The U.S. Department of State has re-issued a travel warning against heading to China, including Hong Kong and Macau, due to the possibility of being wrongfully detained and the arbitrary enforcement of laws. Both mainland China and Macau are designated as “Level 3”, recommending travelers reconsider travel there. Hong Kong is considered quite safe with some petty crimes like thefts, vandalism, and burglaries, but serious crime acts are rare, especially against tourists. As there is no place in the world with 100 safety rates, it is always recommended to be cautious when traveling to Hong Kong.
Inbound travelers to Hong Kong must continue to follow COVID-19 rules, including being fully vaccinated and undergoing a pre-departure rapid antigen test (RAT) within 24 hours before departure. Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is committed to safeguarding the airport and the well-being of its passengers and staff. Inbound travelers still have to present negative results from PCR tests conducted within 48 hours or rapid antigen tests (RAT) within 24 hours before departure.
As of November 19, 2019, Hong Kong is generally considered quite safe to visit, but there are some caveats. Violent crime is low, but pickpocketing and other street crime can happen. It is important to take extra care of passports, credit cards, and money in crowded areas and when traveling to the Special Administrative Region (SAR).
The Australian Government advises travelers to exercise a high degree of caution in Hong Kong due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws. The CDC and WHO recommend vaccinations for Hong Kong, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, and mumps. China is generally a safe country to travel to, as long as travelers know their destination and stay alert.
📹 Don’t Go To Hong Kong Now (Even on Connecting Flights)
Article 23 in Hong Kong is real, and it’s very, very bad. ◘ Support me on Patreon to talk to me directly and support my work …
Is it safe to travel to China right now in 2024?
China is currently ranked 19th in the world’s safest countries by Number of the People, a global ranking platform, ahead of countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands. In the Global Peace Index, published by Vision of Humanity, China is ranked 80th, a position comparable to that of Tunisia or Equatorial Guinea. In its annual Safest Places ratings, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has ranked China 21st out of 42 countries. These rankings offer a comprehensive overview of the safety measures in place in China.
Can i travel from Hong Kong in to China now?
Starting July 10, 2024, non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau can obtain a five-year travel permit for short-term purposes such as investment, visiting relatives, tourism, business, seminars, and exchanges. However, they cannot engage in work, study, or newsgathering activities. Permit holders can spend up to 90 days per stay in Mainland China and enjoy self-service clearance at control points. Eligibility is not determined by the number of stars on Hong Kong identity cards, but there are no restrictions on nationality or occupation.
The application process is through China Travel Service (Holdings) in both Hong Kong and Macau, and it takes 20 working days for the permit to be issued. The first application costs HK$260, with renewals and replacements also processed in Mainland China.
Is it safe to travel to Hong Kong China?
The Hong Kong Safeguarding National Security Law, which will come into effect in March 2024, imposes rigorous national security regulations that may be interpreted in a broad manner. Protests and large gatherings have the potential to escalate into violent incidents, and the government has the authority to prohibit unapproved demonstrations and may detain protesters. It is therefore recommended that caution be exercised and that participation in protests, demonstrations, and large gatherings in Hong Kong be avoided.
Is Hong Kong tourist friendly?
Hong Kong is a convenient destination for travelers, offering visa-free entry and smooth airport transfers. Payment methods in Hong Kong include cash, credit, Octopus, or mobile. Most international credit cards, such as American Express, VISA, and MasterCard, are accepted at hotels, shops, and restaurants. Some stores also accept mobile payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay. However, some shops and restaurants only accept cash or Octopus cards, so it’s recommended to visit a currency exchange before venturing out.
Alternatively, you can purchase or rent an Octopus card or download the tourist version of the Octopus app to your mobile phone. Using an Octopus card or app makes public transportation and shopping at convenience stores, supermarkets, and restaurants easier.
Is China safe for tourists?
China, governed by a single political party, is open to foreign visitors, but they should be aware of political and cultural sensitivities. Foreign journalists should avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, as Chinese authorities enforce public order strictly. Anti-foreign feelings or attitudes may make them targets. Stay informed and follow local authorities’ advice. During periods of tension, authorities may block news reporting, text messaging, internet access, and international telephone lines.
Is Russia safe to visit?
Russian security services have arrested US citizens on false charges, denied fair treatment, and convicted them without credible evidence. They have also opened questionable investigations against US citizens engaged in religious activities. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has destabilized southwestern Russia, leading to martial law in border areas with Ukraine. Under martial law, authorities can set curfews, seize property, and restrict movement. U. S. citizens should avoid travel to these areas.
Russian authorities have questioned, detained, and arrested people for “acting against Russia’s interests”, targeting individuals for posting on social media or supporting anti-Russian groups. The current “LGBT propaganda” law bans discussion of LGBTQI+ related topics, and the Supreme Court labeled the “international LGBT movement” as extremist in November 2023.
Terrorists continue to plan attacks in Russia, targeting tourist areas, transport hubs, markets, government buildings, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, events, schools, and airports. U. S. government employees under Embassy security responsibility are not permitted to travel to the North Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mt. Elbrus.
Is it safe to visit China now?
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) government has been accused of arbitrarily enforcing local laws, including issuing exit bans on US citizens and other foreign citizens, without fair and transparent processes. The Department of State has determined that there is a risk of wrongful detention of US nationals in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which has prompted travelers to reconsider their travel plans to mainland China and exercise increased caution when traveling to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Are Chinese allowed to go to Hong Kong?
