Doing right by Hong Kong is also a plus for China

THESE are dark days for Hong Kong. Its freedom index has just been further downgraded by Washington-based Freedom House to 61 points out of 100, continuing the downward spiral of recent years - a result of increasing interference by Beijing in the territory's domestic affairs despite China's promises of autonomy.

The abduction of Chinese billionaire Xiao Jianhua from his residence in the Four Seasons Hotel on the eve of Chinese New Year is a sign that, despite global criticism over the kidnapping of Hong Kong booksellers in 2015, Beijing continues to take actions that recklessly jeopardise Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre, damaging China's own interests in the process.

After all, Hong Kong is still a big asset for China, for example, in helping in the internationalisation of the Chinese currency. Beijing likes to say that what is good for China is good for Hong Kong. But it is equally true that what is good for Hong Kong is good for China.