Comments by "peabase" (@peabase) on "China’s Power Play: Hong Kong Betrayed? | DW Quadriga" video.

  1. Highly unlikely, but that said, likelihood is of no concern whatsoever to conspiracy theorists such as yourself.
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  2. China has enough on its hands with its own economic woes and a looming banking crisis, so no worries about the consequences of upsetting them.
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  3. Less and less by the day.
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  4.  @rashi1932  If China were to turn Shenzen into a truly international city, with all the trappings that it entails, then China would have yet another Hong Kong on its hands. When people get a taste of democracy, there's no turning back.
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  5.  @Kobi-um7bj  Hong Kong's appeal is based on its British-legacy institutions and adherence to the rule of law, which have gained it a high level trust in the eyes of the international community. Shenzen lacks those. For all its dictatorial powers, Beijing can't order the world to trust Shenzen.
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  6.  @robocop581  Oh, I have a clue. I've dealt with both China and Hong Kong in a professional capacity for close to twenty years. Over to you -- try to convince us you have a clue. Or you can tuck your tail between your legs and skulk away.
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  7.  @robocop581  Empty vessels make the loudest noise.
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  8.  @robocop581  OK, now you're at least trying. I have visited Shenzhen so many times I've lost count. As a matter of fact, I represented one of the foreign companies that you mentioned. I can also tell you that all the contracts we signed specified that arbitration is to take place in Hong Kong and Hong Kong only. For a foreign company, having no other legal recourse in case of disputes than PRC's own wonky legal system is an absolute deal-breaker. Over time, things may improve, but at any rate Shenzen has a lot of catching up to do. There's also the question if Beijing really tolerates an independent judiciary -- it automatically means relinquishing control.
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  9.  @robocop581  You're skirting the issue. Whenever foreign companies set up shop in China, Hong Kong is in the loop, providing oh-so important legal services. China has no alternative other than Hong Kong.
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  10.  @robocop581  I was there in June. It's not about registering a company in Hong Kong, but having Hong Kong in the arbitration clause of all contracts. You're a n00b in contractual matters, aren't you? My in-laws live in Hong Kong and I'm co-owner of a joint venture in Nanjing. You're still skirting the issue.
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  11.  @robocop581  The legal dilemma, for which China has no solution other than Hong Kong. It's painfully obvious that you lack expertise there.
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