Depends on particular situation and incomes. Generally, in China and elsewhere, men are paid more for the same work, so, on average, they should pay more on the rent. However, if the guy has the woman also doing all the housework, that should be figured in too. Or if, for example, one party didn't work for their money but inherited it or made most of it in terms of ridiculous profits etc.

Thing is, paying your own way is good for you in many ways - independence, self-respect etc. - even if it hurts a bit.

Average Chinese custom is that the man brings home the cash and the woman keeps track of it & handles most purchases. Position of women in society generally has gone down a bit since the re-introduction of capitalism.

You're talking about two radically different places with very different histories, ethnic compositions, culture, geographies etc. - I don't think they compare well. But if you simply mean Hong Kong will come under more direct control from the center, I think that's possible, and could well be handled wrongly.

Haven't heard the horror stories - has anybody actually experienced any of them, or are they just hearsay?

Overgeneralizations everywhere, and not enough information about the particular situation to make them relevant.

The article is fine as description as far as it goes, though it leaves out the concentration of wealth in Hong Kong, the places where and people who produce it, and the hands which control it (but then it's FP). I am interested in this issue but I can't figure out what you are trying to say here. Anyway, I suggest we all watch Hong Kong closely, as I'm sure there will be Events, abut which we may or may not be able to learn about clearly and speak about as we please.