Our Return to Hong Kong

As we return to Hong Kong, we find things here both familiar and new.  As most of you know who may be following our Asian blogs, in recent years I’ve have the opportunity and pleasure of journeying at least twice to Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul.  Each has brought new things to learn and experience, as well as the growing familiarity of returning to things I like.  A delight watching the evening lights across the bay come on!


But Hong Kong has been facing difficult political changes.  Once a British colony (since the 19th century, after the Opium War of 1840, and the Treaty of Nanking in 1842), it was returned to China in 1997 (to be finalized during the following 50 year period!), after which Hong Kong would be “fully” part of mainland China.  

 But this spring the chief administrator, Carrie Lam, appointed by government in Beijing (not elected by Hong Kong residents), proposed that China would now be able to extradite Hong Kong residents to mainland for legal jurisdiction.  This sparked widespread opposition, as there were fears that this would make residents vulverable to political persecution, over and above any responsibility for "ordinary crimes" they might have committed. 

 Another march to the legislative building was organized for July 1, the 22nd anniversary of the 1997 agreement to return Hong Kong to mainland control. The atmosphere was charged all over the city--would about a third of the city's population turn up for the march the next day? Church leaders organized a 'Blessing Hong Kong' Service the day before (which Barbara and I attended) at St. John's (Anglican) Cathedral. The choir was inspiring as were those speakers I could understand (there was a mixture of Cantonese and English), speaking on the theme 'From Brokenness to Hope." 

Over a million marchers had walked in the earlier demoncrations, and marched in protest to the new legislation on July 1st.  Most were in their 20s and 30's, but middle-aged families with kids were also  well represented (and there were even a handful of us non-Chinese residents), Near us were thousands of people who participated and walked peacefully, but a small number broke into the legislature and vandalized the building.  

Following these events, the legislation has been either tabled or withdrawn, and Lam is still in office (ultimately accountable to Beijing rather than people in Hong Kong).  In a larger context, Hong Kong has economic clout on its side- many of the bigger banks have a home there, so there are practical reasons now to deal too harshly for the HK residents.  One the other hand, the local papers (I read the South China Morning Post in English) note that the economy of the mainland has been growing rapidly, and is not as dependent on Hong Kong as it might have been.  On the other hand the papers have been noting that countries South Korea have pulling some of their investments and production from the mainland. This could make the mainland nervous.  There's some talk of some people emigrating.

Politics aside, I'm enjoying exploring Taoist temples (there seem to be few Buddhist temples here for some reason, apart from the wonderful Chi Lin Nunnery with its beautiful gardens), and some nice parks (a welcome presence considering the population density and the many many very tall buildings)-- plus the handy subway system, and the street markets.

And Barbara's been enjoying her class (teaching 9-6 each day!).  And frequently eating Chinese style fish!  Yum!




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Some visits to historic mosques and temples

Image
In the past few days Barbara's been very busy teaching (leaving each day around 8:30 in the morning, and not returning until 7:00), and I (Bruce) have been exploring parts of Beijing on my own.  I'm slowly figuring out where things are--not always easy in a city of 25 million people! We did have some days to explore together before her teaching began, as you could tell from her first entry.  We spent much of a day at a large park full of families, and you'll note in the photo here that she did just fine working around the language barrier when getting a snack (and of course, as we often have, depending on the kindness of strangers). We also had time to visit not only one of the oldest temples in Beijing, but also the oldest mosque, the Niujie Mosque established in the 900's as Islam spread to the east.  As an historic mosque complex, they are used to visitors, and we enjoyed wandering around the complex (in anticipation of our visit, Barbara had covered her hair...
Read more

Miscellaneous thoughts: Shanghai Parks and students

Image
It is a rainy evening here in Shanghai. We are in our hotel room, watching world news on CGTN (the English language world news station) after a dinner of tea, cherries and mangosteens.  Its a good time to share more thoughts and photos. Mixed neighborhoods near People's Park Traditional Shikomen alleys Water brush Calligraphy class I love walking and exploring different neighborhoods in this city.  Things change quickly, a fancy, modern shopping mall is across the street from older, smaller and narrower alley-ways surrounded by two story red brick homes with laundry hanging from widows drying racks. Fequently we are detoured around areas of street repairs or deep pits that will soon be tall buildings. But despite the density of buildings, moving vehicles and people, pocket parks are everywhere. These parks are always clean, filled with growth that blocks noise and creates a peaceful haven, away from the hustle and bustle of the near-by street. ...
Read more

So, how are the children?

Image
We are often drawn to China's youth.  Barbara has been doing some of her work here with young people, and so there's a real if brief connection, particularly because coming of age people have been important in both our lives in our teaching and friendships for so long.  But of course we are drawn to the kids we see--on the subway with a grandparent, in the parks--and in the museums, such as the (wonderful) Shanghai Natural History Museum at left (kids are the smaller creatures in the photo at left, looking up in some awe at the larger creatures done in real-life size (some even move and make plausible sounds!). As a former science geek (I went to college to become an astronomer), I found the museum so well done and informative--accounts of the creation of the universe, the plausible origins of human beings (which the little girl in the photo at right is drawn to), the variety of very small and large creatures in the past and present, all were very up to date.  The ...
Read more