6 ms·

Hong Kong seems an odd choice. Or at least a short sighted choice. Right now its an ok place to operate but given the slow erosion of Hong Kong's independence w

Hong Kong seems an odd choice. Or at least a short sighted choice. Right now its an ok place to operate but given the slow erosion of Hong Kong's independence will it still be in 1 year? 5 years?

judge2020 8y ago
The treaty that gives Hong Kong its independence (but still being called China) is the Sino-British Joint Declaration [1], which grants independence for 50 years, until 2047. this was also a thing for Macau [2] 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-British_Joint_Declaration https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-British_Joint_Declaration 2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Declaration_on_the_Question_of_Macau https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Declaration_on_the_Quest...
- saagarjha 8y ago
  Without much knowledge of the geopolitical landscape, how does this treaty stop China from invading Hong Kong? Presumably they’d face some consequences from the rest of the world, but would it be worth it?
  - j16sdiz 8y ago
    Nothing. In fact, the Foreign Ministry have delined it have any practical meaning and "the document no longer binds China": https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-anniversary-china/china-says-sino-british-joint-declaration-on-hong-kong-no-longer-has-meaning-idUSKBN19L1J1 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-anniversary-chin...
  - est 8y ago
    China has to invade Hong Kong? The PLA already has a permanent base there, with ground troops and a substancial helicopter squad.
- NeedMoreTea 8y ago
  China started chipping away at that agreement almost immediately. At first Beijing "just" restricted the continuing progress toward democracy. They'd promised to leave that to HK. Now they're much more active about it, intervening in law, freedom of press, day to day administration, the make up of the legislature, etc. Then there's the kidnappings of booksellers and publishers, and continual pro Beijing immigration. Seems right to be very wary of any promises writ there.
- robjan 8y ago
  This is the law in theory however, China has stated that the declaration is a "historical document that no longer has any realistic meaning" [1] 1: https://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2100779/sino-british-joint-declaration-hong-kong-no-longer-has-any https://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2100779/s...
- Proven 8y ago
  LOL
stock_toaster 8y ago
Agreed. Seems like Singapore or Taipei would be a better option. Would be interesting to read the reasoning behind their location choice. Maybe some employees already lived there?

Hong Kong seems an odd choice. Or at least a short sighted choice. Right now its an ok place to operate but given the slow erosion of Hong Kong's independence will it still be in 1 year? 5 years?

judge2020 8y ago

The treaty that gives Hong Kong its independence (but still being called China) is the Sino-British Joint Declaration [1], which grants independence for 50 years, until 2047. this was also a thing for Macau [2] 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-British_Joint_Declaration https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-British_Joint_Declaration 2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Declaration_on_the_Question_of_Macau https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Declaration_on_the_Quest...

saagarjha 8y ago
Without much knowledge of the geopolitical landscape, how does this treaty stop China from invading Hong Kong? Presumably they’d face some consequences from the rest of the world, but would it be worth it?
- j16sdiz 8y ago
  Nothing. In fact, the Foreign Ministry have delined it have any practical meaning and "the document no longer binds China": https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-anniversary-china/china-says-sino-british-joint-declaration-on-hong-kong-no-longer-has-meaning-idUSKBN19L1J1 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-anniversary-chin...
- est 8y ago
  China has to invade Hong Kong? The PLA already has a permanent base there, with ground troops and a substancial helicopter squad.
NeedMoreTea 8y ago
China started chipping away at that agreement almost immediately. At first Beijing "just" restricted the continuing progress toward democracy. They'd promised to leave that to HK. Now they're much more active about it, intervening in law, freedom of press, day to day administration, the make up of the legislature, etc. Then there's the kidnappings of booksellers and publishers, and continual pro Beijing immigration. Seems right to be very wary of any promises writ there.
robjan 8y ago
This is the law in theory however, China has stated that the declaration is a "historical document that no longer has any realistic meaning" [1] 1: https://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2100779/sino-british-joint-declaration-hong-kong-no-longer-has-any https://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2100779/s...
Proven 8y ago
LOL

stock_toaster 8y ago

Agreed. Seems like Singapore or Taipei would be a better option. Would be interesting to read the reasoning behind their location choice. Maybe some employees already lived there?