South China Morning Post - Hong Kong feedToday, 04:22
Germany's representative in Hong Kong has expressed optimism about the future of the city, saying the pro-democracy sit-ins have not had a significant impact on the economy.
Consul general Nikolaus Graf Lambsdorff also praised the city's young people as "impressive".
Lambsdorff made his remarks after a lunch hosted by the Legislative Council yesterday which was attended by diplomatic representatives of 30 countries.
"I am optimistic for the future of Hong Kong," he said. "I find Hong Kong still a very competitive, well-administered, liveable place."
While the government, Beijing loyalists and business chambers accuse the Occupy Central movement, now entering its eighth week, of damaging the economy, the German diplomat said the impact was insignificant as the economic statistics looked "pretty good" overall.
Lambsdorff also sought to clarify that he had not intended to back the protesters in an earlier speech that some interpreted as supporting the movement.
Speaking in German on October 7, at an event to celebrate the 24th anniversary of Germany's reunification, the diplomat said: "It is not for me to publicly judge political developments in Hong Kong. But … I believe that Hong Kong can be proud of its youth. I am sure that the efforts to make Hong Kong more democratic will be good for Hong Kong politically, but also economically."
Yesterday, Lambsdorff said his speech - attended by Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor - had been misquoted on a number of occasions.
"What the students are doing here is not legal … I am a civil servant from a foreign country, how could I praise the students?" he asked. "But I have found young people [generally] in Hong Kong quite impressive."
He also said his comments were not directed at Lam.
"As you know, I said it in German," he said. "It wasn't even a public speech … and it has nothing to do with Carrie Lam of course."
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1642422/german-diplomat-confident-about-hong-kong -- gReader
