MFA Press Statement: Visit by Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 24 to 26 September 2017

Lunch with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mrs Carrie Lam on 26 September 2017 at the Government House, Hong Kong (photo credit: MFA)

     Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong was hosted to lunch by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mrs Carrie Lam on 26 September 2017 at the Government House, Hong Kong during his visit to Hong Kong.  Over lunch, ESM and Chief Executive Lam reaffirmed the good relations exemplified by the frequent exchange of visits between the leaders of Singapore and Hong Kong, including Chief Executive Lam’s recent visit to Singapore.  They also exchanged views on future development challenges and opportunities facing Hong Kong and Singapore.  ESM expressed optimism of Hong Kong’s future under “One Country, Two Systems”. 

     ESM is visiting Hong Kong to deliver the keynote speech at the 2017 AECOM-Asia Society Imagine 2060: Delivering Tomorrow’s Cities Together series entitled “The Potential of Hong Kong at the Water’s Edge”.  ESM was also hosted to breakfast by Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former Chief Executive Mr Tung Chee Hwa on 26 September 2017.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

26 SEPTEMBER 2017

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SPEECH BY SINGAPORE EMERITUS SENIOR MINISTER GOH CHOK TONG AT AECOM-ASIA SOCIETY IMAGINE 2060: DELIVERING TOMORROW’S CITIES TOGETHER SERIES ON 25 September 2017, MONDAY, AT 5.00 PM AT THE ASIA SOCIETY HONG KONG CENTER

ENHANCED COOPERATION TO BE EXTRAORDINARY CITIES

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

            I am delighted to be back to speak to your prestigious Asia Society.

2          The theme – beyond the water’s edge – is an apt metaphor for global cities in our era of international trade and finance.  Most global cities are perched on the tip of geography looking out into the vast world.  They function simultaneously as gateways to larger regions, and as global economic and cultural bridges.

3          Hong Kong and Singapore share many similar qualities.  We inherited a common DNA – a British system with a majority Chinese background.  We are governed by the rule of law and have an independent judiciary.  We have industrious people, pragmatic and driven.  We are self-reliant, but destined to prosper only by constantly adapting to change.

4          We also face the same long-term existential challenge.  I do not mean that there will be no Hong Kong or Singapore but that there may not be an extraordinary Hong Kong or an exceptional Singapore.  Hong Kong may lose its international distinctiveness and become just another Chinese city, while Singapore may lose its global relevance and become just a regional hub in ASEAN.  In short, Hong Kong and Singapore risk becoming ordinary, yesterday’s cities.

5          In my view, the risks for Hong Kong are higher than for Singapore.  As more Chinese cities rise, Hong Kong risks falling behind other ports like Shanghai and Shenzhen.  As the Greater Bay area develops, more cities will challenge Hong Kong as a pivotal city in Southern China.  How can Hong Kong maximise its current advantages and stay ahead?

6          Within “One Country, Two Systems”, Hong Kong will have to evolve its own model of representative government.  Democracy is exhilarating but over-emphasising individual interests above collective interests will divide and slow Hong Kong down.  What will make Hong Kong extraordinary is the cohesion of the people and the quality of government leadership – its integrity, competence, values, moral authority, dedication and ability to improve the lives of Hong Kongers.  Government is the master developer of a country or city.  Chinese cities can match Hong Kong in infrastructure and grandiose buildings.  But they may never catch up with the software of Hong Kong – the rule of law and independence of the judiciary, the excellent civil service highly capable of formulating sound public policies and implementing them, and its international connections and outlook.

7          Hong Kong also has an advantage over other Chinese cities in its use of English as a business language.  This allows it to reach out more easily to global and regional cities.  But over time, as ‘putong hua’ becomes more commonly used, Hong Kong must guard against a decline in the standard of English amongst the general population.  As a city at the water’s edge, it must be able both to reach out to the wider world as well as the rest of China.

8          Hong Kong has the leeway to forge its own foreign economic policy which other Chinese cities cannot.  It has signed a FTA with ASEAN.  It can do more with other countries and regions.

Enhanced Cooperation

9          It is not surprising that the Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, chose Singapore as her first overseas port of call.  She wanted to learn from Singapore and to cooperate.  Singapore reciprocated the message.

10        As sibling cities, Hong Kong and Singapore will always compete.  But the rivalry to outdo one another is healthy and constructive.  It drives each of us to do our best.  There are many areas we can cooperate.

11        I suggest three:

·        China’s Belt and Road

·        Technology, Innovation and Creative Industry

·        Governance and Public Policies

Belt and Road

12        Singapore is undertaking a G-to-G project in Chongqing.  The Chongqing Connectivity Initiative will connect the western provinces of China to Singapore.  Hong Kong is welcome to join this segment of the Belt and Road.

Technology, Innovation and Creative Industry

13        Technology, innovation and creativity will drive the economy of the future.  They will change the nature of industries, enterprises and jobs.  Here, Hong Kong and Singapore can learn from one another in helping our businesses to adapt to the relentless march of technology.  We can be proactive in helping students and workers to embrace technology and life-long learning.

14        Our institutes of higher learning are at the forefront of research and technological advances and innovation.  They can work together.

Governance and Public Policies

15        Both Hong Kong and Singapore have high standard of governance.  But as new economic and social challenges emerge, we will need innovative public policies to deal with them.  We can certainly benefit from close exchanges.  As Chairman of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, I will be happy to expand our exchanges and enrol some of your young people who have an interest in public policy and public administration.

No Limits to Imagination

16        Hong Kong has long exemplified the spirit of human endeavour and innovation.  Once, Hong Kong had a strong manufacturing base and many products were ‘made in Hong Kong’.  After China opened up, ‘made in China’ became the mantra while Hong Kong successfully took on higher value added functions to service international trade and shipping.  You invested heavily in education and infrastructure, and it paid off.

17        Now that other Chinese cities are doing the same, what does the future hold for us?  I am an optimist.  We may not be able to escape our geopolitical destiny, but the advantage of global cities is our ability to anticipate future trends and constantly re-invent ourselves.

18        Looking beyond the water’s edge, the key existential challenge facing Hong Kong and Singapore is to sustain good economic growth and make our cities relevant in a fast-changing world.  Both cities have great potential.  We can realise this potential better if we work closely together.  Our future as extraordinary cities will be limited only by our imagination.

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