Hong Kong’s immigration and visa policy is independent from China, requiring entry permits or visas from the Hong Kong Immigration Department or through Chinese diplomatic missions overseas for activities like study, employment, or business operations. Macau residents have visa-free access for short visits, while mainland residents can only use a PRC passport if transiting to a third country or having a sticker-styled HKSAR Entry Permit on their passport. Otherwise, they must obtain a Two-way Permit (EEP) with the appropriate exit endorsement from the Chinese Ministry of Public Security before visiting Hong Kong.
Immigration status in Hong Kong is determined by a combination of nationality and residence status. Even a Chinese national with the right of abode in Hong Kong has a slightly different status to a foreign national with the right of abode in Hong Kong, as the former can never lose the right of abode status, while the latter can lose it if they do not enter Hong Kong for 36 months.
Persons with the “right of abode” or “right to land” can enter Hong Kong without holding any visa, without any conditions of stay, and may not be subject to a removal order. No deportation order may be imposed on a person with the right of abode.
Do Russians need a visa to Hong Kong?
A visa is a prerequisite for individuals intending to engage in business or tourism in Hong Kong for a period exceeding 14 days, including those whose visits will extend beyond the aforementioned duration.
Is it safe to travel to China now?
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) government has been accused of arbitrarily enforcing local laws, including issuing exit bans on US citizens and other foreign citizens, without fair and transparent processes. The Department of State has determined that there is a risk of wrongful detention of US nationals in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which has prompted travelers to reconsider their travel plans to mainland China and exercise increased caution when traveling to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Is China safe to visit?
The BHTP research demonstrates that China’s safety perceptions exhibit variation by demographic group. Specifically, millennials and LGBTQ+ travelers are more likely to hold the belief that the country is safe. The U. S. State Department has designated mainland China and Macau as Level 3, while Hong Kong has been classified as Level 2. The primary concern is the occurrence of arbitrary arrests and detentions. GeoSure Global provides numerical ratings of cities, rather than countries. However, a discernible pattern emerges when these ratings are examined.
📹 Is it still safe to visit Hong Kong?
Is it still safe to visit Hong Kong? SCMP Chief News Editor Yonden Lhatoo says it is, in a strange way, in spite of everything.
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was in HK at the end of 2019 after visiting it 15 years previous. Loved the place and great people. Thought the trouble making was just a minor local issue until i looked into it and noticed a small memorial shrine. I then stopped fearing the protesters and instead started worrying for the people and their future freedoms. I wish them well in their long battle against the oppression
I lived in Hong Kong from December 2021 until October 2023. In that time alone. You could literally feel the city dying. I had visited the place throughout the 10’s, as my wife is from HK & I’d visit her while we were dating. It was such a magical & amazing place before China caused Covid. My wife is worried about her family & friends who are stuck there. I adore the HK people. They are great & i loved teaching their kids. It’s really heartbreaking to see how the city has fallen.
I decided to never go to HK again after my last trip there. I have many good friends in HK, but last time I visited, I was delayed at arrivals, then got out and on the Concourse a “person” walked up to me, flashed a credential and grilled me, demanded to see my passport, was rude and obnoxious. Then, I believe I was followed from the airport. I went to my hotel, then to a restaurant where I gave a restaurant worker some money to use their phone and phoned my friends explaining I wouldn’t visit them or call them from the hotel or any phone the Secret Police could detect. I cut my visit short, left vowing to never visit again, my friends now visit me.
I’m proud to say, my Aunt helped develop the TESOL program in China back in the 1970s. She is in her mid 90s now and has retired from teaching. Upon learning of these new developments she said, “I’m sorry you’ll never see one if my most favorite places in the world” Which is saying something! Throughout her career, she has taught ESL in six continents and hundreds of countries. The memories of China will always remain in her heart.
So, just in case you don’t know, and I’m pretty sure you don’t know. The US have similar laws, just worse. In fact, you can be arrested and jailed anywhere in the world by the CIA if you commit a crime like bribing using USD or if you used a US based server during the crime. It’s not even espionage or anything like that. Just bribing a company that has nothing to do with the USA with USD and you can be jailed. And it’s not theoretical, it has happened to a french businessman who was jailed for 3 years.
It’s not the first time someone diverted a plane to arrest a dissident: “According to court documents, Belarus allegedly engineered the diversion of Ryanair Flight 4978 (the Flight) – which was carrying four U.S. nationals and more than 100 other passengers on board – while it was in flight on May 23, 2021, to arrest a dissident Belarusian journalist who was on board. Belarusian government authorities fabricated the threat as a means to exercise control over the Flight and force it to divert from its course toward the original destination of Vilnius, and instead land in Minsk. Upon landing in Minsk, the Belarusian opposition activist Roman Protasevich was removed from the aircraft and arrested on the grounds that he was listed on a Belarusian wanted list. His girlfriend, Sofia Sapega, a Russian citizen, was also removed and detained without explanation. The European Humanities University in Vilnius confirmed she was detained and demanded her release. Sapega faced three criminal charges “each of which carry sentences of between 3 and 15 years in prison” and was subsequently sentenced to 6 years in prison for “inciting social enmity and discord” and “illegally collecting and disseminating information about the private life of an unnamed person without his consent” ” Yep, this could be you, depending on how popular your dissident post gets online.
