HK must demonstrate its advantages like diversity and openness: Anthony Cheung

Former Secretary for Transport and Housing Anthony Cheung Bing-leung urged the government to clear up international misconceptions about the negative impression of Hong Kong and promote its strengths to the world.

Cheung, now an advisor of public administration in the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies at the University of Education, said on a radio program today that Hong Kong has "slightly suffered" from reopening its border later than its neighbors.

He added that along with the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war and China's unsteady economy, it has caused global economic performance to fall short of expectations, which also hurts the local economy.

However, Cheung believed that it doesn't affect the base of Hong Kong, but the city has to be more "proactive" in promoting its strengths.

Cheung said Hong Kong has been portrayed negatively in international media amid heightened geopolitical tensions and local political change, while shifting the perception is important.

Cheung stressed the need to avoid extreme political divisions and adopt more open and inclusive policies. 

He reiterated that maintaining national security is not controversial, but as an export-oriented economy, Hong Kong has to maintain its uniqueness and level of internationalization.