Netizens react to Hong Kong’s widening lead against Singapore as Asia’s most international city

Hong Kong's widening lead over Singapore in the latest Asian Cities Internationality Index (ACII) has sparked mixed reactions among netizens. Last year, the two cities were only 0.2 points apart, with Singapore scoring 73.5 out of 100 and Hong Kong 73.7. This year, the gap widened to two points, with Hong Kong scoring 74.6 and Singapore 72.6.

The index, conducted by Ipsos and commissioned by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, ranks 11 Asian cities based on competitiveness in business and economy, quality of life, infrastructure, innovation, human capital diversity, cultural interaction, and government and legal system for businesses. Hong Kong retained its top spot in business and economy, thanks to its strong IPO activity and open business environment.

Singapore, however, slipped to fourth place in innovation and ideas due to rising living costs and international talent expenses. Some netizens defended Singapore's ranking, emphasizing the city's unique characteristics and diverse industries. Others appreciated both cities' strengths, highlighting Hong Kong's financial focus and Singapore's balanced industry diversification.