香港真的越來越危險，然而中國最近卻不斷邀各國Youtubers去那裏拍旅遊影片，大家不得不小心! Hong Kong is really getting more and more dangerous, but China has recently been inviting Youtubers from all over the world to shoot travel articles there, everyone has to be careful! P. S. I noticed you look a lot like Ritchie Neville, one of the members of the band “Five”.
I visited HK in 2019. I went there in days of relative calm, in BETWEEN days of the massive uprisings. It was still beautiful, and I had great memories. I do plan to visit there again, once freedom and substantive human rights reign there again. This may be a PIPE DREAM now. But I hope it happens within our collective lifetimes. God bless the people of Hong Kong.
If China had allowed the “One country, two systems” policy to flourish in HK, as agreed in their treaty with UK, they might have been able credibly to offer Taiwan a similar arrangement, making Taiwan an autonomous democratic special administrative region of China. Now reunification by force is China’s only option. The lives inevitably to be lost in such a conflict will be yet another demographic hit the Chinese nation would be obliged to endure.
I had visited Hong Kong many times in the past and loved it every time, but I wouldn’t go anywhere near the place anymore. It’s such a shame because there was so much to love about the place and its people, but sadly those days are now long gone. I really feel for the HKG citizens who do not have an escape route and are looking at a bleak future under the CCP.
I am a US Navy war-time veteran living in New Jersey. Hong Kongers currently are allowed to serve in the Chinese government, but BN(O) Hong Kongers are NOT even allowed to serve in the British Arm Forces. This is a fact. That is why I say that they have been treated as second class citizens in the UK. There is a famous motto among US veterans — Freedom is never free!
I lived there for many years, and it was such a wonderful experience. In fact, I’m now a HK permanent resident, but I’m about halfway through my allotted three-year “away time” before that lapses. I was hoping to go back before that, but in light of what I’ve learned from this article, and all of the comments posted, I don’t think that would be a very good idea at all. I have such great friendships that remain there. This is a pure tragedy.
I read about this on swedish news today where they highly recommend swedish citizens to refrain from visiting Hong Kong. The swedish consulate has issued a warning that these changes can have a severe impact on the safety and security of swedish citizens, would they travel to Hong Kong. If you compare the situation with the state of Russia, both of these show the same kind of opressive mentality towards its citizens and anyone who dares to oppose and expose what is going on. It is really really bad. And the citizens of these countries deserves better. I really like your work and also SerpentZA’s Glad you made it out of that god forsaken place with your family 👍
I just had a nice 3-hour conversation with a Chinese labmate, who’s quite vocal about not liking the CCP. Right as I was about to leave, I saw how another one of our Chinese students had positioned herself behind him and was taking pictures of us. This was right after graduation ceremonies so people were taking pictures of absolutely everything anyway, but the way she was clearly taking pictures of my face while talking with the other Chinese gave me chills. If I was previously hesitant about going to China due to possibly being detained by CCP if Finland ever does something to annoy them, I’m now quite certain I should stay completely away until the CCP is no more.
The Concrete Confessional blog guy has some insane stories about being an educational consultant for the children of China’s elite politicians / businesspeople/ celebrities. The first part is called “I Was Simon Song,” and he talks about the ominous political shifts of recent years in it, as well. It’s def worth checking out. He was in Shenzhen during the COVID lockdowns, the A4 protests, and the pro-democracy riots in Hong Kong, too.
Often articles on any social media platforms are biased (because people are free to have opinions, I respect that) but it is our own responsibility to choose the information we receive as they are often a result of propaganda, brain washing and only portraying/showing images the media wants people to believe. If there is anything I’ve learned in history or politics, it’s to evaluate the source and look at events/ news given from different perspectives (both for and against). Please do keep an open mind about politics. Everyone is welcomed in Hong Kong, and will always be. Although I do not completely agree with everything in the article, I’m glad to have come across people with different opinions. Thanks for the article mate! While I do appreciate the information and different perspectives given in the article, I do have a few notes to add. Although Article 23 has been passed last month, Hong Kong remains to be the same, the streets are filled with friendly locals (although some people can be rude, but the majority are nice), great food and a bustling and lively atmosphere. Politically it might had a few changes, but ‘freedom’ is still here. I genuinely find it interesting how people find it ‘unsafe’ when nothing big has actually happened. People can go out of their houses, don’t have to be worrying about robbed or killed. What is the freedom people want? People who say they are scared that the Chinese will do something/ monitor your phones/ no freedoms of speech/ surveillance everywhere… have you actually experienced that?
China didn’t create the pandemic to use as a cover to once and for all crush HK’s democracy movement, but once the pandemic took the world’s eyes off of HK, China wasted no time in quelling all resistance in HK. When the pandemic receded and the lights came back on, Hong Kong was fully assimilated into the mainland and all of its vaunted autonomy and freedoms were destroyed. It was clear it was happening, it’s just stunning how fast. Sad fo rthe people of Hong Kong, most of whom never wanted to be ruled by Beijing.
