MANY foreigners first came to Hong Kong for work or business, but have embraced the beautiful “Pearl of the Orient” as their second hometown over the years. “July 1 is a special day for Hong Kong. I watched the handover ceremony on TV 25 years ago,” said 74-year-old Richard Cullen. Cullen, a visiting professor at the University of Hong Kong, chose to stay in the city after moving from Australia more than 30 years ago. “Soon after I arrived in Hong Kong, I realized I was living in a unique world city,” said Cullen. “In this vibrant city, I feel energy, freedom and efficiency.” Cullen thinks the practice of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong has been a great success, which has come through all the tests in the past 25 years, especially the 2019 chaos. The law professor pointed out that “the national security law has done a very good job.” Since the implementation of the law in Hong Kong, social stability has been restored in this city, he said. “What is truly good for China is good for Hong Kong. Without China, there would not be Hong Kong,” he said. Cullen also praised the three major elections since changes were made in the HKSAR’s electoral system. “There was nobody running around, throwing things or shouting,” he said. “No city can replace Hong Kong in my view,” said Cullen. “I wish Hong Kong all the best. It deserves that.” U.S. businessman Jim Thompson’s office is on the top floor of a building in the downtown Wan Chai area. To the north of the office are the Golden Bauhinia Square and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. Looking out of his window, he clearly remembered the historic moment of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland 25 years ago. Every year since 2003, Thompson was invited to attend the anniversary celebration events held by the HKSAR government, never missing it once. “The ‘one country, two systems’ principle has worked well for the past 25 years,” he said. In the 1960s, Thompson, chairman of logistics company Crown Worldwide Group, set up his company in Japan. In 1978, he moved the company’s headquarters to Hong Kong and has remained committed to the city ever since. “Our business has grown stronger and our ability to operate in Hong Kong has improved in many ways,” he said. He thinks the steady opening-up of the Chinese market has provided good opportunities for Hong Kong-based businesses. Noting that many successful mainland enterprises and individuals have invested in Hong Kong and got their companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, he said, “This was a huge support for Hong Kong financial markets and allowed Hong Kong to remain as the third-leading financial center in the world.” Hong Kong has gone through lots of ups and downs in the past 25 years, but in every case, it quickly bounced back and got stronger, he noted. “I believe the Chinese government wants Hong Kong to succeed and be a strong part of the country,” said Thompson. John Swindleton, 34, is from Canada. He is attracted by the opportunities offered by Hong Kong’s economic growth. After college, he got a short-term internship in Hong Kong. Swindleton then decided to stay in the financial hub. He now works at a bank. Hong Kong is a place for him to realize his career goals. “There are a lot of opportunities here for me to start my career.” A lot of international firms chose to do business in Hong Kong, because it is the gateway connecting the Chinese mainland with the rest of the world, he said. “This geographical advantage attracts international firms to do business here,” he noted. Recalling some people’s concern about Hong Kong’s prospects before its return to the motherland in 1997, he said, “Hong Kong has taken off since, and the track record speaks for itself.” Hong Kong is still one of the freest economies in the world, he added.(Xinhua) | 