Historically, Hong Kong and Singapore have had much in common. Both are former British colonies and international financial centres that practice common law. Recently, it has become a ritual for the media to unfavourably compare Hong Kong with Singapore. Some have the tendency to exaggerate “Hong Kong’s decline” and Singapore’s rise. However, such comparisons are subjective and unsound.
Despite all their similarities, Hong Kong and Singapore are fundamentally different. One is an independent sovereign state while the other is not. When it comes to decision-making, Hong Kong has to take national interests into consideration. Being a part of China, Hong Kong enjoys the full support of an Asian superpower while maintaining a high level of autonomy. By contrast, Singapore has few natural resources and is surrounded by neighbours that could potentially threaten its interests.
As a designated special administrative region, Hong Kong has a unique system. Instead of pointless comparisons with Singapore, Hong Kong should focus on itself and find its own way to prosperity, progress and prestige.
Christophe Feuille, Bordeaux, France
This ranks up there with some of the great banalities uttered about totalitarian regimes such as “at least Hitler made the trains run on time”.
Chris White, Mui Wo
