HK real estate tycoons voice support for security law
Hong Kong real estate tycoons are “patriotic businesspeople” as they showed firm support and have the correct stance on the national security legislation proposed by the Chinese central government, experts said. And their confidence in the Hong Kong economy and business environment in the future differs from pessimistic predictions from the West, who claim the legislation will weaken the city’s role as an economic hub and financial center.
The national security legislation for Hong Kong will play a positive role in ensuring long-term stable development for the city, said Hong Kong real estate tycoon Li Ka-shing, expressing support for the law that many believe will bring an end to violent radical activities in the city.
In an interview on Wednesday, he said every country has the right and responsibility to legislate on its own security issues.
The Hong Kong version of the national security law will ease the central government’s concerns over Hong Kong and play a positive role in ensuring its long-term stability and development, Li told media.
Li also stressed that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government is duty-bound to consolidate the confidence of the Hong Kong people in “one country, two systems” and strengthen the trust of the international community.
Li had previously been embroiled in controversy. He was criticized for making housing unaffordable for ordinary people in Hong Kong.
Li Xiaobing, a Hong Kong affairs expert at Nankai University in Tianjin, said that “in the turmoil last year, Li Ka-shing was making remarks on a local issue within the city so he could remain vague to avoid offending some political forces. But this time is totally different.”
“The national security legislation is the will of the country with unshakable determination, so there is no space for these real estate tycoons to be vague or even play double-dealers. There are only two choices that the central government provided to all groups in the city, including the business circle: stand with us, or against us,” Li Xiaobing noted.
His elder son, Victor Li, has also voiced support for the legislation. He said Hong Kong is in an atmosphere of political chaos and an unclear business environment, and he hopes the national security law can stabilize the situation and restore social and economic activities there.
Chairmen of the “Big Four” real estate companies – Sun Hung Kai Properties, CK Hutchison Group, New World Development, and Henderson Land Development – have also voiced support for the Hong Kong version of the national security legislation, Ta Kung Pao reported.