When speaking to friends and family living overseas, I am increasingly asked “How is Hong Kong these days,” or even worse, “It must be difficult to live in Hong Kong, with all that is going on.” Unfortunately, the perception that people who live abroad have of Hong Kong is often far removed from reality. The reason for this is twofold: The Hong Kong government is very unprofessional and unsuccessful in telling the Hong Kong story, and as a result, others who intentionally aim to spread a false narrative are given all the room to do so and dominate media coverage which, as always, leans heavily towards negative reports.
No one mentions the phenomenal success (at least as compared to the so-called leading economies) the special administrative region has had in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. With the extremely high population density that Hong Kong has, and the very many large estate complexes with thousands living on top of each other in close proximity, this success is all the more remarkable. After more than a year we have only had over 11,330 cases and 203 fatalities: this out of a population of 7.4 million. We have also managed to achieve this without having to go through a total lockdown, unlike so many countries.
No one mentions the ease of life in Hong Kong: the amazingly efficient infrastructure, the fantastic public transport system, affordable taxis, the helpful and service oriented civil service (try replacing a lost ID card in another country!), and the strong work ethic of almost everyone. That we have an Independent Commission Against Corruption which not only uprooted serious corruption in Hong Kong but is rightly seen and used as an example for countries in Asia and beyond. And the narrative also forgets that we do have a robust independent judiciary, as well as a first-class police force quickly recovering from the recent scandalous attacks on both its people and its reputation.
All that one reads in the international press, and hears on foreign news programs, is the narrative told by supporters of the “Blackshirt movement”, who have fled Hong Kong to escape justice. The same people who were conspicuously silent when others who dared to express another opinion were physically attacked, even burnt alive, now talk about the lack of freedom of expression in Hong Kong. Their articles are published in leading newspapers, they appear on talk shows and they speak before parliamentary committees, complaining about limited freedom of expression and democracy. The irony is that if they were still really interested in our city, they would know that the local press is constantly full of articles that are highly critical not only of our Chief Executive, but of decisions taken in Beijing as well. Walking through our city one comes across people supporting movements banned in the rest of China, like the Falun Gong, as well as counterdemonstrators calling them an evil cult. Freedom of expression is clearly very much alive!
Nevertheless, the narrative they tell is that Hong Kong is increasingly a police state (go tell that to the police who were attacked with deadly weapons and their stations laid siege too!) in which rights are trampled upon every day. And this story is bought hook, line and sinker by all who listen, and is made easier without an active counternarrative.
As presented, the story seems to be supported by the lack of opposition parties in the Legislative Council. However, the tale conveniently forgets to mention that the so-called pan-democratic lawmakers all resigned voluntarily, abandoning their constituents of the representation they had chosen. The ones who have chosen to flee abroad are all too aware of the acts they have committed in breach of the National Security Law for Hong Kong. When they give interviews in the United Kingdom, France or Germany, they never mention the Basic Law, nor the obligation therein of introducing a local national security law, which Hong Kong neglected to do for 23 years (unlike our sister SAR, Macao). That this inaction was a major blunder with unspeakable consequences was proven during the many months of violent and destructive social unrest spearheaded by the Blackshirts. But of course, the extensive public and private properties they damaged and the violence they inflicted on innocent citizens, and foreign interference is never mentioned.
Sadly, the narrative always forgets to mention the fact that the vast majority of Hong Kong residents are relieved that the nightmare of seemingly never-ending extreme street violence and wanton destruction is over. Most Hong Kong residents simply want to get on with their lives and try to survive the current economic and health crisis. While many Hong Kongers like to grumble about the SAR government, this does not make them anti-China; it simply means they want to improve their daily lives and disagree on how best the government can help them to accomplish this.
It is high time that our government upgrades its public relations approach. The time to do that is now, because as slowly but surely the pandemic comes under control, and the economy picks up again, Hong Kong will be best served by being truly understood as a dynamic, vibrant city, where the rule of law thrives, medical facilities are first class, and where corruption is eliminated. A proactive public relations approach in which the National Security Law for Hong Kong is explained as something that was already mandated in the Basic Law since the Handover, and is focused on separatism, sedition and preventing foreign political interference, not unlike existing laws in many countries. Also helpful would be a professional, holistic and active public relations plan to explain the huge potential of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the crucial role that Hong Kong still has to play as the liaison between the West and China. The world needs to understand that Hong Kong is an integral part of China, and that the old sheen on the “Pearl of the Orient” is still there!
The author is a specialist in international public law, an adviser on China-related matters to both the private and public sectors, and was the first non-Chinese CEO of a Chinese State-owned finance company. He has lived in Hong Kong for over 18 years and is passionate about promoting the place which he now calls home.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.