Independent Hong Kong
During my recent visit to Singapore, it got me thinking about its status vis a vis Hong Kong. If Singapore can become an independent state, why not an independent Hong Kong?
ASIAN FOUR LITTLE DRAGONS
Along with Korea and Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong both used to be part of the Asian four little dragons. These were the economies that enjoy significant growth between 1960 to 1990s.
Korea's economy has really taken off during this period through the major chaebols (conglomerates) expansion overseas. Samsung mobile handset, LG TV, Hyundai cars are a familiar sight all over the world now. On the other end of the spectrum, Taiwan's economic growth staggered. This was partly due to its restricted participation on the global platform by China.
So what about the other two dragons, Singapore and Hong Kong? Both were former British colonies, and are similar in terms of area, population and GDP. Furthermore, both are heavily reliant on the service industry as a driver of growth.
Source : https://www.bllnr.sg
HONG KONG
Hong Kong is where my parents came from. I spent many years there when I was a kid. After I graduated, I worked out there for a long time. Hong Kong is very dear to my heart. Since last year, Hong Kong has been embroiled in a protest, in a movement to stop the erosion of democracy and freedom. It's been nearly a year since the protest started. The movement hasn't stopped and the five demands still stand.
During the protest, there has been a faction that has called for an independent Hong Kong from China. This view is not supported by the majority. Many just want China to grant Hong Kong democratic rights due under the Basic Law that was signed by China and UK. Furthermore, they want less interference from China. They want China not to meddle with the Hong Kong's affairs. At the time of Hong Kong's handover back to China in 1997, it had (and still has) a well-established judiciary, financial and regulatory structure. Its reputation on the international arena is (still) well regarded and trusted. And most important of all, Hong Kong is more than capable of managing itself.
Thus, I for one was not in favour of an independent Hong Kong. The above are all valid factors, and any normal country would see continued laissez faire as a sensible way to maintain a harmonise and stable economy. The problem was that Hong Kong aren't dealing with a 'normal country'. Hong Kong is dealing with a country called China.
SINGAPORE
When Malaysia gained independence from British rule in 1963, Singapore became one of the 14 states of Malaysia. However, there was a lot of distrust between the leaders of Singapore and the Malaysian federal government over political, economic and social issues. This led to racial riots and the TL:DR version is that the federal government passed a bill in August 1965 allowing Singapore to leave Malaysia to become an independent state. Back then in 1965, Singapore was in a much weaker position than that of Hong Kong today. There was high unemployment, low standard of living, poor living conditions, and they lacked natural resources and infrastructure.
However, having suddenly been thrown into becoming an independent state, Singapore quickly dealt with these issues. By the turn of the century, they had established themselves as one of the most advanced countries in the world.
INDEPENDENT HONG KONG?
Given that Hong Kong and Singapore are of similar in size. Given that Hong Kong today is in a much stronger position than Singapore back in 1965. Given that the will of the Hong Kong people now is so strong to achieve democracy and freedom. If Singapore can grow to a full-fledge sovereign state after being thrown into the deep end of the water, what is stopping Hong Kong to achieve the same? These are the questions I've been asking myself during my visit to Singapore.
On the face of it, all the factors Hong Kong need to become independent are present, or not unachievable. There are only two obstacles.
First, Singapore had Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding father who served as Prime Minister till 1990. He was credited with transforming Singapore from a developed nation to a first class country in a few decades. Currently, no comparative figure exist in Hong Kong yet. And second, which is the most important factor. Singapore was dealing with Malaysia. Hong Kong is dealing with China.
If Hong Kong can overcome these two obstacles, freedom and independence is not beyond our reach!
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://livinguktaiwan.com/independent-hong-kong/
Remembering reference to the Four Dragons, it was very interesting to see you bring it up again in this post @livinguktaiwan. So much we can learn from history. And sad how quickly we seem to forget it ...
Well written and you know this American has no issue with seeing an independent Hong Kong. It is just unfortunate this "battle" was not fought back when the initial negotiations were taking place being Britain and China. We are all far too prone to take the "easy button" route through life and, if there is any thought in our minds of a different but more difficult path, think we can put that off until tomorrow ...
So very true @roleerob. Britain had no incentive to complicate matters prior to the handover, and the Hong Kong people really thought they could trust China. It was all well for a period, but we woke up a bit too late, making the road ahead that much more difficult.
Thank you America for your support!!!
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Wow, are you having trouble sleeping "over there" my friend! 😉
Interesting to read this ...
... as my immediate reaction to it is "based on what?" 🤔 Well, anyway, doesn't matter, as that is all "water under the bridge" now.
Yes, well ...
... I honestly don't know what our polls say (seems everything has to be poll tested ... 👎) about this, but I can certainly in the circles of people with whom I associate, the support is overwhelming!
Okay, get a good night's rest now @livinguktaiwan. I see Corona-virus is surfacing "over there," but supposedly doesn't pose much of a threat to healthy people. So ... Gotta keep your strength up! 😊
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Interesting, I did not know about the four dragons. However, dealing with China is the complete opposite of dealing with Malaysia. It is a communist country, I believe.
I am just thinking about Russia and Ukraine. Even though Ukraine is independent, Russia still treats it as its own. Hence all the tension.
The four Asian dragons dates quite far back, and since then we've had BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) then we had PIGS (Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain). I think people have given up on grouping countries together now.
From one I can see, China and Russia are two of the trickiest countries to deal, both have a self centered leader who think they can single handed rule as they wish. Not the best neighbour, or friend to have ....
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I think finding an inspirational leader could be possible in HK, but China will likely make this difficult.
I have a lot of good friends who live there or come from there. I've been there a few times, myself. It is really sad what is happening in HK. I don't fully understand why China wasn't content with the 1997-2017 way HK was operating.
That is the question everyone in Hong Kong is asking as well. The economy was thriving, the people were happy and motivated, China had a gateway which they lacked in mainland China. Beggars belief why they destroyed everything
This is why I am puzzled at the Koreans who want closer cooperation with China. Some ancient Chinese maps also don't clearly define Korea as not China. There were military outposts in North Korea around 2000 yrars ago, and they still have an awful lot of influence up there.
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I think the key difference is Singapore wasn't a "leased" land.
Not anymore.
One of the biggest reason I didn't think independence was possible was the lack of military forces. But having seen how Singapore has developed with less population, its not impossible for HK to do th same.
I think HK having own military will not be easy. Ours have a draft like TW.
Anyway, I think deep inside, people know war are not won by ground soldiers nowadays.
That's true, a large country's army can easily crush a smaller country if they don't care about repercussions from UN and other larger countries. Most soldiers never go to war nowadays and lets hope they don't need to.
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