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How Much Economic Freedom Does Hong Kong Have?

By: Anrei Daniella P. Talaga

Spread all over the media outlets are the massive demonstrations lead
by different people in Hong Kong since June 9, 2019. The rally started because
of the extradition bill that Carrie Lam, their executive head, wants to pass. The
extradition bill aims to allow local authorities to keep in custody or extradite people who are wanted in different
countries. For them, that bill may associate their country with China and Taiwan. The people of Hong Kong feel
threatened, for they can be terrorized by China. Up until now, they are fighting not only to be against the bill but also
for their freedom from the hands of China, and to make their executive head listen to them. (BBC News)

Hong Kong’s tourism is one of the most important part of the country’s economy. Since the protest started,
it cannot be denied that the tourism and the economy of Hong Kong are slowly declining. As stated by Edward Yue,
the secretary for commerce and economic development in Hong Kong, “In recent months, what has happened in Hong
Kong has indeed put local people's livelihoods as well as the economy in a worrying, or even dangerous situation.”
Based on the analysis of firm Forward Keys, the bookings going to Hong Kong between June 16 to July 13 fell from
5.4% on the same period last year. (Chanel News Asia)

Our country is one of the top 10 visitors of Hong Kong with the total of more than 500,000 visitors ranging
between January to June 2019. Thus, the said protest does not only affect the country’s economy and tourism industry,
but it also affects our travel agencies here in our country. According to an owner of a travel agency, the happenings
in Hong Kong cause a lot of trouble for their business. Since August 1, the bookings going to Hong Kong have stopped
due to the dangerous environment, especially when the protest is being done at the airport. (ABS-CBN News)

One of the possible solutions that was suggested by the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, is to have a
peaceful talk with the government to lessen the violence and the casualties because of the demonstration. (DW News)

Chung and Hughes (July 25,2019) Why are there protests in Hong Kong? All the context you need. Retrieved from
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-48607723

Hongkong: Angela Merkel Calls for Peaceful solution to Unrest (Aug 14,2019). Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/hong-kong-angela-merkel-
calls-for-peaceful-solution-to-unrest/a-50023865

Partner Net (Aug.1,2019). Retrieved from https://partnernet.hktb.com/usa/en/research_statistics/latest_statistics/index.html

Regan and Missy (Aug 3, 2019). Is it safe to visit Hong Kong while the city is being rocked by mass protests? Retrieved from
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/hong-kong-tourism-protests-intl-hnk/index.html

Tourism in trouble: Hong Kong protests hit economy (Aug 11,2019). Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/tourism-hong-
kong-protests-hit-economy-11800180

Shakhnazarova (Aug. 7,2019). What is happening in Hong Kong and why are people protesting? Retrieved from
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9277040/hong-kong-protest-latest-news/

Yumul (Aug. 9,2019) Philippine travel agency feels pinch of HK protests. Retrieved from https://news.abs-
cbn.com/business/08/10/19/philippine-travel-agency-feels-pinch-of-hk-
protests?fbclid=IwAR0LGS79mEObkUtHw_aLA1DKQtO08gc3XOQyfpJYBsCe57l70l_DEzW63NE