We arrived in Hong Kong just one day after what has been billed as the largest (or one of the largest) protests in Hong Kong history. By some reports, over 1 million Hong Kong residents (roughly 1 in 7 residents) took to the streets to protest a new law that would allow the leader of Hong Kong to send certain people who have been charged with crimes to mainland China for trial (where, obviously, there is a much-derided history of failing to protect human rights and civil rights). The new “extradition law” is also viewed as inconsistent with the terms of the 1997 handover from Britain, in which China agreed to maintain — for a period of 50 years — the legal, political and economic framework in place in 1997 (and before).
Our experience with the protests was attenuated and indirect: We saw them from a distance and experienced delays and road blocks that impeded our way to the places we wanted to see. (I note this only as point of fact; not because we were upset by the delays or impacts on our schedule — I understand the concerns, applaud the largely peaceful protests, and was glad to be able to discuss these issues with Max and Zoe, who have no personal experience with any system other than the U.S. System (and even then, no direct experience with the criminal justice system, and so no opportunity to appreciate the protection of their rights in any concrete sense): Conceptually, they understood the issues and the dangers the proposed new law represents to a host of freedoms we take for granted. Below are a few pics of our interactions/views of the protests.
Victoria Peak: Once we made our way past the protests, we went to Victoria Peak – the highest point on Hong Kong island, and a truly beautiful place from which to see all of Hong Kong. After spending a bit of time pausing at the various vistas to take pictures, Max and I set out on a hike around Victoria Peak, along one of the several hiking trails that originate at Victoria Peak. Below are a selection of photos from our day (so far).
Hong Kong at night: Hong Kong is a thoroughly vibrant place, and is frenetic, albeit orderly, seemingly all the time. There is, each night at 8:00 PM, a light show along the northern coast of Hong Kong island. Most of the significant/larger buildings participate and project lights, lasers, etc. as part of the “show.” Its pretty cool — especially for tourists like us. below are some still shots of the show (it was a cloudy/hazy night, but still impressive):
