Stop mourning Hong Kong. It’s evolving, not dying

Hong Kong has undergone significant change since the 2019-2020 unrest. However, the city's evolution should not be viewed as dying, but rather as developing in new ways. The emerging model seeks to merge market dynamism and international connectivity with a clearer alignment to national development goals. This doesn't signify decline, but rather a search for a viable identity and role within China.

Critics argue that Hong Kong is becoming just another Chinese city, but this assumes that significant political and institutional shifts equate to the end of a city. However, this overlooks the fact that political systems worldwide have undergone such changes. For instance, Brexit altered Britain's relationship with Europe, and the Trump administration made substantial changes in the United States.

Similarly, Hong Kong's recalibration under Beijing's promises of 50 years of high autonomy should not be seen as an abrupt truncation of a fixed timeline. In fact, Hong Kong's economy has shown growth, with a 5.9% increase in GDP growth in the first quarter of 2026. The city continues to attract international talent and investment, boasting the world's largest cross-border wealth centre and being the top location for initial public offerings.

Hong Kong is evolving into a hybrid identity, being more integrated with China's national development framework, while still maintaining its unique legal and financial systems. The city is not a simple Chinese city, nor a return to the pre-2019 model, but something in between - a high-autonomy special administrative region that must prove its value through results.

The Hong Kong of 2018 is gone, but the focus should be on the city's ability to adapt, compete, and deliver under its current constitutional framework.