Hong Kong as a Global Business and Financial Hub

Book excerpt: This book explores the manifold ways that the current confrontations between China and the US, and political tensions within the Special Administrative Region (SAR) has brought Hong Kong to the forefront of emerging political frictions between Beijing and the territory and growing international rivalry between the two powerful nations of the world. Unlike the situation in the post-WWII decades, which witnessed the internationalisation of the Hong Kong economy, this “New Cold War” poses challenges to the SAR’s status as a global city and international financial and business centre. The enactment of the National Security Law and the growing presence of Beijing in regulating the SAR’s domestic affairs triggered strong reactions from many countries. Hong Kong has to bear some of the consequences of measures imposed onto China as a result of current controversies. The shadow of China also raises many eyebrows about the prospects of Hong Kong as a free and liberal city. And the outbreak of COVID-19 and the concomitant interruption to economic flows and the movement of people further complicate the situation. This book will be of great value to students and scholars in the fields such as Economics, Sociology and Asia Pacific studies. The chapters in this book were originally published in the Asia Pacific Business Review.