Investors Still Choosing SAR, Says Exco Convenor

Executive Council Convenor Bernard Chan says he thinks the business sector has not been affected by, what is perceived by some, to be Beijing's tightening grip on Hong Kong. He made the comment in an exclusive interview with RTHK in Beijing, where he is attending the National People's Congress as a local deputy.

Last week, the US Consul General in Hong Kong, Kurt Tong, said Beijing's influence was starting to scare away investors. The US envoy cited the banning of the pro-independence Hong Kong National Party, the screening of by-election candidates, and an SAR government decision not to renew the work visa of British journalist Victor Mallet.

"At least from the business sector, we continue to benefit from the two systems," Chan said.

"We have a very good judiciary system, law and order as well as a tax system. I think most foreign investors would prefer to do business in Hong Kong. The two systems only exist under one country so there are matters where we don't cross the line, such as Hong Kong independence. There is no such thing. Unfortunately again, these are the types of issues that will get international attention," he said.

Chan also said the Chief Executive Carrie Lam had been sending a lot more detail to Beijing in her routine work reports.

"From what I was told, her work report to the mainland authorities consists of over 50,000 words," he said. "From what I was told, none of the previous chief executives have ever created such a big work report. So far, I think they're also quite pleased that the Chief Executive Carrie Lam managed to rally most people together. Of course, you can never always get everyone to agree everything but so far they are quite happy she kept most happy."

He added talk of a clampdown is being used by competitors of Hong Kong to harm the reputation of the SAR.

"Well I can tell you for sure that some of our competitors are using this to attack us. Some of our competitors are saying to these potential businesses or customers that we are not as independent as their market, which is entirely not true," he said. "But I can see a reason why they might do that, it's for their own benefit but I think it's something where we need to do more explanation."

Chan added that he doesn’t feel Beijing is pushing the SAR government to bring in Article 23 national security laws.

"Beijing has total trust in the Chief Executive, and has for many years too, otherwise we should have passed this long ago," he said.

"So I suspect that the central government has really put that decision to the SAR government to decide when is the best timing. But, for sure, it has to be done. It's part of the Basic Law so it's a matter of when. But, of course, I'm pretty sure this for ever is going to be the most important topic for them."