Case Development Program

Abstract

The One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative was announced in the year 2013 by President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China with an aim to improve economic cooperation and connectivity across continents through strategic land and maritime routes in Asia, Africa, and Europe. This project associates multiple areas like infrastructural development projects, cultural and talent exchange, as well as cross-border investment and cooperation. It is set to reinvigorate the flow of capital, goods, and services along the Belt and Road countries to achieve mutual benefits and synergies. Following the announcements of OBOR, the Hong Kong government announced the launching of the ‘Belt and Road’ Scholarship Scheme in the 2016/17 academic year to fund local student exchanges in OBOR countries. Yet, it has caused heated debate ever since it was introduced. While the government believed this scheme could foster links and nurture talents, scepticism around whether this scholarship brings real benefits to Hong Kong arose. Lawmakers from both pro-democracy and pro-establishment camps questioned the effectiveness of this scheme, particularly the budget allocated for the project, citing tax payers’ negative reactions.

Learning Objective

Not only can the class gain more information about B&R Scholarship Scheme within the context of the OBOR initiative, but learning from stakeholders’ criticisms and reactions students can also draw some lessons to avoid the potential failure of the scheme and, in general, of other OBOR-related projects.

Abstract

As part of the post-disaster economic recovery measure for Hambantota, a coastal town in Southern Sri Lanka, former President Magampura Mahinda Rajapaska decided to build the highly contentious Hambantota Port Development Project. The Rajapaksa pushed ahead with the project, despite the feasibility study concluding it was not economically viable. Although Sri Lanka is in a strategic location in the Indian Ocean, but there were already existing major navigation channels nearby. The Port was eventually built with loan financing from a Chinese bank and started operations in 2012. The following year, it became part of the Belt and Road Initiative. Not able to generate enough revenue to service the loan, the Sri Lankan government settled on a 99-year lease agreement with China in 2017. The agreement was also rumoured to include a Chinese naval base within the port. Many Sri Lankans protested arguing that it was a debt trap. Other foreign countries joined in accusing China of ‘debt-trap diplomacy’ and hidden ambitions of military expansion.

Learning Objectives

The case mainly provides basic information about the origin, major stakeholders, and controversies surrounding the Hambantota Port. It can be used in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative in terms of the challenges met in these projects, and how problems, such as those experienced in the Hambantota Port project, can be addressed and/or prevented.

The China-U.S. Trade War was sparked by the unilateral trade moves by the U.S. on 22 March 2018. To defend against China’s allegedly unfair trade practices, U.S. President Donald Trump invoked Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act to slap steep tariffs on US$250 billion worth of Chinese products. China retaliated by imposing tariffs on US$110 billion worth of U.S. goods. As trade tensions escalated, there were mounting speculations that the Chinese government could weaponise its supply of rare-earth elements. China had the world’s largest reserves of rare-earth elements, which could be a source of leverage given that the U.S. had heavy dependence on them. Would the Chinese government use its control over rare-earths elements as a bargaining chip the trade war? If so, in what ways? Exactly how much leverage does China have? This case study will explore some answers to these questions.

Abstract

In such a rapidly aging society as Hong Kong, the issue of retirement protection has always been a prominent one. Although the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF), enacted in 2000, is a compulsory retirement savings system whereby employees and their employers are required to contribute monthly to the fund, it has been criticized by many as inadequate. Policymakers critical of the MPF have been pushing the government to review the current welfare system and to introduce a universal retirement protection scheme instead. After years of on-going debate, the government in 2015 issued a six month-long public consultation document putting forward two policy directions- 1) a universal protection scheme where each retiree would receive a standardized pension per month regardless of net worth; and 2) a non-universal scheme where pension offered are subject to means-testing. The extreme positions of the two policy proposals have again stirred up heated debate among the public. Some believe that public resources should be allocated according to those in need and cater to the underprivileged groups, while some support a scheme covering all retirees whether rich or poor.

Learning Objective

This case study allows students to understand the arguments of stakeholders on different sides of the fence. Through reviewing and identifying the potential issues within the policy proposal, students are expected to discuss the pros and cons of the options, consider the implications of the proposals, and provide ideas for possible workable solutions facing the current shortcomings.

Abstract

Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA) is a general competency assessment administered at the territory level aiming to facilitate objective statistical assessment for students’ learning at primary and junior secondary levels. It covers the three subjects of Chinese Language, English Language, and Mathematics at the end of each key learning stages (Primary 3, Primary 6, and Secondary 3). It is believed that TSA can bring positive contributions to relevant stakeholders: first, schools and teachers can enhance their plans for teaching by benchmarking with the general standards in Hong Kong; second, the policymakers can review policies and provide focused support to certain schools based on the territory-wide data. Yet, scratch beneath the surface, there is a growing concern over the high pressure and heavy workload caused by the TSA. Not only do the students have a higher chance to be subjected to even more drilling by the schools, but also the educators have to spend extra time teaching and preparing materials. As a result, hundreds of parents, students, or representatives from the civil society have called for reforming or even abolishing TSA due to its adverse effects. Controversy over TSA has continued for years. While it is considered beneficial for gauging schools’ performances and checking shortcomings, some regard it as an added burden in addition to the regular assignments and extra-curricular activities.

Learning Objective

Using this case, students can discuss the phenomenon of unintended consequences in the implementation of policy. In particular, the discussions can revolve around why it happens, how can policy makers minimise unforeseen adverse consequences of policy, and how to address it when it happens.

