Hong Kong protests

Protests made Hong Kong more hopeful, less certain

12 Dec 2014

The 75-day occupation is over, but the democracy movement remains strong. The student-led protests have polarised politics, exposed economic inequality, and challenged Chinese rule. That makes Hong Kong’s future harder for businesses and investors to predict.   

Hong Kong protests lay minefield for business

31 Oct 2014

The democracy debate is dividing the city. For companies, keeping quiet is less risky than expressing an opinion that could irk customers, staff, or Beijing. It’s even harder for employees who must tread the blurry line between free speech and representing corporate interests.

Hong Kong protests reach polite impasse

28 Oct 2014

The “umbrella movement” has lasted a month, confounding predictions of apathy, chaos, or a Beijing crackdown. A compromise on democratic reform is as distant as ever. Yet Hong Kong’s mostly civil activists have changed the city’s political geography for good.

Hong Kong protests’ silver lining for umbrella IPO

22 Oct 2014

Pro-democracy demonstrators are clouding luxury sales in the Chinese territory. Yet the movement’s symbol has cast a light on Jicheng Umbrella’s upcoming listing. International brolly sales are on the up. After the smoke clears, however, the main worry is rising labour costs.

Hong Kong tycoons can be part of protest solution

21 Oct 2014

The city’s business leaders have outsize influence over local politics. Relaxing their grip on special corporate votes would be a symbolic gesture to pro-democracy activists – and may help preserve the stability that has served tycoons, and their investors, so well for so long.

Hong Kong weathers Occupy’s financial disruption

10 Oct 2014

Retailers and other companies have suffered, but the city’s financial system is unmoved. A prolonged standoff between pro-democracy students and the government matters less to the economy than China’s slowdown. Short of an escalation, fears of Occupy’s disturbance look overblown.

Occupy misses real threats to Hong Kong’s future

2 Oct 2014

Most citizens have shied away from protests calling for electoral reform. Universal suffrage deserves public support, but erosion of rule of law and creeping censorship are bigger threats to prosperity. It’s unlikely these issues will erupt into an open standoff with Beijing.

Hong Kong harmony hits Beijing’s worst fears

1 Oct 2014

The tens of thousands of protesters occupying Central send a disturbing message to authorities: unrest can be both disruptive and peaceful. That resonates far more than images of violent conflict. Little wonder China is trying to make sure citizens look the other way.

Hong Kong shreds hopes for orderly disorder

29 Sep 2014

Thousands of protestors have taken to the streets, at times clashing violently with police. Markets remain open, and the financial sector hasn’t been targeted directly. But the loss of control over a carefully planned disobedience movement has damaging long-term implications.

Democracy snub leaves Hong Kong only bad choices

1 Sep 2014

Citizens in the former colony have two options: choose between Beijing-approved chief executive candidates, or don’t vote at all. The new ruling leaves little room for compromise and risks a showdown with protesters. China’s leaders seem to care ever less what the world thinks.

Red tape could save Hong Kong democracy debate

16 Jul 2014

Many citizens want free elections; Beijing has other ideas. A long-awaited government consultation sits on the fence. But that might be for the best. What businesses want is stability and rule of law. An anti-climatic compromise would be something they can rally around.

Hong Kong democracy debate puts business on spot

3 Jul 2014

Thousands of citizens are pushing for fairer elections. The Big Four auditors and others have responded by warning of the dangers of disruption. Their clumsy interventions miss the point. The right to protest is a key part of the system that makes Hong Kong a magnet for commerce.

China’s Hong Kong experiment faces biggest trial

13 Jun 2014

Economic tensions and coming “Occupy Central” democracy protests are testing a two-system formula that has thrived for 17 years since the former colony returned to the People’s Republic. Hong Kong’s stability and China’s patience can no longer be taken for granted.

Occupy movement withers in unequal Hong Kong

14 Aug 2012

After a 10-month sit-in, a rag-bag of Occupy sympathisers face eviction from HSBC’s HQ. Their protest never gained traction - despite the region’s yawning wealth gap and HSBC providing free wifi. It’s not just that Occupy was disorganised: inequality alone doesn’t ensure unrest.