Findings from Hong Kong Opinion Leaders

A number of Hong Kong's opinion leaders from various parts of the community were interviewed including; government officials, business people, academics, trade organisation representatives, politicians and representatives from the media. These individuals provided valuable insights regarding their thoughts on Hong Kong's future.

Hong Kong's role as an international and cosmopolitan city was definitely reaffirmed in these interviews, but many of those interviewed expressed the view that the government and the community must work in tandem to protect this position if Hong Kong is to continue to serve as Asia's business centre. In this regard, Hong Kong's world-class infrastructure, as well as its favourable business and regulatory environments, its strong and convertible currency and free and open system of government, are considered to be major competitive advantages that must be continually reinforced.

Most opinion leaders interviewed feel that Hong Kong should focus on the commercialisation of IT and on strengthening its traditional business areas of financial and business services and international trade. The focus should include the integration of IT into those areas.

Concerns regarding the quality of life were also raised, specifically mentioned were increases in air and water pollution and the high cost of living in Hong Kong. Some of those interviewed also expressed concern about the lack of a strong work ethic from the generation now entering the workforce and the view that this could impact Hong Kong's long-term competitive advantage. Others said this was a concern all older generations eventually express about younger members of the community.