【明報專訊】The year 2020 changed the entire world. A once-in-a-century pandemic has rendered what we took for granted impossible to attain. The international order, which was at a historical crossroads, is now surrounded by mists of uncertainty, which make it hard to make out the road ahead. Hong Kong is weighed down by worries, and many people are at a loss what to do next. As a new year has come, the hope of the people is no doubt the coming of blissful times after the world plumbed the depths of misfortunes as well as great construction after so much destruction. However, the possibility of things continuing their downward trend, so much so that there will only be destruction but no construction, can absolutely not be underestimated. At the turn of the year, the roll-out of vaccines and a new occupant of the White House will bring about change to the world. However, it remains uncertain when the pandemic will be brought under control and whether the global economy can rebound strongly. The swearing-in of Biden will mean a new phase of China-US rivalry, and Hong Kong cannot stand in brilliant isolation. Whether the crazy rides of the stock markets, triggered by the money-printing of advanced nations, will reach even more highs or pave the way for a burst of the bubbles will also affect Hong Kong.