There are lots of foreigners living in Hong Kong 2023-24. The Indian community in Hong Kong is estimated to be nearly 44,140 (including Indian nationals and People of Indian origin) and approximately 32,790 hold Indian passports. Sindhis, Gujaratis and Punjabis (Sikh) form the largest component of the community. With an estimated 350,000 UK citizens living in Hong Kong there is a large British expat community in the city. The United States consulate estimates there are about 70,000 Americans in Hong Kong as of January 2023, a drop from 85,000 since its 2018 . As of the end of January 2024, the total number of Filipino DHs has gone up to 201,104, a rise of 11,004 from the same period last year. The Filipinos now comprise 55.6% of the total FDH population in Hong Kong, followed by Indonesia with 148,935 or 41.45%, of the overall figure of 359,296.11
I spent 2 weeks on a business trip to HK a few years before the place was given away. Overseas companies were offering HK employees ye opportunity to work abroad, in Australia for example, for enough time to qualify for automatic immigration to Aus if ghey wished to move away. They knew things would change. I have no idea how many took up the offer but when visiting Aus a couple of decades later the obvious changes in the social balance of the population, compared to a previous visit made a little before my HK trip, was noticeable. Wherher that was caused by the HK situation or the “western world” beinf in thrall to overseas students to fund the education systems or perhaps simply an officially actioned Chinese method of rolling out useful agents, was not clear.
As a libertarian, Hong Kong used to be my favorit territory as the closest example of libertarianism on Earth. I’ve visited Hong Kong many times over the years starting in 1970 and have spent about 9 months there. It saddens me what has happened to the people there and it saddens me that I won’t be able to visit the old Hong Kong again.
Number 23 has mythological and esoteric properties. Here is my point. In my opinion, it sounds like somebody in the CCP has been practicing Black Magic, according to Chinese traditions. Emperor Han and Ch’in turned China (of their time) into a Concentration camp. During the time of Confucius, whole cities were rounded up and buried alive with a Baron or Prince who died. Immortality is major in Chinese culture. I found texts that went into detail about doing human sacrifice that led the one doing the sacrifice, to a state of Immortality. I have friends who are from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong who are well learned in customs and culture of Ancient China. Death is a subject that they avoid. I told them that if a person uses death to gain an advantage, something is very wrong. After that, they told me about how in modern China, many wealthy people (many who are in the government) have actually been practicing Black Magic sacrifice practices. They would not tell me the names of those practices or go into detail. From what I can tell, it sounds like China is in a time of desperation. Like the War Lord era of the 1920s and 1930s. The creation of chaos and death in the hope of creating a miracle. It seems that the Orwellian scenario is being used by the powerful seeking a personal miracle.
I am from HK, yes, that is the worst thing to ever realise, the good old days will now remain in the pages of history. It is painful, to see how my home city is torn apart and this once vibrant, prosperous, arguably some of the freest cities in the world has completely collapsed in just 5 years. It feels worse when seeing the West adopts similar policies gradually, following the footsteps of HK since 2020 btw. Nothing is more precious and cherishable than freedom of speech. Peace and a many thanks for following up news about HK.
I remember back in 2008 when I had a flight from Sydney to Detroit… the travel agent actively ensured that my connecting flight would NOT be going through China, and it went through Japan instead. Back then I probably would have been fine had my connecting flight been through Beijing instead of Tokyo… China wasn’t as bad as it is now, and I wasn’t an outspoken opponent of the CCP yet. But I still feel like that travel agent did me a favour by setting up Tokyo as my connecting flight. I only wish I could have stayed a little longer… Japan is definitely a country I want to see more of than just the Narita International Airport. But nowadays… after what went down in Hong Kong a few years ago and how the protests failed to gain enough traction to preserve democracy and human rights there… I’m hardly surprised the place has been fully absorbed into the mainland rogue state the CCP is running. It’s all the more frustrating being in Australia, where politicians on both sides of the aisle, past and present are so thoroughly corrupted by the CCP, and where like minded activists like Drew Pavlou and Inty Elham are being persecuted for simply standing up for democracy and human rights.
Man, I was living in Taiwan for the 2010’s and visited HK a few times during that period. I was joking with a friend that HK was basically the Cantonese and British flavored version of Taiwan in the sense that it was a very free and progressive hub of East Asia. It’s crazy how fast the mainland China Zerg creep has spread there.
I’m actually okay with this. Mass protests and riots must be stopped at all cost. You can get by fine without the people. You can’t get by fine with mass riots and protests. Some will leave and that’s fine. But those that stay will be team players and unified as a whole, and won’t have to put up with dissidents, riots, and anarchy.
I had a stopover in Hong Kong many years ago and always planned to return and fully explore it one day (same with China) but I guess I’ll have to put that plan on the shelf for now. Every time I think that China can’t get any more totalitarian and dystopian, they pull this crap.. It saddens me to see. I truly pray that they don’t sink their teeth into Taiwan as well. As one of my absolute favorite countries in the world, it’d break my heart to see them swallowed up in that mess.
I feel so awful for the people in Hong Kong. I remember my aunt making me watch the British flag and raised the Chinese flag. She told me I was perusal world changing history that would be bad for HK. Being that young I didn’t get how serious it was because at the time they lied and said they’d keep their freedoms. Being young and naive about China I believed it. So did many adults who didn’t know much about China
I’ve been with you and Winston since the old days of you both still living there, and i’d really really like to make a topical suggestion about what i can almost guarantee is a genuine threat against public health at this point in the USA. It’s something I’ve brought up in various comment sections before but ill make a slight hint and say that i have a very strong suspicion that factories are utilizing components made from asbestos in the endless torrent of disposable vapes
Wow, thanks for the heads up. I have shared posts on HK in the past. I can’t remember exactly what they were, but wow. This makes me think of the movie White Nights where a passenger plane had an emergency and had to land in the USSR, starring Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Gregory Hines. One of the passengers had defected from there and was under arrest when it landed. It is dated, but I highly recommend it. RIP HK.
