Asking Hong Kong | "Exceptionalism" is dead, where will Hong Kong go?

The handover of Hong Kong's sovereignty will officially enter the 25th anniversary. It has transformed from a "barren island" to an "international financial center" and is even known as the most advanced city in Asia. Hong Kong's development trajectory once made the world stand out with admiration.

However, in the 25 years since the handover, Hong Kong's governance problem has been getting worse. Whether it is the handling of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance or the medical system is on the verge of collapse due to the new crown epidemic, it is not difficult to find that more and more people are concerned about Hong Kong's "one country, two systems" "Doubtful.

If Hong Kong's "one country, two systems" is about to lose Beijing's trust, where should Hong Kong go?

In the 25 years since the handover, the governance problem of Hong Kong has worsened, and Hong Kong people have doubts about "one country, two systems".

Zhang Bingliang, a scholar who has served as Secretary for Accountability and has long studied Hong Kong's governance, politics and public policy, has recently published a book that specifically discusses Hong Kong's governance crisis, how Hong Kong has come along, and at what critical moment important decisions have been made.

In Zhang Bingliang's eyes, both the colonial system of Hong Kong and the structure of the Special Administrative Region represent a product of the times.

Most of the colonial-era systems were transplanted into the SAR, and even the principle of "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong and a high degree of autonomy" made Hong Kong different from any other city in the Mainland after the handover.

These institutional designs all highlight that Hong Kong is "exceptional" to other regions, allowing the government to have greater autonomy in handling internal affairs, which is also the "exceptionalism" of Hong Kong proposed by the author.

If the reader expects some fresh perspective, his book will be disappointing.

However, the problem lies in the fact that Hong Kong is still inextricably linked with political contradictions.

The story of Hong Kong is, of course, difficult to tell.

The author is just a lone salesman, a relentless mediator, lobbying all parties to turn the tide.

It is a pity that the author's point of view has not yet been explained. Who is the one who solves the bell?

In his latest book, scholar Zhang Bingliang talks about governance issues like a lone mediator. His views express his desire for reform and his concern for Hong Kong society.

For details, please read "Hong Kong 01" e-Weekly Newsletter No. 307 (March 7, 2022) "

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In his latest book, scholar Zhang Bingliang talks about governance issues like a lone mediator. His views express his desire for reform and his concern for Hong Kong society.