Financial Secretary Paul Chan only appeared to meet reporters on Monday evening after the "big market crash", but he immediately repeated the content of his Sunday blog and went on to criticize how the US domestic economy was affected after the imposition of tariffs. He emphasized that even though the stock market is turbulent, the Hong Kong dollar remains strong and the financial system is sound, among other "self-boasting" statements.
Regarding the response strategy, he said that as a free market, Hong Kong will not retaliate, but he did not mention that it would negotiate with the United States.
He stressed that the government will closely monitor market conditions and "continue and actively" implement some of the existing measures. He also pointed out that China's economy is stable and improving, providing a stable basis for Hong Kong's future economic development. He also said that Hong Kong's business community could turn its markets to Southeast Asia and mainland China.
To sum up Paul Chan's 20-minute speech and responses to reporters' questions, even though the market reaction has shown society's panic about the imposition of tariffs, the Hong Kong government did not, like other regional heads of state, clearly point out that society will face risks. Instead, it was "comforting" everywhere, pointing out how stable Hong Kong's economy is and that more markets will be opened, among other "empty" measures.
To sum up Paul Chan's 20-minute speech and responses to reporters' questions, even though the market reaction has shown society's panic about the imposition of tariffs, the Hong Kong government did not, like other regional heads of state, clearly point out that society will face risks. Instead, it was "comforting" everywhere, pointing out how stable Hong Kong's economy is and that more markets will be opened, among other "empty" measures.
The United States announced new tariff measures on 180 countries around the world, which had a shocking impact on the world. Leaders of different countries and regions hurriedly responded or introduced countermeasures to face up to the problem and try to stabilize public opinion. But looking at Hong Kong, the Chief Executive has been "missing" for days, and the Hong Kong government has only issued a clichéd press release expressing "strong dissatisfaction".