Abstract

The Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL HK section) is a high-speed rail that connects Hong Kong to cities of mainland China. The West Kowloon Terminus (WKT), which is part of the XRL, is the main access point to China’s extensive high-speed railway network. With an aim to facilitate passenger journeys, the Hong Kong government proposed the “co-location” joint checkpoint scheme. Such an arrangement enables leasing part of the WKT to mainland China’s customs officers, where they can set up a Mainland Port Area (MPA) and exercise almost full jurisdiction over immigration and customs matters. However, this proposal has sparked heated controversy among the officials, the general public, and legal experts. Given that WKT station is technically located in Hong Kong, pan-democrats argued that the plan contravenes the Basic Law, by allowing the mainland Chinese laws to be applied in Hong Kong. However, the authorities insisted that the MPA should be treated as outside Hong Kong’s boundary since it is leased to mainland China.

Learning Objective

The case presents social, economic, political, jurisdictional, and constitutional issues surrounding the co-location arrangement for the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link. Readers can think about and/or discuss approaches and alternative proposals to deal with these controversies.

Digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and smartphones are reshaping the way we live and work, and are poised to disrupt many industries including healthcare. The outbreak of COVID-19 has accelerated worldwide expansion and adoption of telehealth services due to people wanting to avoid and minimise face-to-face interactions. Patients are increasingly likely to rely on telehealth services for their daily healthcare needs. Telehealth services have many potential benefits, and can supplement traditional modes of healthcare delivery, improving the equitability of healthcare access. However, these services also bring with them some challenges and liability issues that affect governments, businesses, patients, and healthcare providers.

Currently, the Hong Kong government has yet to determine what the best practices should be for the long-term development of telehealth services, and how these services should be regulated. Among the broader public, there are discussions and debates about the legal and security implications of telehealth services.

This case study examines the key issues and challenges for telehealth services in Hong Kong through several lenses. Following a brief overview of what telehealth is, this case study will discuss how Hong Kong, mainland China, and Singapore approach and implement telehealth services. We will go over the benefits and challenges of telehealth services, and list several policy considerations in the deployment of these services.

Hong Kong’s 1972 small house policy (SHP) was the subject of much debate. This policy was partly intended to to preserve the rural character of villages in the New Territories by facilitating male descendants of indigenous villagers to build of small houses. Supporters of this policy, led by the villagers’ representative body, argued that the building of small houses was a traditional right guaranteed by the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution. Others said that the policy conferred an unfair privilege, pointing to abuses that detracted from the policy’s original intent. Disagreements centred around issues of sustainability and discrimination. This case provides an overview of the SHP’s origin and some of the changes it went through, followed by details of disputes on the policy, as well as reforms proposed by various stakeholders. This case study will enable students to:

- Acquire a better understanding of the SHP, its origins, and the controversies it engendered; and

- Knowledgeably discuss the advantages and drawbacks of the SHP and possibilities for future improvements.

Hong Kong pioneered the rail plus property (R+P) model based on the principle of transit-oriented development and value capture, and this model of railway development is practiced around the world today. But Hong Kong’s implementation of integrated railway and property development continues to stand out because it is a rare example of railway transit development that does not need government subsidy. The Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited (MTRCL), the sole operator of Hong Kong’s railway system, funds railway construction, expansion, and operation entirely with revenue from real estate development around train stations. While property development remains central to the success of Hong Kong’s implementation of the R+P model, credit should also be given to several other factors including non-financial support from the government. Hong Kong exports its unique approach to railway development to other places, even as it suffers criticism at home for not helping to alleviate Hong Kong’s acute shortage of affordable housing.

This case study aims to provide readers some familiarity with:

• The history of the R+P model in Hong Kong;

• Features of the R+P model of public transit development;

• Examples of how the R+P model is implemented in other cities; and

• Advantages and disadvantages of the P+R model;

By the end of this case study, readers should also be able to discuss how the R+P model could (or may not) work in their respective home cities.

Abstract

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is one of the busiest airports in the world. It is connected to about 180 destinations through more than 1,000 daily flights by more than 100 airlines. In fear of the saturation of the flight movements, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) suggested in its ‘HKIA Master Plan 2030’ in 2011, two routes for further development – to enhance the existing two-runway system or to upgrade to a Three-Runway System (3RS). Following public consultation, the government approved this multi-billion-dollar runway project in March 2012, and confirmed its funding plan in 2016. Some believed it is of vital importance to develop the third runway in order to maintain the global leading position of the HKIA in the aviation industry. Through enhancing the air connectivity and quality of airport services, the third-runway is expected to bring long-term economic benefits to Hong Kong’s economy. Yet, some had reservations in whether it is worthwhile to sacrifice the environment to make way for development. The building of the third-runway involves a number of major works such as land reclamation and expansion of existing terminals. Putting aside the huge economic cost, there were other concerns that have sparked debate within the civil society on whether this infrastructure project was worth it or not.

Learning Objective

This case considers the policy dilemma on whether the government should expand the existing two-runway system or build the third runway to increase airport capacity. It outlines the background of air transport system in Hong Kong and the potential impacts of the proposed policy. Taking stakeholders’ attitudes and concerns, as discussed in the case, into account, students are expected to discuss other viable options and/or mitigations measures to balance interests.