Battling urban heat is becoming an increasingly urgent challenge, threatening those living in densely populated cities around Asia who suffer the effects of rising temperatures. By Program Director Janet Pau.
Like the wildfires in Australia, the political flames in Hong Kong burn hotter with each outbreak. Given that the government shows no intention of heeding the public’s voices, corporate Hong Kong must get to work on community engagement. By Executive Director Mark Clifford.
Hong Kong is the fastest-ageing economy in the world, and has the lowest population share of children under 14. The city faces a grim economic fate, unless the older and younger generations can work together to change the growth model. By Program Director Janet Pau.
Hong Kong’s youth and its middle class no longer believe in upward mobility and see little but more competition ahead. Facing economic insecurity and disconnect from older generations, they turn to protests as a way of belonging. A new social contract is needed to restore faith. By Program Director Janet Pau.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s strategy of waiting out the protests is not working. Meanwhile, businesses are caught between protesters and pressure from China. Protesters must find creative ways out of the impasse that will not destroy Hong Kong. By Executive Director Mark Clifford.
By narrowing the boundaries of commentary, China is gradually alienating outsiders who might see opportunities there. In attacking the NBA, which does not need China and would be difficult to replace, Beijing may have finally gone too far. By Executive Director Mark Clifford.
Xi Jinping’s approach highlights how politics has always been in command in China. But nationalistic leaders and web users would do well to remember the losses suffered through extreme political correctness in the Mao era. By Executive Director Mark Clifford.
A more mainland-dominated Hong Kong would threaten the city’s robust regulatory regime, high corporate governance standards, and freedom of the press and information, putting its status as Asia’s financial centre at risk. By Executive Director Mark Clifford.
Hong Kong needs to trim its dependence on the services sector, accelerate research and development, and open up new growth paths — and key to its economic survival are its fundamental values of personal and judicial freedoms. By Program Director Janet Pau.
Hong Kong can better prepare for pandemic risks by turning to disruptive technology and financial innovation. By Asia Business Council Program Director Janet Pau.
