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Cliff Buddle

The staging of one “mega event” every two days in the second half of the year is intended to bring visitors flocking to Hong Kong, boosting the economy, creating a buzz and sending the message the city is back.
A wide variety of events is planned, from cultural festivals to sports competitions, conferences, exhibitions and financial summits.
Some are more “mega” than others and the hosting of so many might weaken the “mega” brand. But the government is, at least, trying to put the city back on the map.
The question of Hong Kong’s status continues to generate intense debate as it seeks to move on from five turbulent and transformative years of protests, pandemic and political change.
Residents will have their own views on whether the city is back. I was among those who departed, in August 2022, after 28 years.
But the rebuilding of an international reputation is all about perception. Hong Kong will only be back when the world believes that to be the case. There is still much work to be done.
Where is Hong Kong trying to bounce back from? Opinions will differ on the lowest point in the city’s recent history.
For me, it was March 2022, when after two years of tough travel curbs and social distancing restrictions, Covid-19 spread rapidly, hospitals overflowed and the death toll mounted.
There were plans for mandatory mass testing and new quarantine facilities were being built. The city was isolated from the rest of the world. It was a miserable time.
Thankfully, those days are long gone. In that sense, the return of tourists and hosting of international events, both sadly missed during the pandemic, signal Hong Kong is back.
But it is not just the response to Covid-19 that altered perceptions overseas. Months of civil unrest in 2019 undermined the city’s reputation for being safe and orderly. Peace has since been restored.
This, however, came at a cost. Beijing’s backlash – a sweeping national security law, the arrests that followed and political reforms excluding all but “patriots” – has, for many, created a negative image, especially in the West.
Where does Hong Kong want to get back to? Some reminisce about 2018, before the troubles began. Others might go back further.
Ten years ago, the hot topic was democratic reform. A public consultation had just concluded on plans for the chief executive to be elected by universal suffrage in 2017. How times have changed. Those heady days are unlikely to return.
Hong Kong is now following a different path as it battles to recover from the lasting economic and psychological impact of recent years.
There will be more integration with mainland China as the city develops its role within the Greater Bay Area. The overwhelming majority of professionals, students and tourists arriving in the city are from across the border.
Hong Kong aims to become a hub of hubs, an international centre not just for finance, but also culture, legal services, technology, medicine and education. It has been designated China’s “superconnector” with the world.
To play that role effectively the city needs to change negative perceptions overseas. This will involve much more than “telling good stories about Hong Kong”.
The mega events will help draw people to the city so they can see it for themselves. But efforts must be made to also reach out to critics in the West rather than bombarding them with fiery mainland-style rhetoric.
Success will depend as much on what Hong Kong does as what it says. Suggestions of a softer approach following the passing of domestic security laws in March, are therefore encouraging. Switching the focus from national security to economic recovery would help.
Is Hong Kong back? It never went away. After all it has endured, the city still has so much to offer. But success will depend on convincing the world it remains a special part of China, very different to the mainland, and retains some of the free and freewheeling spirit of the past.


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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong will only be back when the world believes that it is

Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront is packed with people watching a drone performance . Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Glittering array of new Hong Kong events lined up as city bids to revitalise economy and boost tourism

A dress designed by top Chinese couturier Guo Pei, whose work will feature in a special exhibition later this year. Photo: EPA

World-famous architect IM Pei at his landmark glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Photo: AP

The late lyricist James Wong, whose work will be honoured with a special exhibition in July. Photo: SCMP

The World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship will be held in the city for the first time later this year. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

The Hong Kong Palace Museum, the venue for a September exhibition to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Photo: Nora Tam

Hi-tech tourism hub? Hong Kong’s taxis don’t even take card payments

Passengers board taxis at Paterson Street, in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, on May 7. Photo: Sam Tsang

The smart “CabCab” meter is demonstrated at the press conference launch, at the Hong Kong Productivity Council in Kowloon Tong, on January 31. Photo: May Tse

The Didi Chuxing app has become ubiquitous on the mainland. Photo: Bloomberg

Opinion

Mega events will help draw people here. But efforts must also be made to reach out to Western critics rather than bombarding them with rhetoric


Mega events will help draw people here. But efforts must also be made to reach out to Western critics rather than bombarding them with rhetoric.


My Take

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

My Take | Hong Kong will only be back when the world believes that it is

Mega events will help draw people here. But efforts must also be made to reach out to Western critics rather than bombarding them with rhetoric