Letters | Nothing wrong with asking Hong Kong tycoons to act for greater good

Readers discuss Xia Baolong’s call for business leaders to support the city’s growth, potential new Hong Kong attractions and facing up to depression

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The sun sets behind Hong Kong’s skyline on November 1. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:30am, 18 Nov 2024

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The call by Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, for business leaders to think and act more in the spirit of making our home stronger should not be construed as undermining the free-market principles of Hong Kong (“John Lee stresses Hong Kong’s business leaders have autonomy but can contribute more”, November 8).

In my mind, it’s clear that his intent is that individual benefit comes from a collective benefit across the city. With 20 per cent of our population living below the poverty line and with the second-highest number of US dollar billionaires of any city, the top echelon of society can certainly do more than just line their pockets further. Affordable shelter still seems out of reach for many, as do other necessities which constitute well-being.

The only ask is for tycoons to further leverage their enterprises for wider benefit of the city. As we all know, Hong Kong is steeped in a long tradition of greed. Asking the elite to be more open-minded in how they should support the city’s greater good and long-term prosperity is a completely reasonable request.

Simon Constantinides, Sai Kung

One-off events don’t do justice to city’s charms

All the hoopla about mega-events and fireworks does not seem to have really helped our economy. Retail sales dropped for a seventh straight month in September, year on year. Small and medium-sized businesses continue to struggle, while the closure of retail outlets has been making headlines.