I’ve lived on the mainland in Shenzhen and traveled to Hong kong frequently just for a change of scenery. My impression is that culturally it was more relaxed and familiar than China, but still a very authoritarian place. At the time I thought it would be much easier to get into trouble in Hong Kong than China since rules in China weren’t always taken seriously. Hong Kong was a hybrid of an English nanny state with Asian authoritarian characteristics. There seemed to be no rule too minor to be made into a serious federal offense. For example, there was a poster in the ferry terminal reminding mothers that leaving Hong kong with over a certain amount of baby formula was a serious offense punishable by 4 years in prison, and I don’t doubt that it was rigidly enforced. During Covid mania, the Hong Kong restrictions were worse on average than the mainland, if you can believe it.
Don’t go to that part of the world period. I’ve been all over and there is nothing of value in that part of the world that can’t be found in the west. I always looked towards the east as my vacation places but when I went to Greece 5 years ago it’s like a switch flipped in my head. I realized I can go on holiday and not worry about losing my passport being a near death sentence, I don’t have to see people shitting in the fields (we all know which country I am talking about). I exclusively vacation in Europe now. Hell, Greece alone has so many islands that it’d take you a lifetime to visit them all.
What people don’t understand is that THIS is our future if we keep being indifferent! Trust me, I’m Canadian! Never in my lifetime did I ever think our country would become like this. And to those who say “you voted him in”, oh no we did not! He lost. 68% voted against him. It was the NDP with a moral compass as steady as the wind, who betrayed us!
I like Chinese I like Chinese They only come up to your knees Yet they’re always friendly and they’re ready to to please I like Chinese I like Chinese There’s nine hundred million of them in the world today You’d better learn to like them, that’s what I say I like Chinese I like Chinese They come from a long way overseas But they’re cute, and they’re cuddly, and they’re ready to please I like Chinese food The waiters never are rude Think of the many things they’ve done to impress There’s Maoism, Taoism, I Ching and chess I like Chinese I like Chinese I like their tiny little trees Their Zen, their ping-pong, their ying and yang-eze
In California, a pedestrian crossing the railroad tracks was hit by a train and died, and his severed limbs were taken away by a 27-year-old man, waving and gnawing on the street, the scene was photographed by passers-by, and it went viral on the Internet to cause panic. The United States is truly the safest place in the world, the most free place to eat human legs.
I visited Hong Kong in 1997. I wanted to see it before it got handed back to China. My conversation starter was, Do you think China will change the name of Hong Kong? Hasn’t happened yet, but it lead to some good conversations in bars. And, for the first decade or so, not many changes. When I saw their protests, I said to myself, it’s happening. So sad. It was a great city! Lots of stuff to do and see. Living in San Francisco now, and our Chinatown is kindof similar to the way Hong Kong was back then. It’s tragic how autocratic China is now.
Many local HK people have left the city for other countries for freedom. So have many foreign investors. Ridiculously, HK government keeps claiming that the stability and economy of the city will improve after this Article 23. Excuse me, do HK officials know what they are doing and talking about ? They are just doing the opposite of what they claim they want to achieve.
Wow, it looks Hong Kong has to build million of new jails now. There are 70 million of passengers land in Hong Kong every year, and simply arrest you may be for the rest of your live. i wonder how they can manage and afford the shelters, food, jailers, and what do they want and get from you if you were jailed ?
There was a moment in my life I wanted to see the historical sites in China. That moment has since passed. What an excellent job the CCP has done to isolate themselves even more, so they can stew in their own filthy corruption all alone! The British never should have given up Hong Kong. They effed up the world with colonialism, but a lot of places were still better off when it came to the infrastructure they left behind. Hong Kong was the place China could have been, but they decided that the hellscape that is mainland China is what they would prefer. Imagine wanting to live in hell where you’re powerful, versus living in a place maybe not heavenly, but at least cleaner and better built, where you could still be powerful. I’ve never understood Communism’s draw…it’s a dumb idea that goes against human nature and all it does is create dumpster fires that refuse to be put out.
It was obvious this would happen when Britain turned HK back over to China. It was only a question of how long it would take. Totalitarians will be totalitarians… there was no way they would ever let HK be as it had been. There is no problem, situation, or non-problem for which more tyranny is not the prescription from Dr. CCP.
To be honest, I wouldn’t go to anywhere in China (and Russia) without this new law, so if people aren’t convinced yet, I dunno what to say. The whole ripping up of the Hong Kong constitution or whatever it is called despite signed agreements that China wouldn’t was a real turn off. If the rule of law and order and signed treaties are not sacred to the Chinese government, it is unsafe to travel anywhere that the CCP government has under even a sight amount of control. It’s a dangerous world anyway so why would anybody test their chances in a place so outrageously and unnecessarily aggressive towards anyone, including their own citizens?
As an Englishman who lived in Hong Kong in the 90s’, I actually agree with don’t go to Hong Kong. It’s sad but true. All my old Cantonese friends have left, there is now a real, credible threat, unless you accept China’s re-written version of history. The truth matters no more. Sorry for the Hong Kong that I used to love but it is not a place I want to go to any longer.
Well depends where you live too I suppose. I live in Wan Chai Road, near Emperor Center, where the rioters have already set fires 2-3 times in a month not very far away….. I wouldn’t call that safe since Wan Chai building are rather old and cluster together. A simply fire on Sunday on of these building has cause 1 death already, now imagine some nut job rioter throwing a petrobomb inside one of these older buildings and tell me whether I should feel safe or not?
