AT A RECENT Ladies Day meeting held at the Old Court Hotel, Symonds Yat, members of the Vaga Probus Club gathered to hear from Adrian Lewis, who retired in Hong Kong just before the pandemic.

Mr Lewis presented his insights on the current state of Hong Kong and its future, with a focus on the challenges the region faces in the coming years.

He began by addressing what he sees as an overly negative media portrayal of Hong Kong, particularly surrounding the pro-democracy protests and Beijing’s increasing control.

While these issues are significant, he suggested that the media often overlooks the bigger question facing the region—what will happen when the Sino-British agreement expires in 2047?

At present, Hong Kong operates under the "one country, two systems" model, allowing it to maintain a separate legal system based on common law, a legacy of British rule.

However, Mr Lewis highlighted that this unique arrangement is set to end in 22 years, raising questions about the future governance and autonomy of the region.

Mr Lewis and his wife Shelia, shared some personal reflections on daily life in Hong Kong, painting a picture of the city’s vibrant culture. Hong Kong boasts the highest life expectancy in the world, despite not offering free healthcare.

They also noted the city’s lack of celebrity culture and the abundance of public holidays, with Chinese New Year being the most significant, marked by dragon dances and the tradition of giving red envelopes.

While Adrian acknowledged the ongoing political tensions, he ended on an optimistic note, suggesting that there is a good chance the 50-year agreement between China and the UK could be extended beyond 2047.

Vaga Probus Club is a men’s group based in Ross that meets twice a month, with visitors always welcome.