Hong Kong and Singapore: rivals and partners learning from each other
The world was in the throes of Covid-19. The airport was a ghost town. A few months later, the
Omicron wave hit, holding back the city from reopening. Amid geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic headwinds, the local economy, especially retail, real estate and tourism, suffered.
But this dynamic city is bouncing back. First, in a step-by-step, practical manner, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's administration led the city out of the pandemic in late 2022, putting it on the path of steady recovery. Social restrictions were lifted, and Hong Kong regained international connectivity. Second, law and order as well as social stability have returned.
Hong Kong fulfilled its obligation under the Basic Law to enact
national security legislation last year. Third, Lee embarked on a transformational exercise to adopt a results-oriented approach to governance. The government is embracing a proactive role in delivering public goods, and fostering new growth engines like
mega-event tourism and innovation and technology.
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