Amidst protests is Hong Kong still safe for travellers?

In short, yes.

The long answer: Well, you might want to reconsider visiting Hong Kong for

leisure. For safety and inconvenience as businesses are closed while the battles between the authorities and protestors continue to spread. What’s the demonstration about? The demonstration was first triggered by the extradition bill that was introduced in April

which allowing criminals suspects to be extradited to China, Macau and Taiwan under certain circumstances. Oppositions worry that under the bill Hong Kongers may be exposed to unfair trials and violent treatment as they argue that it may give China more significant influence on Hong Kong.

The demonstration took on a snowballing effect when the governor of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, is determined to push the bill through the legislative law on 21 May. Since the beginning of the demonstration, more than a million of Hong Kongers dressed in black has taken to the streets to protest, including a rare protest march by more than 3,000 Hong Kong lawyers.

The demonstration has degenerated into violence as the tension continues to intensify between the protestors and authorities. Earlier this month, the police confirmed that they had detonated a bomb and a police officer had been slashed by the neck. On the other hand, the protestors’ accusation against the police on ‘arbitrary arrests’ took on a more aggressive approach.

How are travellers being affected?

Having said so, if you still intend to visit Hong Kong during this period, it’s still possible to avoid the demonstrations.

First of all,  you must check the travel advisory given by your local authorities. For example, Singapore has advised its citizen to “defer non-essential travel to Hong Kong, given current developments“, while the U.S. gives a Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution as travel advisory to its citizens.

The demonstrations usually take place over the weekends, therefore, the weekdays are more or less like a normal working day where business runs as per normal. However, things can heat up on Friday evenings and sometimes it can be brought over into the weekends.

If your curiosity is kicking in and would like to join the demonstrations, expect peaceful rallies where demonstrators march through the streets with signages accompanied by yelling or at times cursings. However, it is advisable to leave the scene especially towards the end of the march as tensions heightened.

It’s a common sight where protestors throw petrol bombs at the police. In exchange, the police retaliated with rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons. The battles between the protestors and police often spill over into business areas in Central and sometimes stretching as far as into Causeway Bay.

The conflict flared ever since the 70th anniversary of communist party rule of China on October 1, where demonstrators continue to vandalise businesses in relation to China and the city’s transport networks, in particular, MTR, are being targeted. Resulting in the city’s repute efficiency being tainted, in which MTR has issued shut down of train services and early closure to restore the damaged facilities; many businesses in Central, Wanchai, Causeway Bay, Mong Kok, Prince Edward and Tsim Sha Tsui are forced to shut down while roadblocks are  set up in this regions; taxi and Uber services are more difficult to get hired than usual.  Therefore, getting around can be a hassle. It is encouraged to have various travel plans to encounter for transportations issues.

How to stray away from the conflict?

Firstly, to ask your hotel concierge or local colleagues, if you happened to be on a business trip, for advice on areas to avoid. Other than that, you can also subscribe to credible news sources including South China Morning Post, Hong Kong Free Press for the latest demonstration updates.

Secondly, it might not be a good choice to be dressed in black, like most protestors do.

Lastly, if by accident you happened to collide with the protestors, my advice is to head in the opposite direction swiftly and calmly.

Highlights from the Protest.

On June 12, an initial peaceful gathering at Tim Mei Avenue outside the legislature escalated as protesters took over the neighbouring roadways, including Lung Wo Road, Tim Mei Avenue, Queensway and Harcourt Road, blocking traffic and clashing with officers deployed there. In return, the police fired rubber bullets and tear gas hoping to disperse the crowd. Yet, it was an adverse effect.

Even though Carrie Lam has suspended the bill on June 15,  anti-extradition protestors remain unsatisfied with the results, as they fear the bill might be revived. Tensions began to grow between the demonstrators and authorities.

Between August 11 – 14 protestors not only occupy Hong Kong International Airport resulting hundreds of flights to be cancelled, but they also disrupted the train services, including Airport Service Line. But it has been a relief that Hong Kong Airport has not to experience any more flights cancellation since.

On September 4, Carrie Lam announced a formal withdrawal. However, Hong Kongers says it was too little and too late.

Protestors continue to take the streets with violence, including throwing petrol bombs, setting up fires, damaging public facilities and businesses in connection with China, vandalisms, etc.

On October 1, an 18-year-old protestor was shot in the chest with a live bullet by the police.

On October 4, Carrie Lam invoked the Emergency Regulations Ordinance to impose an anti-mask law to ban wearing face masks in public gatherings.

On October 12, thousands of protestors wore face masks an unauthorised protest march from Tsim Sha Tsui to Sham Sham Shui Po against the anti-mask law.

On October 13, islandwide flashmob-style protests were held across various Hong Kong district. Protestors continue to vandalised MTR facilities and companies in connection with China or that are pro-Beijing. A police officer was also slashed in the neck by a box cutter in Kwun Tung. In addition, police also detonated a home-made bomb near Mongkok Police station.