Strive ahead or left behind

"Hong Kong is like a boat sailing against the current. It will be driven back if it doesn't strive forwards." This is the remark made at a financial forum by Zhou Bo, deputy director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office on Thursday.

Indeed, Hong Kong is facing such a dilemma. Once a glittering and beaming "Oriental Pearl" the city will gradually lose its luster if it doesn't go full-steam ahead with a sense of urgency.

There are two major reasons why Hong Kong's competitive edge is being slowly eroded: first, slower-than-expected integration with the mainland's booming economy and fierce competition from mainland cities. Second, the opposition has been hijacking mainstream opinion by filibustering or politicizing almost every government policy issue.

To revitalize Hong Kong's economic development, we should be able to "think out of the box", as CE Leung Chun-ying pointed out, be more expansive and boost cooperation with the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

Up to now, Hong Kong still has a raft of advantages: its people are hardworking, tenacious and earnest, with an enterprising, dedicated and law-abiding spirit. We have an independent judicial system, and excellent law and order. Hong Kong also has a distinct competitive edge that set it apart - endowed with close connections to the motherland and strong backing from the central government. In short, the overall environment in which we operate is highly favorable. So long as we can fully capitalize on these advantages, Hong Kong will be able to thrive in a sustainable way.

Looking back, Hong Kong can take pride in itself, for it has grasped one opportunity after another, establishing itself as a global icon and making tremendous contributions to the motherland. Looking forward, we can take on more daunting challenges, and persevere on the bumpy road ahead. But it can only happen when our fellow citizens foster a "sense of community of common destiny", stick together in difficult times, and be more self-reliant. If political in-fighting continues to run wild, social harmony will be jeopardized, and the city's future will be at stake. Therefore, let's stay united and throw full support to the SAR government.

The author is a current affairs commentator.

(HK Edition 04/26/2013 page1)