As pro-democracy demonstrations flare across Hong Kong, it continues to rank first in the world in economic freedom. Hong Kong has been at the top since 1970, according to the just-released Fraser Institute Economic Freedom of the world index, a collaborative effort of more than 100 research groups in 90 nations and territories. The 2014 report is based on 2012 data, the most recent available.
rule of law
July 26, 2014
6:00AM
With the recent Russian-inspired tragedies in eastern Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, much of the world is understandably focused on those regions. But another continent, Asia, is worth watching, particularly Chinese government action vis-à-vis Hong Kong.
November 23, 2013
2:00AM
"Travel", said Francis Bacon, "is part of education for the young and a part of experience for those who are older." But there is an additional benefit from a journey outside of one's own borders: a reminder of why certain places function better than others.
In a recent trip to Hong Kong, I met with a plethora of civil servants, some politicians and a few business people, all with an obvious interest in the future of that territory. My purpose was simple: to get a sense of how that territory has held up in the face of massive change occurring in China proper.