Paul Surtees writes that despite recent political tensions we all have very good reasons to be grateful to be living in the city - and provides some impressive examples

In this period of divisive political differences, with much gnashing of teeth on all sides of the political spectrum, it may be appropriate to pause for a moment - to take stock of the numerous good points that still obtain here in Hong Kong.

That is not to say that everything in this bustling city is perfect: Which city is? Such regrettable aspects of life here as the dire poverty obliging many old people to work until they drop, for lack of a decent pension, or the many citizens housed in squalid cage homes, are a blight on the reputation of this fabulously wealthy city. However, the many good aspects, enumerated below, still make Hong Kong by far the best city in Asia, and one of the world's leading metropolises.

The rule of law here is a great strength, especially as it applies to the business sector. Hong Kong's mandated "50 years no change" under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle was agreed chiefly to enable free capitalism to continue to flourish here, and businesses are still given every opportunity to start and develop.

Then there is our cherished wide freedom of expression. It is said that the price to pay for liberty is eternal vigilance. Certainly, there is no shortage of Hong Kong individuals only too willing to protest at the slightest hint of any potential eradication of this important right. Some say they go too far, while others say they don't go far enough. Either way, it is a fine thing that people can continue to say what they think - and more freely here than in almost any other city in Asia.

Although about 92 percent of Hong Kong's population is Chinese, we still manage to be an international city. Many foreign companies locate their Asian headquarters here, plus Hong Kong remains an important global financial and banking hub. The widespread official use of English here means that foreigners (be they expatriate employees, tourists or overseas business visitors) can readily operate in Hong Kong. Many organizations based here, ranging from foreign-owned businesses to chambers of commerce, to Rotary and Lions clubs, and including the unusually extensive provision of overseas consular presence in Hong Kong, all add to this internationalism - as, also, do the large numbers of foreign-style shops, NGOs of various persuasions, ethnic restaurants, and the vast range of nationalities represented here in the expatriate workforce. Hong Kong also continues to attract large numbers of overseas tourists each year, as well as legions of overseas business visitors.

The diligence of the roughly 30,000 men and women in the local police force results in Hong Kong being one of the safest cities in the world, where mugging, car theft, kidnapping or murder are thankfully much rarer than they are in many other great world cities.

Our efficient, fast, safe, wide-ranging, clean and cheap public transport facilities are the envy of the whole world, as also is our efficient provision of Octopus pre-paid cards to use them all.

Babies being born here these days have the longest life expectancy in the whole world. Our provision to look after so many more older people (by 2033 over a quarter of all Hong Kong people will be aged over 65) will need to be enhanced exponentially to cater to this rapidly aging population. On the other hand, Hong Kong need not fear overpopulation of younger generations with too many babies being born, since we have one of the world's very lowest birthrates, although we can boast one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates.

Hong Kong is one of the world's most densely populated areas, yet well provided with city parks, country parks, rural hiking trails and swimming beaches aplenty. We are well-connected too (some would say too well-connected), with one of the world's most saturated provisions of smartphones and similar devices.

Before much longer the West Kowloon Cultural District is scheduled to address Hong Kong's desire to become more of a cultural hub. In terms of the many local and international art galleries, auction houses, art fairs, literary festivals and much more besides, Hong Kong is already well-set in that direction.

Good, free school education helps develop the next generations of Hong Kong workers, as also do our many universities and colleges. The younger generations in Hong Kong are among the most educated in the world.

For all these reasons, and more, let's remember just how fortunate Hong Kong people are.

(HK Edition 11/18/2016 page7)