I don’t think it is safe anymore in HK, especially for mainland people. These young violent rioters are supported by the opposition and those so-called “democratic” and HK independence leaders, not to mention foreign forces who want to start a colour revolution in HK. Their aim have changed from banning the extradition bill to the overthrown of government. Yet US and UK still voice their support for these protesters, not saying anything about how their own police deal strictly with any protests like this. This is extremely ridiculous. It is time for the emergency regulations in HK.
So instead of blaming all this to incompetent government stuck between serving two masters claiming she has no solution, blame it on the people has a huge spectrum of views. Go and arrest all of those law breakers on both sides and then the government can start to rebuild the trust that they had lost with the people
My wife and I were in Hong Kong last week, flew in on Monday (2nd) morning from Malaysia and away on Wednesday (4th) night to Abu Dhabi. During the two full days, we did not encounter any issue at all, maybe we were lucky but from what we saw, life was normal and business as usual in the areas we were in.
One thing that makes me change my mind about HK is that I thought that HK people are at least more educated, more rational, more pragmatic and more aware of the risk of many medias bias and propaganda who like to spread fake news for their own agenda; at least I thought even though they protest, they’ll do it peacefully because I think they’re educated, rational, pragmatic enough to know that destroying their own city will benefit no one. Apparently, I’m wrong, I think these rioters are no different than our poor uneducated rioters in my country; at least in my country, there’s an excuse that the rioters are really have very low (almost zero) education background and poor so they’re very easily do riot if they’re being mislead by rumors, media bias, provocateur, giving money/foods…..; but HK?
I was in HK three weeks ago. It’s fine to be around as long as you stay away from protests which usually occur in the evening or weekends. Simply because most protesters have day-jobs too. The violence does not represent the majority of protestors and is perpetrated by a minority. I understand the desire for democracy but smashing MTR ticket machines breaking shop windows is so pointless you can think those who do this have other malicious agendas and hide behind these ‘democratic’ agendas
My school mate is a Chinese mainlander. After getting a master degree in UK She moved her family to HK, thought it is closer to our hometown and easier to take care of her widowed father. Nowadays, she is afraid to speak in Mandarin or use wechat a popular Chinese mainlander chat app in HK and definitely stays at home during weekends. She is quite frustrated becuz of the situation and thinking of moving to Shanghai Shenzhen, or Singapore, maybe that is what the HKies want in the first place. She has definitely warned us mainlanders NOT to go to HK for the time being. Meanwhile, if you are caucasian, you probably have nothing to worry about, your looks kinda give you the “I am for democracy I am your savior” kinda vibe to them. I don’t know how much more pathetic and naive it could be to resent your own ethnicity so much and look forward to savior from presidents of other countries.
In 2006, I visited HK, and there was a protest that started at the Mosque near Nathan Road, and I stayed at the HK Sheraton. That was only a few blocks away. I was on a taxi, only a few blocks away going back to my hotel. I sat in the cab for 40 minutes, and decided to walk. I saw HK Police kept in just maybe about a hundred protesters, and the raucous they caused. I can’t imagine the chaos there now.
Very simple: HK gov answerable to Beijing NOT to HK people. Singapore gov answerable to its people who use the ballot box to determine who will govern. In 2011 election Singapore’s PAP party got the lowest vote in its record although still majority and Lee Kuan Yew resigned from his government position. The same cannot be said with HK
Why penalize Singapore when organizers shift their conference venue there? Singapore did nothing wrong. Hong Kong on the other hand failed to provide affordable housing for decades. The soul of Hong Kong is rather wounded and fragile now. Cantopop is no more, their TV series is losing out to Korean and Chinese Dramas. Alot of the problems now are due to hapless hk government. This signals a serious need for reform. Better yourself before you berate others!
Speaking from personal experiences, I feel Hong Kongers are very narrow minded selfish almost . As an Asian, I made it a point to learn Cantonese, even so many would stillstraight up ignore me when I’m asking for directions eventually I received help . The overall vibe of the people there is extremely cold as if it was Everyman for himself kind of vibes
I do hope it is still safe to be still in HK. It does break my heart to see such a city of people lots with open, international mindset descend overnight into this condition. I do hope HK will find the courage to be rational, open and accepting in confronting its future no matter how uncertain it may seems….
Most HK quarters are located along the Nathan road(centre of HK) where very strong clashes occur even at weekends. So tourists should keep out for the time being, and also for business reasons as there is little business to make there. The protesters have also issued posters recommending foreigners not to visit Hong Kong for the time being. Shenzhen, the Drone City, is a much better place for business there.
That tourist is obviously not a Chinese. That’s why he is safe. What happened if the tourist is a Chinese man from another country? Will he still be safe? He cited people still shopping and still hanging out . Of course there will still be such activities going on. Life still have to go on. But Hong Kong is definitely not a safe place to be now for tourists.
People can say Singapore has no soul & dictator country whatsoever but bear in mind, Singapore is the most multi-racial, cultural and religious country in Asia. Yet, we dont even fight one another because we respect and love one another. HKers have equal or more freedom than Singapore does. If they actually learn how to appreciate it, they cud be much happier.
