Hong Kong youth who were at the epicenter of the pro-democracy protests that erupted across the island for over a year, starting in 2019, have silenced themselves from any political discussion in the aftermath of the security law imposed by Beijing. They have escaped the intricacies of politics to the comfort of music, gaming, movies and trivial chats.

Even moderate adults who had joined a few of the protests – some of which drew up to 2 million people – have become muted in the wake of the security law. Sociopolitical divisions have gripped Hong Kong with people having to “choose sides” in “a treacherous situation”, according to one local pundit.

Cyril Ip is a 22-year-old journalist and activist, who took part in last week’s webinar on “The Future of Hong Kong & Division of China-US Lenses” organized by Asia News Network, an alliance of 23 national media organizations in 20 Asian countries. He said Hong Kong had “entered a new era of political sensitivity”.

“[While] some people are concerned about the future of Hong Kong, we also have to acknowledge that an equal number of people appreciate Beijing assuming control over the city. This opinion and diversity are rarely acknowledged,” he said.

Keybros, two 21-year-old YouTubers, voiced guarded optimism for Hong Kong's future and called for dialogue between different age groups and social backgrounds to work toward compromises that could reflect the “true crux” of the One Country Two System path, which they see as a “good balance between the West and the East”.

They believe Hong Kong youths need to be more open-minded, end their isolation and branch out to mainland China, Southeast Asia and the world to broaden their minds.

The seven webinar panelists, all Hong Kong residents, whose views could be challenged by some as not representative of the majority of Hong Kong people, were unanimous in their opinion that China’s ownership of the city was not up for debate, and any expectation that Hong Kong could exist as a self-sufficient region was “illogical”.

Enze Han from the University of Hong Kong said people unable to adjust to the new environment had a choice of leaving the city, exercising for example their right to a British National (Overseas) Visa.

“Hong Kong was a colony of the British and Britain has a responsibility toward its former subjects. So, people who don’t think of themselves as Chinese, I can understand that and it’s legitimate,” he said.

“We can’t force people to identify with a country or people. I think the open option for immigration […] is a good thing.”

Cyril added that those who did not have the option to move away or move to countries they felt were more democratic, would have to maneuver and readjust. "Especially now that we have the security law, Hong Kong doesn’t have the space for people to discriminate based on nationality,” he said.

Regina Ip, a pro-China member of the Executive Council and Legislative Council, argued that there had been numerous instances when mainland China had extended a helping hand to Hong Kong, both pre- and post-1997.

“It’s hard to find any plausible reason for their anger and antipathy for China,” she said.

But she acknowledged that Hong Kong was overdue a reset of policies. “I think we have reached a turning point,” she added.

The next government is expected to correct mistakes on education, economy, inequality and on land and housing. Hong Kong has for years been infamously one of the most expensive places to live in the world.

Education reform tops her priorities. Ip said China was very concerned about confusion regarding identity among Hong Kong's youth.

“We need to reform to strengthen the China component. There will be opportunities for students to travel to China, to understand the nation as it is, its challenges and problems.

“The more radical-minded will be deterred, be reminded of legal consequences. Over time, the less radical ones, the ones who didn’t know what they were doing – like waving US or British flags – over time they will come to grips with reality. It will take a while but the process is underway,” she asserted.

Cyril does not think the youth are very open to conversation – “not even with fellow youngsters having opposing views, let alone the authorities”. He said there was more that could be done to increase engagement and address their concerns in meaningful terms.

In his assessment, much of the failure could be blamed on the weak “decolonization process” after 1997. “The authorities can’t escape responsibility. I think the main reason for the overwhelming anti-China feeling is the pro-colonial sentiment among the youth.”

Richard Weixing Hu from the University of Macau reiterated that since Hong Kong’s return to China, there had been problems with the education system, which had led to disillusionment among young people about their “belonging”.

“It’s not a sovereign city, but basically a financial center or economic entity,” he said, adding that the future of Hong Kong lay in integration with the Greater Bay Area.

Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group, who has lived in Hong Kong for more than 50 years and has obtained Chinese citizenship, firmly believes that the passage of the National Security Law is better than having to send the People's Liberation Army into Hong Kong to quell the violent protests.

But he does not see Hong Kong becoming another “province of China”. It will continue to be an international city with an independent judiciary and a common law system.

“Things will change; One Country first and then Two Systems, not as in the past when some people thought it was two systems first and then one country,” he said.

Christopher Williams, founding partner at Howse Williams law firm, said Hong Kong people were pragmatic and would resolve the issues. Opportunities for the city abound, ranging from integration into the Greater Bay Area to deepening business ties with Southeast Asia, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and as a gateway to mainland China.

He highlighted the need to deal with the increasing wealth disparity and restrictive social mobility. “We must reignite the feeling of passion for Hong Kong. We must maintain a laissez-faire approach and adapt to encourage investment.”

Asked what would be his advice for investors or companies wanting to come to Hong Kong, Williams said, "Naturally, you are coming to a country where you have to abide by the laws whether or not you agree with them. So, when people are coming to HK, they need to be aware of the cultural sensitivity and be open-minded particularly when dealing with sensitive issues and take into account everybody else’s views on these things and accept the rules and abide by them.” 

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