We are seeing that many people in public are choosing their words and decisions very carefully, Herbert Chow, owner of Hong Kong's renowned high-end children's clothing chain Chickeeduck says in an interview with finews.com. He also reflects on the cultural change in the city and the threat to its financial hub status.


Herbert Chow, from your perspective as a successful entrepreneur and banking client, is Hong Kong’s long-term status as an international financial center at risk?

Yes, most definitely. Already, we are seeing that many people in public are choosing their words and decisions very carefully. They may even choose not to laugh as loudly as before about certain issues. Some sectors are hit harder than others. The entertainment industry is an obvious example where certain content will be constrained. This is no different in the financial sector.

You may recall, for example, a chief economist at a Chinese bank that was allegedly reprimanded just for claiming that the negative economic impact of the SARS outbreak was greater than the pro-democracy protests. The new environment is going to make many people feel uneasy.

What could be some outcomes as a result of this new environment?

I have many friends in finance and when we chat, we often joke about how there are very few industries that openly criticize and even mock U.S. President Donald Trump more than theirs.

«I think this kind of cultural change could be the major reason to drive expatriates to leave Hong Kong»

But if there is some major Chinese state-backed corporation with an unfair valuation, you better think twice. In the past, it was safe to speak freely but I don’t think you can do that any longer. This will encourage more risky behavior and investor interests could be compromised.

Does this have any implications for expatriate workers?

I think this kind of cultural change, more than anything else, could be the major reason to drive expatriates to leave Hong Kong as it could become a place they may no longer enjoy.

For so many years, Hong Kong has been an attractive city with a highly ranked quality of life because it had no constraints with low taxes and strong connectivity.

Yes, but moving forward if I am looking at it from an expat’s perspective and I am culturally fine with the situation, I would think: why not Shanghai? It would be a bigger city with many opportunities and, of course, much larger housing at the same price.

In light of recent developments, do you think there is a place for politics and business to co-exist?

I don’t think politicians and businessmen should mix but I think there is a place for politics within businesses.

«I will continue to use my business to spread this positive political message»

I have been baptized by my experience from displaying the «Lady Liberty» (a local pro-democracy symbol) statue and by how many Hong Kong people embraced such an activity. We were very happy with their vote of confidence and their expressed love for free speech, free press and other freedoms. I will continue to use my business to spread this positive political message to our central government.


Lady 513

Born in 1964, Herbert Chow Siu-lung spent over a decade as a marketing executive for various top brands in Hong Kong before acquiring Chickeeduck in 1999 and since serving as its CEO. Chow was featured in media headlines earlier this year after displaying «Lady Liberty» statue in one of his stores in a move he describes as an attempt to reinvigorate democratic principles and discourage fear against open dialogue.

In July, he also announced his decision to contest for the seat of sports, performing arts, culture and publication functional constituency in Hong Kong’s legislature. Elections for the legislature were originally planned for Sunday on September 6 but have been delayed, a controversial decision the government claims has nothing to with politics.