The world is indeed open to hearing about the real Hong Kong

Emerging from the ashes of two devastating world wars, the Salzburg Global Seminar was founded in the summer of 1947, at a pivotal moment when the international order was in flux. Recognising the need to foster greater mutual understanding between nations, the organisation’s founders envisioned a platform for open dialogue and exchange across borders.

The theme of this year’s Salzburg Global Weekend, held from June 21 to 23, was “Looking East: Confronting Assumptions and Exceptions of East and West in an Unstable and Multipolar World”.

Almost a hundred delegates from 21 countries covering four continents attended the event. I delivered a keynote address titled “Navigating a New Multipolar Landscape: Hong Kong’s Enduring Relevance”.

Over the past few years, I have learned that many people outside Hong Kong have preconceived ideas about the city in the context of China, and that their opinions are influenced and distorted by seemingly persistent, misleading negative Western media narratives.

So, to set the record straight, I introduced basic facts and distinct differences between Hong Kong and mainland China, which surprised and enlightened some audience members. This was a positive step forward.

The audience was suprised to learn that, in contrast, Thailand has taken a more open approach to Chinese tourism, offering visa-free entry for all mainland Chinese nationals. Many in the audience questioned the rationale behind controlling the flow of mainland Chinese visitors to Hong Kong.

Many also wondered why China would want to maintain Hong Kong as a separate system rather than fully integrate it. I explained why this arrangement can continue indefinitely as long as Hong Kong adds value.

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What is the Hong Kong Dollar Peg?

My aim