Hong Kong’s ‘immigrant DNA’ allows city to thrive as ‘super-connector’, seminar celebrating SCMP’s 120th anniversary hears

Hong Kong, known as Asia's 'super-connector', is a city that thrives amidst uncertainty. This was the consensus at a half-day seminar held on Friday to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the South China Morning Post. The city's resilience and adaptability, coupled with its ability to bridge diverse cultures and religions, position it as a global hub for dialogue and connectivity. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po highlighted Hong Kong's unique advantage under the 'one country, two systems' framework, which has allowed it to flourish due to its exceptional connectivity. The recent global conflicts serve as a reminder of the need for empathy, understanding, respect, and engagement over prejudice, suspicion, hostility, and separation. The South China Morning Post, founded by Tse Tsan-tai and Alfred Cunningham in 1903, is celebrating its anniversary with a pop-up exhibition at the Landmark Atrium in Hong Kong's Central business district. The seminar was attended by prominent Hong Kong business leaders, including Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group, Catherine Leung, council member of the Better Hong Kong Foundation and co-founder and partner at MizMaa Ventures, Ryan Lai, managing director of Foodpanda Hong Kong, and Ivy Au-Yeung, CEO of OCBC Hong Kong. Amidst the current geopolitical environment and prevailing western narratives, Chan emphasized the importance of proactive engagement and sustained efforts to foster mutual understanding and clear misconceptions. He urged the newspaper to remain committed to its fact-based, objective, and unbiased reporting, serving as a reliable source for the world to understand Hong Kong and its region. Catherine So, the Post's CEO, reflected on the newspaper's journey over the past 120 years, during which it has embraced changes while honouring traditions and documented the incredible transformations that have left a mark on Hong Kong, mainland China, and the rest of the world. This year marks the first time the Post has celebrated its anniversary since the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020. The seminar included two panel discussions on Hong Kong's role as an international financial centre and technology hub. Catherine Leung of MizMaa Ventures highlighted Hong Kong's low tax rate and robust legal industry, comparing the city's adaptability to an 'immigrant DNA'. She noted the city's transition from manufacturing to financial services over the past 50 years, attributing its resilience to the immigrant mentality of never being settled and safe. Ryan Lai of Foodpanda Hong Kong pointed out that Hong Kong is where West meets East, and the city's talent pool understands both the Asian market and the western technology sectors. Ivy Au-Yeung of OCBC Hong Kong praised the city's inclusiveness and dynamism, stating that Hong Kong's ability to adapt and overcome difficulties sets it apart from other markets.