Hong Kong has an image of a low tax capitalist haven. To some extent that's true. To a much greater extent, it is all about special interests and cartels maintaining their happy little ways of life (and money). As usual Conrad has done a good job of pointing out the unabashed avarice of HK's lavishly overpaid public servants. HK must be the only place on Earth where working for the Government is more lucractive than the public sector. With perhaps the exception of several corrupt African regimes. And Singapore.

Low taxes doesn't mean they still need to be wasted.