STEPHEN BRADLEY: HONG KONG NOT IN THE SAME LEAGUE AS LONDON TOWNE

STEPHEN BRADLEY: HONG KONG NOT IN THE SAME LEAGUE AS LONDON TOWNE

IS THAT A GOOD OR A BAD THING?

STEPHEN BRADLEY, FORMER CONSUL-GENERAL TO HONG KONG'S SPEECH HERE

I think Hong Kong as the London of Asia is an appealing and not incredible future to aim for. Donald’s main worry appears to be, that the population is not big enough and that people are not having enough babies. The replacement rate is the world’s lowest. In a slightly Singaporean moment some months ago he got on his soapbox to urge his fellow citizens not to hold back on the necessary activity, as it were. Others have floated the idea of merging with Shenzhen: but this is hard to see in advance of 2047.

My own personal doubt about his vision is precisely its very focused, rather narrow nature. In fact, what makes London and New York the greatest cities in the world is not just the money – though that is the great magnet that attracts everything else. The greatness of a city lies in its cultural openness and diversity – like Tang Chang’an, for instance – and on this count I am afraid Hong Kong simply is not remotely yet in the same league. Hong Kong is still an overwhelmingly Chinese city (97%), with a sprinkling of foreigners, like the hundreds and thousands you throw on a cake. Much more could and must be done in the cultural sphere, as well, to enrich and diversify Hong Kong’s creative and intellectual life.