[Skyhook]

Deano,

I can understand that us Aussies have a soft spot for Hong Kong. We certainly contributed in our own way, aviation being the most obvious area, with the co founding of Cathay Pacific in 1946. Maybe you didnt know that. An Aussie pilot not much older than you Dean, co founded his first airline with the help of an American pilot, and his American venture capitalist..

Not to mention the many Aussies that were here during the early years of the Kai Tak Airport, a tiny little outpost back then. You'll find a lot of history if you bothered to research this once Commonwealth territory. Or do you just ignore anything that was contributed by other than HK Chinese prior to 1997 ?

I like Hong Kong, I love France and Italy, I am a new Zealand Citizen by fathers nationality as well, I respect the United Kingdom, but no location other than Australia ie Melbourne is my birth hometown.

What ever floats your boat Dean... I still think you are confused about this whole topic.

Its all a bit weird, as we all do our bit to making this city what it is, as we have always done. It's all based on accumulation of shared talent, locally and internationally. New people arrive here all the time, and luckilly as a joint expat community we all do our best to pool together. Making our lives easier in a foreign land, not that Hong kong is all that foreign, thanks to obvious British infrastructural traits. Like street signage, public transport and a rule of law, a constitution that was penned in English etc etc etc.

Imagine if we never existed here, and HK was left untouched by international influence, never leased to the British for 100 years... What are the chances that this city would be just another Shenzhen ?

It certainly wouldnt appear to be anything like what we enjoy now, the Tsing ma bridge wouldnt exist, nor would Chek Lap Kok airport.

Anyway its been an interesting debate as such, if not a tad, off beat.