Last month, I made my annual visit to Hong Kong to see my relatives there. At first glance, Hong Kong hardly changed. The one thing I noticed was the disappearance of trash cans, in certain parts of the city. Trash cans, once a symbol of prosperity (and waste), is now an object that protestors can set ablaze. You do not see them in Tsim Sha Tsui, or Causeway Bay, where protestors hang out.
The other noticeable thing was how early some shops were closing. News reported that citizens are now keeping track of which businesses are on the side of yellow (pro-freedom, anti-government) and which are on the side of blue (pro police or government, anti-yellow). Shops and restaurants have been now closing early, especially if they consider themselves an attraction to “anti-yellow” protests, rightly or wrongly.
I have acquaintances at HK Polytechnic University, so I tried to visit the vicinity of the campus to see if I could tell how the university was faring. The police blockade went around HK polytechnic about two blocks before one could reach the main campus building.
You could still see the torn up pavement nearby, as a result of the conflict.
By the following Wednesday, and when protestors were largely gone, it was patched up – progress.
There were hardly any protestors remaining at HK Polytechnic by late November, so the blockade receded to just around the campus and the surrounding streets and bridges. Over the bridge, you could still glimpse at small bits of chaos that became HK Poly in November.
Ambulances and police cars were waiting for any sudden turn of events, in case any protesters still remained. Groups of police and firemen were entering the campus to look for safety hazards. According to news stories, over 3,000 petrol bombs, or remnants of them, were found.
As I came down the bridge to the Hung Hom bus stops near the Cross Harbor tunnel, I saw umbrellas piled up on the bridge facing the streets, and facing me – reminders of how much tear gas was sprayed on the protestors. News reported that 10,000 volleys of tear gas were used in protests within the last few months.
Slogans were still visible on walls and pavements – most likely the last to disappear, at least for a while.
eta:
I was asked about the economic impact this has on HK. Concerts and events are getting cancelled. Eason Chan's concert was getting cancelled this month because of the recent disruption in transportation. There were rumors that big finance firms might look for another office in another city. When I left, the Hung Hom Cross Harbor Tunnel just reopened after the latest round of equipment repairs due to the damage rioters caused. More than 1 MTR stations had to close and when I left, the university station was still not reopened. MTR (subway) took a big hit as it was seen as pro-government.