Hong Kong Today

For many years, our home, Hong Kong has been one of the most important economies in Asia. It is because the geographical location of Hong Kong allows excellent communication all over the world and favours business to boost.

In the past, Hong Kong was just a small fishing port. Through years of industrial and commercial development, Hong Kong has become a flourishing international financial centre. In the 21st century, Hong Kong has transformed into a knowledge-based economy with advanced science and technology. However, disharmony gradually and continually develops in the community. In order to enhance collaboration with the Mainland China, the HKSAR government has lately overspent 20 billion dollars to construct the Guangzhou-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, which has aroused wide resentment from the general public. This has eventually progressed to disputes and demonstrations in society. Most of the demonstrators think that the construction, which fails to benefit the majority of society, is not worth huge investment with public funds.

On the other hand, in Hong Kong, education is of high value. Students are the pillars of the future. The HKSAR government has implemented reforms of the educational system unceasingly, such as Twelve-year Free Education, 3-3-4 Scheme, etc. One of the recent hot topics is about the scrapping of TSA (Territory-wide System Assessment). Concerned parents have reflected their worries to the Education Bureau many times. The Coordinating Committee reviewed and decided to adjust the level of difficulty of the test accordingly. Even though the Education Bureau claimed to understand the difficulties faced by students and that topics assessed in TSA are closely linked to the daily lives of candidates, parents are unconvinced that the policy is effective.

        Hong Kong is a densely populated city with a population of more than 7 million. It also is a fast-paced city. While Hong Kongers aspire high quality life, the HKSAR government has implemented a series of economic policies and social welfares. In terms of population, the number of visitors is limited by adopting the policy of One-trip-per-week for Chinese people. In terms of housing, land supply is increased by selling more state lands to developers. In terms of social welfares, Old Age Allowance is established to serve as a universal retirement protection scheme for the elderly. Meanwhile, different stakeholders hold different opinions. There is growing socio-political participation, through which citizens express their opinions, or more precisely, dissatisfaction. Citizens are worried if the Mainland China would intervene Hong Kong and if justice could not be maintained in Hong Kong.

Since the 1997 handover, the Mainland China is obligated to execute the "Basic Law", "One Country, Two Systems", "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong”, as well as the principle of "a high degree of autonomy". However, the PRC Central Government government increasingly exerts its influence on Hong Kong affairs. The media even revealed the Chinese law enforcement agencies enforced laws in Hong Kong, putting “One Country, Two Systems” at risk.

Day after day, the international status of Hong Kong rises. But, at the same time, the quality of life of citizens seems to decline. Will the new administration be better or not? This remains a doubt.