Hong Kong SAR, China

Economics

A survey from consultancy firm Robert Walters found that 52% of Hong Kong professionals had considered leaving Hong Kong, with most of those aged 27-42, Hong Kong Free Press reported on Oct. 4.

Hong Kong: Labor Supply Issues Add to Foreign Business Woes

China

Military & Security

China's domestic security apparatus on July 31 urged greater civilian participation in counter-espionage work, including building tools for public reporting of suspicious activity, Reuters reported the next day.

China, Hong Kong: Hunt for Spies, 'Terrorists' Erodes Business Environment

Politics

Hong Kong's national security police issued arrest warrants with bounties of HK$1 million ($128,000) for each of eight overseas Hong Kongers, including some residing in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, Reuters reported on July 3.

Hong Kong: Warrants Signal Growing Alignment With China's Anti-Sanctions Push

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

Swedish music streaming company Spotify said the pro-democracy anthem "Glory to Hong Kong" had been removed from its platform, though the reason was unknown, the Hong Kong Free Press reported on June 15.

Hong Kong: Content Moderation Could Spur Western Retaliation, National Security Law Expansion

Hong Kong's legislature unanimously approved a bill barring foreign lawyers from working on national security cases, Hong Kong Free Press reported on May 10.

Hong Kong: Law Gives Chief Executive the Power to Ban Foreign Lawyers

Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee proposed cutting the number of democratically elected seats in district councils from 94% to 19% in the November elections, Hong Kong Free Press reported on May 2.

Hong Kong: Cuts to District Council Elected Seats Highlight 'National Securitization' of Government

A Hong Kong student was arrested upon her return from Japan to Hong Kong in March because she made online statements while in Japan supporting Hong Kong's independence, The Asahi Shimbun reported on April 21.

Hong Kong: First National Security Arrest for Online Statements Made Overseas

Residents in Hong Kong's Tseung Kwan O district protested the city's land reclamation policy, the first protest against a government policy in roughly two years, Hong Kong Free Press reported on March 26.

Hong Kong: Strong Restrictions Continue to Mute Post-COVID-19 Protests

Assessments

Brazil

Guyana

Venezuela

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Europe

A photo taken from southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip shows a rocket being fired from inside Gaza toward Israel, as fighting resumed between the Israeli forces and Hamas militants after a temporary cease-fire expired on Dec. 1, 2023.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: The Gaza War Resumes, Venezuela Votes on Guyana Dispute

United States

Chinese and Hong Kong flags are strung between buildings to mark the 26th anniversary of the city's handover from Britain to China on June 27, 2023, in Hong Kong.

Social Issues

U.S.-China Relations

The territory will continue down the path of political and economic integration into China, complicating business operations in the region.

Hong Kong District Elections Herald Political and Economic Changes to Come

Snapshots

Singapore

People cycle along the promenade at Marina Bay in Singapore on Oct. 13, 2023. 

While it may briefly slow its economy, the city-state's robust response to the crisis will ultimately mitigate the impact on Singapore's reputation as an easy and safe place to do business.

Singapore Races To Keep Money Laundering From Muddying Its Image

Columns

On Geopolitics

Ethiopia

Nigeria

Argentina

Iran

Turkey

Taiwan

Germany

France

Ukraine

Belarus

Russia

India

In this scorecard, we take a critical look at our successes and slip-ups in forecasting geopolitical events over the past year.

Grading Our 2022 Annual Forecast as 2023 Approaches

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party on Oct. 16, 2022, in Beijing, China. 

President Xi's address at the twice-a-decade political meeting painted a picture of a government and economy beset by both internal and external enemies.

A Half-Time Report on China's 20th Party Congress

Hong Kong Chief Executive-elect John Lee (right) and current Chief Executive Carrie Lam attend a press conference at the Central Government Complex on May 9, 2022, in Hong Kong, China. 

Security

China in Transition

The incoming chief executive's focus on national security and ties with Beijing bodes ill for Hong Kongers' personal freedoms and the territory's business climate.

