Hong Kong: Past to Present
This July I am studying Management and Intercultural Communications in Hong Kong. Today I sat down with Professor Arthur Dong, a faculty member leading our program, to talk about his experiences in Hong Kong.
What is your personal and professional connection to Hong Kong? How often have you come here? And why?
I have been coming to HK since my childhood. Since the 1990s, I’ve been coming to HK at least once a year. I have family here and conducting business for a portion of my life while I was operating a business in China.
What makes Hong Kong unique from other metropolises? There are many international financial hubs in the world. What differentiates Hong Kong from the others?
HK is the crossroads between East and West. People here are rooted in Chinese customs. As a result of British rule, Hong Kongers operate under rule of law. The business perspective and very open market make it easy to do business in HK.
Hong Kong has experienced rapid economic development over the past 30 years. Can you explain how these economic changes have impacted the everyday lives of Hong Kongers?
Not too long ago, HK was considered an emerging market. Their growth has been miraculous. Their ability to engineer an economy and society, based on little natural resources and no apparent strengths other than harnessing the energy and inspiration of inhabitants, has enabled HK to rise to very top.
Hong Kong is known for its food and shopping. Where have you had your best meal in the city?
HK is epicenter of Chinese cuisines, and other cuisines as well. There are a number of places I’m very fond of, including Yung Kee for Cantonese cuisine, seaside dining in Sai Kong, dim sum at Maxime’s palace, and Shanghai cuisine at Din Tai Fung.
What is the number one distinguishing feature of a true Hong Konger?
HKers are known for being fast-paced. Their lives and personalities are reflection of the pace of this city. People walk quickly here and are always on the go. Their personalities reflect the fast pace nature of the city. HKers are pretty worldly and open to other cultures. This is part of their mindset. Their long exposure as a trade center to both cultures and people from other parts of the world gives them an advantage.
What remnants do you see of colonial rule in Hong Kong? Have these changed over time?
Their system of limited governance, respect for rule of law, and lack of corruption are some remnants. Another would be their free trade orientation in terms of economic policy. It is remarkable what they’re able to achieve given their tax rates are so low.
China has promised that Hong Kong will remain “unchanged” for the next 50 years. However many people believe the “one country two systems” policy has been an empty promise. What is your prediction for the future of Hong Kong? Will communist China allow democracy to exist within its own country?
I don’t see HKers being able to gain independence from China. There’s a budding movement for liberalization of their political systems, including the “one person, one vote” movement. They practice indirect democracy, and I do not foresee that changing. If HK goes its own way, other provinces within China will wish to emulate. It would set a precedent for other provinces to rebel. China has a long history of this, and Beijing is aware of this.
Why bring Georgetown students to Hong Kong? What is the value of international study?
HK is in such a unique position. It’s a springboard into understanding and experiencing the Chinese marketplace. It’s at a crossroads between world’s fastest growing regions. It’s proximate to 1/3 of humanity. In addition to that, it’s a well recognized as a global finance center, with an entry point into the Chinese marketplace. It is a great place in which to study, experience and enjoy.
What keeps you coming back to Hong Kong?
Some reasons are my familiarity of the city, the magnificent infrastructure, and how convenient it is to get around. HK is a great place because it’s a wonderful blend of the familiar and unfamiliar. The cultural distance between Westerners are not too great, and there are many conveniences to Westerners here including good food, reliable transportation, an unpolluted environment, and good health care.
Professor Arthur Dong is a teaching professor at the McDonough School of Business, with teaching interests in finance and competitive strategy. He is an expert on international business in China, and serves on the faculty at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.