitates yacht manufacturing, sales, and services, making it a prominent player in the Asia-Pacific yacht market. The increasing popularity of luxury yachts and the rising number of boat enthusiasts are propelling demand in the sector. Additionally, the development of marina facilities and recreational areas is enhancing the overall yachting experience. As environmental sustainability becomes a key focus, manufacturers are exploring eco-friendly technologies and designs in yacht production, further shaping the market`s future.
Some worry that more marinas and yacht facilities in neighbouring Greater Bay Area (GBA) cities will draw business away from Hong Kong. However, with careful planning this relationship can be complementary.
Hong Kong can serve as the command-and-control centre – the place where yachts are owned, registered, financed, insured and managed – while GBA ports provide additional cruising grounds, home berths and repair yards. With streamlined cross‑boundary schemes, a yacht can be managed and serviced in Hong Kong while enjoying the full range of GBA destinations, from island anchorages to entertainment hubs.
The yacht market in Hong Kong is thriving, bolstered by the city’s status as a luxury lifestyle hub. The government’s efforts to promote maritime tourism and enhance marina facilities are pivotal in supporting this market. Policies aimed at attracting foreign investment in the leisure marine industry, alongside initiatives to boost local tourism, will contribute to the growth of yacht ownership and associated services in Hong Kong.