Under John Lee, Hong Kong's Democratic Backsliding Will Accelerate

Guidance

South Africa

Australia

Japan

From left to right, the foreign ministers of the United States, Australia, India and Japan hold a press conference after a Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) meeting in Melbourne on Feb. 11, 2022.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

COVID-19

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

Asia-Pacific: Among Great Powers

The Weekly Rundown: Biden Visits Europe to Discuss Ukraine, India Meets With Fellow Quad Members

South Korea

United Kingdom

A Hong Kong Airlines plane lands Sept. 1, 2021, at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. Hong Kong authorities will suspend transit flights from 150 countries from Jan. 16 to Feb. 15 in response to the global spread of the omicron variant.

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended Stratfor articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Ukraine Tensions Continue, South Korea's President Tours the Mideast

The president of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, Andrew Leung (center), looks on as Chief Executive Carrie Lam (left) makes an address during the first session of the newly elected legislature on Jan. 12, 2022. 

The likely addition of new NSL crimes will present greater surveillance and discrimination risks to businesses and Hong Kong citizens.

A Plan to Expand Hong Kong’s National Security Law Accelerates China’s Takeover

On Security

Uganda

El Salvador

Nicaragua

A demonstration against a Polish parliamentary vote seen as impinging on press freedoms Dec. 19, 2021, in Warsaw, Poland. Crackdowns on independent media and civil society groups pose long-term risks by silencing valuable local information sources and harming the business climate.

Political Instability & Social Unrest

Crackdowns on independent media and civil society groups pose long-term risks by silencing valuable local information sources and harming the business climate.

The Corporate Implications of Cracking Down on Domestic Dissent

Mexico

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Afghanistan

A compilation of four photos (from left to right) shows a COVID-19 vaccine, U.S. President Joe Biden, the logo of the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei, and a stock market sign. 

In this scorecard, we take a critical look at our successes and slip-ups in forecasting the events of the past year.

Grading Our 2021 Annual Forecast as 2022 Approaches

Officials open a ballot box as vote counting starts Sept. 19, 2021, in Hong Kong.

The elections have put the legislature in the hands of pro-Beijing factions, and will accelerate Western sanctions against China.

Hong Kong Legislative Council Election Results Highlight the Mainland Takeover 

<p>Located at China&#39;s doorstep along the Pearl River Delta, Hong Kong has long served as a bridge between mainland China and the West. More than 150 years of British colonial rule (beginning in the 1840s) endowed the city with a uniquely liberal economy, a Western regulatory system, and strong rule of law that differentiate it from many other parts of the Asia-Pacific region. These characteristics helped to transform the city into a leading reexport and financial center in the past five decades, building on connections into the mainland&#39;s lucrative market and industry. Nearly 8 million people reside in the special region&#39;s 687 square kilometer (427 square mile) territory, making it the world&#39;s most densely populated city with a high level of ethnic diversity.</p><p>Under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, Hong Kong was guaranteed economic and political autonomy under the &quot;One Country, Two Systems&quot; principle for 50 years after the handover to China in 1997. But years of attempts by Beijing to increase its political control over the city and the consequences of deeper economic integration have eroded that status. This, coupled with the city&#39;s deep-rooted socio-economic issues, contribute to a rising tide of Hong Kong nativism manifesting as pro-independence advocacy, particularly among the younger generation. As the city struggles to diversify its economy beyond the financial and retail industry, its growing political polarization and radicalization combined with concerns about Beijing&#39;s encroachment could threaten Hong Kong&#39;s economic prospects at a time when mainland cities and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region are preparing to seize new opportunities.</p>

SITUATION REPORTS

Hong Kong: Labor Supply Issues Add to Foreign Business Woes

China, Hong Kong: Hunt for Spies, 'Terrorists' Erodes Business Environment

Hong Kong: Warrants Signal Growing Alignment With China's Anti-Sanctions Push

Hong Kong: Content Moderation Could Spur Western Retaliation, National Security Law Expansion

Hong Kong: Law Gives Chief Executive the Power to Ban Foreign Lawyers

Hong Kong: Cuts to District Council Elected Seats Highlight 'National Securitization' of Government

Hong Kong: First National Security Arrest for Online Statements Made Overseas

Hong Kong: Strong Restrictions Continue to Mute Post-COVID-19 Protests

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