As for Singapore equation:Its missing crucial human rights&free speech that HongKong’s fighting to maintain as written/protected in its Basic Law!(Singapore does not enjoy same freedoms). News always hypes the one 15second article/audio byte thats most sensational. HongKong is still one of safest cities- Visitors-You dont have to go to mid protest areas, youre sightseeing anyway right? Viewers should look for context when viewing stories. Occupy Wall Street did not make all of NYC unsafe, or any other analogy worldwide. Hongkong is not at war, it is in protest-mostly, mostly peaceful as commentator elaborates here.
I remembered so much when I visited HK for the 1st time in 2012. Tbh, HK govt is quite insane, but HK protesters are……nothing other than just anarchistic barbarians. Not only that, they also made Indonesian college students during anti-RKUHP protest turned the situation into 98-esque riot. Why they’ve no problem in turning HK into Syria’s Asian cousin? If I visited HK for 2nd time, I’d rather sue all HK students for indirectly destroying Indonesia. Just because democracy is “from and for people”, does this really mean anarchism is always an answer for anything not democratic? Like spoiled brat smashing random things in front of their parents? It’s no longer about white-and-black anymore……..
“Safe in its own curious and unique way”? What have you been smoking Yonden? Insofar as tourists are concerned, they don’t want a place “safe in its own curious and unique way” – they want a place that’s safe. Period. No risk of getting accidentally smoked by a stray tear gas canister. No risk of getting accidentally hit by a stray brick that a protester may throw and miss its intended target by a mile. No risk of getting stopped from reaching one’s flight back home and having to go through the hassle and cost of making last-minute alternative arrangements. Jeez. Don’t be a sour grapes Yonden, there’s a reason why all the conference organizers have moved to Singapore, and it’s definitely not because they feel Hong Kong is “safe in its own curious and unique way”.
It is still kind of ridiculous comparing a small independent country like Singapore which has the support of a lot of international powers, with a Special Autonomous Region with 1.4 billion people breathing down its neck… Compare comparable things next time. Like the Kaliningrad region in Russia 😛 or the Comores/any other islands in the Pacific which are tacitly a part of a larger country… then you’ll see that Hong Kong is neither unsafe, nor badly off.
Are the Singaporeans really so happy? “Nearly one in five Singaporeans between the ages of 19 and 30 in the Republic wish to emigrate, while almost a third will consider the possibility of doing so within the next five years”, according to a Institute of Policy Studies survey last year. Did you have the same feeling about Hong Kong last year? Did you ask seriously what has led to the present situation in Hong Kong. Yes, it is still safe to visit Hong Kong, for most people who live there, pace what you have said based on not quite exact info — you are the one who talked about “half a dozen” executed, while the demonstrators just want to verify what has happened to three unaccounted for injured persons.
Singpaore will be next I assure you. Some of the most gloomy and unhappy in the world are in Singapore. Widening income inequality, 2 years of military conscription and influx of foreign competition, a senseless and rich government and increasing lack of democratic freedoms and police brutality is going to put many people on the streets. Only matter of time.
Safety is top priority, but inconveniences is also a part of the consideration when people choose to travel. Ordinary people like myself with young kids are going to find such inconveniences intolerable. Fancy your kids looking at the protestors destroying their MTR, building blockages, what is the parent going to tell their kids? the people are fighting for democracy by destroying public property and inconveniencing people in the city! What is the parent going to tell their kids when the airport is being blocked? The airport is easy targets for democracy protestors who wants their voices heard so they don’t care of inconveniences caused to innocent travelers. Why should travelers come only to have to check daily where they can go, where they should avoid, at the benefit of these protestors and the detriment of themselves? Why should we come in the first place?
I have never ask if it is still safe to visit Singapore or Japan or mainland China. If you need to ask that question, obviously there’s a high risk visiting HK although sometimes it is somewhat safe. If I am a tourist. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere where I can see traces of fresh violence and spoil my holiday mood. No thanks
The problem isnt whether Hong Kong is a safe place or not. The problem is that whether Hong Kong is accessible or not. With train services always shutting down and roads being blocked. The place is hard to get through with cars and by public transports as millions of protestors storm the streets. Is the background noise of protestors shouting really help you to sleep? Is more of a mental safety and not physical safety.
Funny how true this is. Last Sunday while the rioters were moving through my district, I managed to walk my dog somewhat tangled amongst them, go to an ATM to get some cash, eat dinner out, have an ice cream as I walk home, and witnessed a woman in a bikini getting photographed on the street. Hong Kong is strange like this :-). Of course I did not engage with any of the rioters just in case I might provoke them.
Silly, of course it is safe. It’s just disruptive if they are protesting as any other country. Silly comments from a silly man who is sold to make a biased one sided view point. Please don’t compare Singapore to Hong Kong. Singapore is a complete different system. It helps its poor. The housing is amazing in Singapore for those who can’t afford it unlike HK. It’s like comparing USA to Indonesia. Please dude… stop your rant.
So what if it is still safe? Shops are closed and we will not know what will happen next. We won’t know if we are able to catch a flight back. Even going for a short vacation, you will also not enjoy yourself. Don’t be silly. Instead of posting this article, your story reporting agency should try to something to help your country to stop this chaos.
Your values favoring order and profitability are warped and demonstrate a shallow awareness of the primary human civilized values of Freedoms of Speech, Assembly, Due Process, Rule of Law, and to select government leaders of your choice. Already. Communist China violated ALL of these with complete disregard of Hongkongers Rights and Freedoms. Make no mistake, Hong Kong is NOT Singapore. They have less freedom. Hongkongers are NOT happy because Communist China has broken and violated its treaty with Britain WITH impunity. You should care more about Hon Kong becoming ruled by the Communist Party dictators and their elimination of freedoms, rights, a honest and ethical justice system, and the infusion of the corruption found everywhere in China. How would you like your new Hong Kong then as well as the disappearance of the Hong Kong you once knew?
