Letters | Hong Kong should keep its cool in the age of Trump

In his first comments on Donald Trump’s re-election as US president, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said anyone seeking trade relations with the city should not interfere in its local affairs or rule of law.

Just last month, Trump bragged that he would speak to President Xi Jinping about getting former media magnate Jimmy Lai Chee-ying out of jail and that it would be “easy” for him.

Trump’s attention on Hong Kong threatens our valuable stability. During his first term, Hong Kong experienced the largest outbreaks of violent unrest since 1967. The national security law enacted by Beijing in 2020, coupled with the pandemic, triggered a wave of emigration. Hong Kong’s principal officials, such as the chief executive and the secretary for security, were sanctioned by the US. Since then, Hong Kong has suffered huge reputational damage as a global business hub.

Since the pandemic, the government has stepped up its efforts to tell “good Hong Kong stories” by organising mega-events, introducing the Top Talent Pass Scheme and building relationships with non-Western countries through groupings such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and outreach to the Middle East.

These efforts have been rewarded by Hong Kong regaining its status as Asia’s top financial centre, ranking third in the world, rising to ninth place from 16th in the World Talent Ranking and regaining our top-five position in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking. In addition, Hong Kong finance jobs have rebounded to a record high since 2003, signalling a recovery after the recent talent drain. We should not allow these efforts to be jeopardised during another Trump presidency.