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Hong Kong’s economy is built on its (arguably at least economically) exploitative relationship with China. More improbable even than the successful implementati

Hong Kong’s economy is built on its (arguably at least economically) exploitative relationship with China. More improbable even than the successful implementation of a relocation plan (to N. Ireland, Tsushima Island, or whatever) is that China would allow this new Hong Kong to have any economic relationship with the Mainland. It has factored in the economic cost already, and has decided that the tradeoff of having a free and democratic Chinese city is too much. As Chip Tsao said on television recently,⁰ the Zhongnanhai is using ‘bottom line thinking’—they have decided they can do without a window on the West, and so will neither act to save the other one nor allow the creation of a new one. 0. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtom_T9-g08 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtom_T9-g08

sunstone 6y ago
If Reunion and Mauritius can make a go of things in the middle of nowhere I'm pretty sure the people of Hong Kong can do equally as well, with or without China. However, having a reliable rule of law would be the big advantage that Hong Hong can bring to the table as no one, not even mainland Chinese, trust the legal system of China. Particularly this matters in the finance sector where Hong Kong has plenty of expertise but it requires a solid legal foundation which Hong Kong now lacks. This can't be done overnight but Hong Kong should certainly start making a plan B. It's the only way they can expect to keep Beijing at bay.