Hong Kong’s angry youth can find hope in innovation and entrepreneurship

Edward Tse says a chance of upward mobility through business may placate a young generation frustrated with the status quo, and they can learn from successful peers on the mainland

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Edward Tse

Published: 2:54pm, 14 Oct 2016Updated: 7:32pm, 14 Oct 2016

The mainland can become the platform for Hong Kong youth to become the world’s best in their own chosen area of focus. Illustration: Craig Stephens

It is no understatement to say that, over the past several years, Hong Kong’s youth have displayed increasing frustration. Occupy Central, riots at Lunar New Year, campaigns against parallel goods traders, the Hong Kong independence initiative, along with the controversy over the Wang Chau housing plan, clearly reflect the frustrations of our young generation.

So, what’s behind this? There is probably no single reason, but rather a variety of political, social and economic factors.

Hong Kong’s young people today live in a city that is very different from the one their parents grew up in. Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s was tough, but the city was growing and there were plenty of opportunities for young people. There was potential for upward mobility and young people working hard could build a better life for themselves.

Young protesters stand their ground in Mong Kok during the Occupy movement, on October 17, 2014. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

‘Little done to encourage Hong Kong’s young to be upwardly mobile’

However, today’s youngsters have it pretty hard. Hong Kong’s economic structure has become much more narrow. There are still some good jobs available offering upward mobility, such as in the top-end financial services sector, but our youth do not have any distinctive edge over mainland or overseas competitors.