Americans Will Leave HK Over Trade War: James Tien

The Liberal Party's James Tien says he believes Hong Kong's economy is going to be hit hard by the trade war between China and the United States and he expects many American businessmen are going to leave the SAR.

Tien, who's the party's honorary chairman, said on Thursday that US businessmen in Hong Kong are going to find themselves in a no-win situation.

"Firstly, I don't think their companies' or their government's investment into China will be that welcome from now on. And on the other hand, I'm not even sure that the American government will like to see these companies invest in Hong Kong, or via Hong Kong, into the bigger bay area," he said.

Tien also told RTHK's Kelvin Ng that Hong Kong people must do their bit to support Beijing, as the problems between China and the US far outweigh any disagreements between the SAR and the mainland.

"If China has a problem with the USA, I will always stand on China's side ... but if there's a problem between Hong Kong and Beijing I will stand on Hong Kong's side. Today, it seems that the problem of China versus the USA is much bigger than the problem of One Country, Two Systems, which is Beijing versus Hong Kong."

He also warned that with US President Donald Trump targeting individual companies, Beijing might decide that it no longer wants Hong Kong to serve as an international financial centre and a window into China.