Global Research Findings

Hong Kong is held in high regard and there is a deep reservoir of goodwill for Hong Kong around the world. Hong Kong's strongest supporters internationally are those who know it well, and those who have visited Hong Kong since the Handover.

There is wide recognition of China's commitment to the principle of "one country, two systems," and an understanding that the freedoms enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong prior to 1997 still remain. There is also a broad-based awareness that the rule of law in Hong Kong is being preserved.

Hong Kong is also seen as a place where the best of the East and the West blend together to form a truly world-class international city. It is considered not only as a gateway to the Mainland of China, but, equally important, as a gateway to the rest of Asia. Hong Kong remains the natural centre for doing business throughout the region. Most of those interviewed believe that Hong Kong is Asia's business centre.

There is wide recognition that Hong Kong's proximity to the Mainland of China and the experience the Hong Kong business community has doing business there represent tremendous advantages for Hong Kong, but, many of those surveyed believe the Hong Kong business community must move fast if it is to fully leverage those advantages.

Another challenge faced by Hong Kong is the perception that it must do a better job of communicating the significant added value it offers in the face of what is seen as the high cost of doing business and living in Hong Kong. Some of those interviewed believe that we must continue to take initiatives to address concerns about the quality of Hong Kong's environment.

Hong Kong's people, and their reputation for hard work and entrepreneurship, are seen as one of its greatest assets. However, there is concern expressed by some in the community that the workforce is not as well-positioned as it should be to compete in a global knowledge-based economy. There is also concern that sufficient steps are not being taken to maintain high standards of English language capability, particularly with the young people entering the workforce.