OP-EDS

A recent report on international perceptions of Hong Kong had an interesting finding. While 92 per cent of expatriates interviewed rated the city as safe, only 81 per cent of them believed that their peers back home would feel the same way. The divide between lived experience and global perception begs a question: is Hong Kong outperforming expectations, or are outsiders trapped in outdated narratives?

The gap stems partly from skewed international coverage and geopolitical moves, such as the Hong Kong Business Advisory issued by the United States. As one foreign chamber of commerce representative noted, “There is no rationale that I can see for why they would need to place Hong Kong under that notice, other than politically driven motives to show their stance to their audience and voters.”

People back home “know nothing about the actual circumstances here in Hong Kong”, lamented another interviewee. “They are worried about my decision to continue living and doing business here.”

To counter misperceptions, Hong Kong must amplify balanced narratives. Expats, often inadvertent ambassadors, could be better leveraged to share nuanced perspectives. Meanwhile, policies reinforcing urban nature and cultural openness would sharpen the city’s edge in retaining global talent.

The lesson should be clear: lived experience trumps stereotypes. For those who call Hong Kong home, the city’s vibrancy outweighs external scepticism. The challenge is ensuring the world sees what they do.