Amr Elhenawy says if key parts of the Fanling course are converted to housing, HK will have abandoned its enviable global position
Earlier this year, John Lee Ka-chiu led a Hong Kong delegation to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. The Arab leaders who welcomed the delegation understood that Hong Kong not only offers unique access to the Chinese mainland market but has long been a world city, a key node in the global economic network.
In recent decades, the Gulf has seen the emergence of new cities deliberately designed to fill global roles. Dubai and Abu Dhabi were planned as prime venues for dealmakers, as prestige locations for tourists, and as sites for international newsmaking events. A similar project is underway to make Riyadh into a new power center, to brand it as a leader in the region and to extend its influence on the international stage.
Already, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are arguably the most cosmopolitan cities in the Middle East. They attract visitors from around the world and host increasing numbers of newsmaking events. They are emerging as important centers in global finance and trade.
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Their meteoric rise is not due to oil wealth alone. Their leadership had a clear-eyed understanding of the physical and cultural infrastructure that would be needed to develop arid desert land into globally important sites for business and finance.
Recognizing that they were in competition with established world cities that offer recreational and cultural activities attractive to global elites, they set out to create their own world-city lifestyle. They aimed to create their own brand to bring in wealth and talent and to promote their interests.
Geographically positioned between Europe and Asia, the Gulf cities concentrated on providing prestigious activities that would appeal to people from both continents. What game is played by Middle Eastern, Asian and European business elites and followed by audiences and enthusiasts of around 800 million worldwide?
There is only one answer: golf. And Gulf cities have invested heavily in developing world-class courses for internationally important golf championships.
At Fanling, Asia’s oldest course, we have one of the best-known venues in the golfing world. Golfers elsewhere can only envy its attractions as a championship site, its spectacular scenery, and its fabled history
The creation of such courses was a bold decision in lands where water (prior to desalination) had always been chronically short. Today, the UAE is home to several courses that host internationally important events. They include the DP World Tour Championship at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai and the HSBC Golf Championship at the Abu Dhabi Golf Course. Thousands come to watch the star players and the major events are broadcast to millions around the world.
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It is hard to overstate the commitment of the Gulf countries to golf. They see it as much more than a game. For them, it is an important part of their brand, a means to attract dealmakers from both East and West, and an arena in which they can exercise international influence. Those are the underlying reasons for Saudi Arabia’s bid for leadership of the golfing world with the LIV tour and for Aramco’s sponsorship of many annual global tournaments.
It would be a mistake, also, to think that golf is no more than a game for those of us here in Hong Kong. Golf produces tourist revenues, brings us international coverage, and is a key part of our global brand. Golf is a people-to-people activity and great soft power tool.
At Fanling, Asia’s oldest course, we have one of the best-known venues in the golfing world. Golfers elsewhere can only envy its attractions as a championship site, its spectacular scenery, and its fabled history.
Fanling and golf are part of Hong Kong’s heritage, key features of what the city is known for around the world. When the Hong Kong Open and other championships are played at Fanling, they are broadcast to over 100 countries and bring thousands of high-end tourists to the city. Yet Fanling, the only venue that can host mega golfing events, is now under threat.
If key parts of the course are converted to housing, Fanling will be unable to host the Hong Kong Open, the World City Championship, the Hong Kong Ladies Open, and the China National Games events in 2025. Essentially, Hong Kong will have abandoned its enviable global position to aspirant golfing powers.
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The chief executive’s visit to the UAE and Riyadh recognized Hong Kong’s need for closer economic, financial and political relationships with the region. It is well understood by all diplomats that such relationships are best built on cultural understanding and people-to-people exchanges. There was, therefore, every reason to celebrate the announcement in Riyadh of an Aramco-sponsored golf event to be held at Fanling.
Sadly, Aramco has recently noted that the proposed curtailment of Fanling could potentially prevent this event being held in Hong Kong.
World-class cities need big events. They need lifestyles that bring business and recreation together. They must attract talent and wealth. They must win the minds and hearts of people around the world.
The author is former consul general of Egypt to the Hong Kong and Macao SARs.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.