As the sixth largest stock market in the world, Hong Kong recently have been socially and economically unstable due to the pro-democracy protests from September. Linda Yueh, a chief business correspondent in BBC News, wrote a blog named “ Is Hong Kong’s future as a financial centre threatened?”. In this blog, she discussed the corresponding influence of HK protests and questioned whether this political uncertainty would sacrifice Hong Kong’s economy. To my view of thinking, HK protests seem to be a paradox. More specifically, on the one hand, Hong Kong’s economy will be negatively influenced by this political issue, and this can be directly illustrated by the fact that stocks have been down in Hong Kong from last week. Also, Beijing would be willing to sacrifice Hong Kong’s economy to ensure the power control and the stability of society, especially when Hong Kong is no longer the only open broader in China. In this sense, Hong Kong’s status as one of the top global market financial centers would possibly be threatened to a certain extent. However, if pro-democracy protesters can win this war and create a more free and democratic political atmosphere in Hong Kong, this will increase the degree of economic freedom as well. So it is still a question whether Hong Kong can retain its current finical status, or its economy would be threatened by the protests.

Work Cited:

Yueh, Linda. “Hong Kong’s Future?” BBC News. N.p., 29 Sept. 2014. Web. 04 Oct. 2014. < http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29406712 >.

Pittis, Don. “Why China Might Be Willing to Sacrifice Hong Kong’s Economy: Don Pittis.” CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 02 Oct. 2014. Web. 02 Oct. 2014. < http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/why-china-might-be-willing-to-sacrifice-hong-kong-s-economy-don-pittis-1.2784555 >.