What attitude should a country take?

HK has recently been in the throes of a debate about the nationality of its recently appointed under-secretaries. These people, in the true spirit of self preservation and survival of the fittest, most capable and able, did, as any others in the history of mankind, and made alternative arrangements when their alma terra was due to be handed back to it's terra mata. They left and got themselves British, Canadian, Australian or USA passports. Since, in the run up to the handover, who was to know what would happen? Certainly no-one expected the phoenix like rise of China, and the recent decline of the West. It's called hedging one's bets.

I have a more mundane problem. I am the proud owner of 3 driving licenses and no car. When on holiday we will have to rent a car. But, by some cruel twist of fate, all 3 driving licenses are due to expire in the next few months. So I enquired at the South African consulate. They don't renew drivers licenses. Has to be done in the country, personally. The Dutch consulate. They also don't renew licenses. Has to be done in the Netherlands. Fortunately not personally. The paperwork is IMMENSE and time consuming and onerous and involves trips to the consulate for proof of existence and residence. My HK driving license is dependent on the existence of one of the other 2 licenses, so can't be renewed without a valid other license. What is a girl to do? Well, shut up, pay up and bow at the temple of the consulate I guess.

But that begs the further question. It's all very fine and well for us global nomads to be wandering around the world at lib and at will, picking of the finest each has to offer and whinging like mad when things don't suit our sensibilities. But what is a country to do? Even while I'm outraged that I can't renew my SA license from afar, I also secretly applaud the powers that be for giving me the finger that says, well, if you're not here, why should we give you a license, go and get it from where the grass is greener. I have to wonder just what are or should be the mutual rights and obligations between a country, its citizenry, its expatriates and its citizens which straddle it and another 'comfort zone' / 'good' passport nation?

I do however believe that doors should mutually be left open. There is a sound logical and economic rationale for being really nice to your citizens. It's the prodigal son thing. Something I am now slowly beginning to understand. In emotional terms, we, your citizens are your people, your offspring, the fruit of your loins. In economic terms - treat us well, you never know when you may need us. In your age and infirmity you may need champions and someone to pay your medical bills.