London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Sep 20, 2026

Hong Kong tricked into buying US myth on democracy

Hong Kong tricked into buying US myth on democracy

America is really an oligarchy and Hongkongers must be wise to the failings of the US system. Hong Kong should adopt a Singapore-style system, which has proved successful when it comes to necessities like housing, health care and pension.
America doesn’t practise real democracy to begin with, it is an oligarchy where elections are controlled by powerful business constituencies such as Wall Street, pharmaceutical companies and tech companies. The defence lobby, on the other hand, influences arms budgets and foreign policy, all in the name of security and freedom.

Therefore, America gets involved in hubristic wars around the world – the latest proven failure being Afghanistan. America also impudently interferes on Hong Kong and Xinjiang, under the excuse of freedom and human rights.

Hongkongers should be wise to the obvious failings of America’s economic and political system, as clearly evidenced by its suicide rates, homicide rates, incarceration rates, wealth inequalities, poverty, homelessness, unaffordable health care, and social polarisation, to name but a few issues.

Britain, on the other hand, practises some strong socialistic policies such as having a high inheritance tax and the taxpayer funded NHS (National Health Service), although British companies that operate in Hong Kong insist on the Hong Kong government adopt a hands-off approach and low taxes (a legacy of colonial government).

Many large British and Western insurance companies that have a universal health care or universal pension system in their domicile country take advantage of the private health care and private retirement savings plans here in Hong Kong – for their own profit, at the expense of Hongkongers.

Hong Kong must stop these private corporations from profiting privately without bearing Hongkongers’ best interests in mind.

Hong Kong should, for reasons of stability, quickly adopt a Singapore-style system, which has proved successful when it comes to livelihood necessities like housing, health care and pension schemes – which are run by the state, and should not be allowed to fall into the hands of private corporations, whether local or foreign.

The Hong Kong government (with the support of the central government) should stop pleasing private corporations and vested interests (whether foreign or local), and have full autonomy on Hongkongers’ livelihood issues such as housing and health care.

Hong Kong’s stability or instability has little to do with an extradition bill: the debate over freedom or democracy only stirs up emotions and fearmongering, rendering the city vulnerable, with the situation worsened by the foreign press and foreign intervention.

Adding to the whole puzzle is Japan expressing concerns about China-Taiwan tension – but how many Hongkongers know that Taiwan was taken from China because of the first Sino-Japanese war? Japanese flags were even waved during the 2019 citywide protests; is Japan seen here as a symbol of freedom and peace?
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Addison Lee Founder Loses £20 Million UK Tax Tribunal Case
BrewDog Creditors Face Losses on About £190 Million of Debt
Harrods Seeks to Recover Abuse Compensation Costs From Mohamed Al Fayed’s Estate
Ed Davey Targets Reform UK as Liberal Democrat Conference Opens
Great Britain Retail Sales Rise 0.5% in August
NHS England Approves Life-Extending Treatment for Incurable Breast Cancer
Proposals to Limit NHS ADHD Diagnoses Draw Criticism From Patient Groups
Resolution Foundation Warns of Housing Cost Crunch for Low-Income UK Families
BBC Cash Reserves Fall to Decade Low as Annual Deficit Reaches £121 Million
Millisecond Software Error Triggered Major UK Air Traffic Control Disruption
Twenty Women Underwent Unnecessary Mastectomies During NHS Cancer Care
Sensitive UK Police Data Found Vulnerable to Access by Foreign Actors
British Steel Faces Renewed Pressure for a Long-Term Financial Plan
MPs Urge Government to End Thames Water Restructuring Talks With U.S. Hedge Funds
Andy Burnham Warns of Difficult UK Budget Choices as Inflation Returns to 3.1%
England Tightens School Food Standards With Restrictions on Deep-Fried and High-Sugar Foods
Oxfordshire Village Votes Symbolically to Leave UK Over Proposed Asylum Centre
Michael Marra Elected Leader of Scottish Labour
BBC Cash Reserves Fall Sharply as Financial Pressures Mount
George Osborne Calls for UK to Rejoin EU Customs Union
UK Explores Joining Canada-Led Global Defence Bank
Thirlwall Inquiry Highlights Management Failures Surrounding Lucy Letby Crimes
Parliamentary Committee Calls for New UK Law to Address AI Risks to Human Rights
UK Considers Giving Regional Mayors Greater Oversight of Water Companies
UK Opposition Presses Burnham for Stronger Response to Russian Security Threats
Reform UK Faces Scrutiny Over £72 Million in Donations as Political Finance Rules Tighten
Millisecond Software Failure Behind UK Air-Traffic Outage That Cancelled More Than 2,000 Flights
Bank of England Holds Interest Rate at 3.75% as Energy Prices Complicate Inflation Outlook
Burnham Warns of Difficult Choices in October Budget as UK Inflation Rises to 3.1%
Addison Lee Founder Loses £20.5 Million Non-Domicile Tax Case
BrewDog Creditors Face Heavy Losses After Collapse
Thirteenth Metropolitan Police Officer Dismissed Over Charing Cross Conduct
Oxfordshire Village Votes Symbolically to Leave UK Over Asylum Accommodation Plan
NHS Approves Life-Extending Treatment for Women With Incurable Breast Cancer
Software Defect Blamed for Major UK Air Traffic Disruption
Twenty Women Underwent Unnecessary Mastectomies at County Durham NHS Trust
British Steel Costs Taxpayers £1.3 Million a Day as MPs Demand Long-Term Plan
UK Parliament Advances Sovereign Grant Reform Setting Royal Funding at £99.9 Million
King Charles Urges Human-Centred Approach to Artificial Intelligence at Scotland Summit
House of Lords Begins Scrutiny of Voting-Age and Political Finance Reforms
UK Labour Market Shows Growing Divide Between Younger and Older Workers
Nearly Seven in 10 UK Small Businesses Delay or Cancel Growth Plans as Costs Rise
Andy Burnham Reaffirms UK Net-Zero Target Amid North Sea Energy Debate
UK Parliament Demands Credible Financial and Decarbonisation Plan for British Steel
MPs Urge Government to Reject Thames Water Rescue Deal and Prepare Special Administration
Bank of England Holds Rate at 3.75% as Energy Shock Raises Inflation Risks
TUC Calls for Social Energy Tariff Funded by Higher Taxes on Bank Profits
UK Parliament Enters Conference Recess After Advancing Sovereign Grant Legislation
King Charles Hosts Artificial Intelligence Leaders at Dumfries House Summit
Nearly Seven in Ten UK Small Businesses Delay or Cancel Growth Plans as Costs Rise
×