Singapore has a govt that cares for its citizens and stop any problems before it arises,at all cost. Bad, formed views would be eradicated even when it appears. Otoh, HK is completely different in which bad practices were allowed to foment in the society and in legco for more than 2 decades. The reason is freedom of speech,actions cannot be contained. That is the price u have to pay: Political stability or No holds barred freedom.
Why can’t all rioters have Lhatoo kind of mentality, is it so hard to stop yourself for once and actually think logically for once. Not letting emotions run you for once and consider both sides. I saw a mainland within the midst of Yuen Long protest asking for both sides to come together and stop this violent protest. What did she get? she got pelted with an egg and told to get out of HK. It really looks bad on the rest of HK if these rioters/terrorist keep continuing their ways without any forms of sanctions.
You are wrong Sir, so badly wrong. Instead of going overseas to deliver lectures in front of passive audiences in gleaming office towers, take time and walk down the streets. Hong Kong has lost its soul because of the heavy ‘mainlandization’ that has been going on for the past 15 years. People are fighting for their rights, culture, heritage and language. Do you hear the People sing?
I agree. This is so true coz i live and work in Shenzhen, and i go to hongkong to send remittance to my family and i always go to central. Hongkong people are very Civil and not barbaric. There maybe chaos between protesters and police at some places but they spare the normal shoppers and citizen. And i have been there time and time again to shop even tho i know there are protest. Its still safe in Hongkong. Its because of its people. Its how they were brought up and way of life. Chaos on street is because of their battle for their claimed rights. #peaceforhongkong
Sorry sir. At the end of next six months you will see drastic decline in tourists and the Tourism Industry collapsing. I will think hundred times before planning a visit to HK where lunatic youth is so dangerous. I am sorry for saying all this. During the last over six decades I have never witnessed or heard about such violent protests anywhere in the world.
Singapore is safe because its a politically stable sovereign country where rule of law is upheld by the government whose legitimacy and mandate derived from every single vote of its people. Everything currently HK doesnt have, but if HK have its own sovereignty, HK will be much greater then Singapore becuase its has freedom of expression which S,pore dont have
Against all odd! I am old beggar in Hong Kong!No country for old man! I always said all these riots only two types of people :Riots police and Demonstrators student!Any Any tourists and Hong Kong civilians not this two types are safety as you like!In fact leaders of the government and the rally civil frontline are healthy than anyone!Compared with Singapore you don’t has time for rally you start debate in your computer someone take you in Singapore prison!Nowadays everyone has mobile phone so everyone has own internet!
Yonden, I used to like your articles. But this time, it seems like you are either delusional or intentionally turning a blind eye to the destructions and innocent ppl injured just because they have a different viewpoints. You also conveniently missed out the fact that the weirdly dressed uncle who just casually walked through the protesters is white! Hey, aren’t you part of the irresponsible journalists who report biased footages of the events in HK. This is the reason why I don’t subscribe to SCMP anymore. Jack ma should do more to scrutinise his media company to be more professional. Btw, the country that you praised on safe and clean streets, uninterrupted bustling commerce and tourism is one that is known to be an authoritarian country for decades. We Singaporeans have not much freedom to talk about, if you are talking about human rights etc. But we have the world’s top education, one of the greatest proportion of educated civilians, top 10 GDP in the world and one of the top highest passport mobility in the world. But, in the western’s sense of freedom, we don’t have much. Yet, ‘strangely’, we are free from poverty, free from violence ( if you research, our laws are also one of the strictest, with a few that comes with capital punishments), and free to work almost anywhere in the world. Ironic, isn’t it? I’m laughing, because thanks to Hk, I learnt how far-sighted Mr Lee Kuan Yew and our pioneer government was. I also learnt that there’s no such thing as freedom without a strong government who will put their citizens’ welfare as top priority, to ensure stable economic growth and social cohesion.
The problem is there no place on earth you can believe the press. So. What is the truth about anything all I know is what I see in the news and the other is the country’s I had the privilege to visit in my younger days and my military service to my country. And I am pretty sure that there many people who have the same story I have seen what one human can do to another something you can’t unsee and you hope your children don’t have see these things I was hope by now we would have learned from our past well I guess not …. but all the money we in this world put out in our military could make this world great, no one hungry,health care and space travel and more but as humans we will never stop fighting we will always find something to fight about. Sad !!! I would say amen but it would start a war.
Asian American who recently visited Hong Kong with his gf, the weekday in between the aviation strike and the riot at the airport. We went the lanthau to see the big buddha. We went to the different estates to take pictures and eat the local food. We went to a few Lennon walls to read all the notes. We went neon light hunting and learned about how these beautiful lights were dying. And above all, we loved HK, the people, the culture, the food, even more than Singapore, which we went afterwards to end our asian trip. If you are thinking of going, absolutely go. It’s a beautiful city, one worth saving
Was there a few weeks ago and I’d say I was more worried about police reaction than protestors as we walked around. Most of my t-shirts are dark colored so was aware I may get stopped and asked questions (hopefully questioned first before anything else) whenever I passed by police. But as this article states, life there seems “normal” and id visit there again