US Election: What if Hong Kong could vote?
HONG KONG — As part of GlobalPost's project to interview 100 people in 20 locations around the world about the 2012 US election, we asked people in Hong Kong:
Who do you want to win the 2012 US election?
Will the election affect your country?
How has your view of the US changed since President Obama took office?
What should the next US president do?
- Name: Brian Chan
- Location: Hong Kong
- Occupation: Real-estate account manager
- Age: 30
- I would vote for: Obama
The election's impact: "I don't think the president of America could change anything — they will be the same to China. To me they are trying to constrain China, they want to surround China. From Bush to Obama, it's the same — they are helping Philippines, Korea, Japan. At the same time, politically the president can't change the system himself."
My view: "I would say improved, because he wasn't as cocky as Bush. You always felt like he [Bush] was bullying people. Maybe Obama is doing the same things, but he does better PR. At least you can talk to him. He's more popular as a president."
Top priority: "Try to make America a more peaceful place. I've been to America so many times and I always know somebody in a family who's been shot. My ex-girlfriend's neighbor shot someone and killed himself. There's a gun problem."
- Name: Mark Yeo
Location: Hong Kong - Occupation: Asset manager and entrepreneur
- Age: 32
- I would vote for: Obama
The election's impact: "Hong Kong's dollar is pegged to the US dollar, so as an investor we're watching the Americans pretty closely: what's gonna happen to the currency, number one, and number two, a lot of trade from the US that is going through Hong Kong to China."
My view: "Since Obama's become president, watching the Republican debates on the Hong Kong side has made my opinon of parts of the US go down a bit. Watching the things they're arguing about, for example gay marriage, 'Obamacare' — [it] has affected me. I didn't realize that people are so polarized there. There are such opposite views with such opposite information. It's very hard to come together and make a compromise. What's also shocking is also how the Republicans are not trying to do their best for the economy, and are just trying to hold out for this mythical 'no tax for the rich people' thing. They're holding the American economy hostage to get what they want. So I wonder, how can politicans do that to their country? I don't think my view has improved but it's not because of Obama."
Top priority: "He should try to get some growth going, and make sure people get jobs, so you don't have any civil unrest, and people have money to spend."
- Name: Mandy Yau
- Location: Hong Kong
- Occupation: Cafe worker
- Age: 25
- I would vote for: Undecided
The election's impact: "The Hong Kong dollar is in a relationship with the US dollar. And we are a part of China. And China maybe has anger toward the US."
My view: "Worse. Because the economy is worse than before. After he became president, lots of Hong Kong people lost money with the banking problems in 2008."
Top priority: "I never thought about it … I don't know."
- Name: Narsing Teneo
Location: Hong Kong - Occupation: Cook and live-in maid
- Age: 54
- I would vote for: Romney
The election's impact: "I think it doesn't matter much who is president. I have the feeling that the US is very friendly and will continue to support us. Whoever is the president will be friendly to [my home country] the Philippines, but that is my opinion."
My view: "I think improved, but not so much. One thing — the killing of bin Laden — but then it didn't really do that much, I think bin Laden wasn't doing much. He [Obama] does a good job, I think."
Top priority: "Economics first. They have to address the economy. There is a lot of problems, and it's unstable. Being a big country, they have to do something to make the economy more stable."
- Name: May Cheung
Location: Hong Kong - Occupation: Trading company owner
- Age: 40
- I would vote for: Romney
The election's impact: "I think it will matter — the US government always affects the Hong Kong government. We have to have a different view from the other side, we need another country to balance China."
My view: "It's better than under Bush because Obama's not like Bush, he's not always like, 'The US is always the best.' Other countries feel like they have a voice."
Top priority: "I think just keep your eyes on the Chinese government, to help promote democracy in Hong Kong."
GlobalPost series: See what the world thinks about election 2012