Gloomy Hong Kong (2026-10-29)
Author’s Note
Some say Hong Kong has changed.
They say it’s no longer the Hong Kong of the past, but merely a Chinese city, devoid of ‘freedom’ and ‘prosperity’.
However, just because its brilliance isn’t what it once was doesn’t mean today’s Hong Kong is fundamentally different.
History is in constant flux.
Hong Kong hasn’t changed just because its owner has.
If the Hong Kong of old was a symbol of ‘prosperity,’ today’s Hong Kong now embodies a Hong Kong of ‘unease’ beyond mere prosperity.
Everything in this world has its own rules and balance.
Even with its changes, Hong Kong still possesses its unique charm,
and even with its unease, it remains beautiful and brilliant.
[Epilogue] Why do we root for evil?
Indigenous people once lived in Hong Kong.
Later, it became the territory of various nations.
Then, to Britain, to Japan, then back to Britain, and then to China..
Its owner changed countless times like this.
– 1842: After the First Opium War, the Qing Dynasty ceded Hong Kong Island to Britain.
– 1860: After the Second Opium War, the Qing Dynasty additionally ceded the southern part of Kowloon Peninsula to Britain.
– 1898: Britain leased the New Territories from the Qing Dynasty for 99 years.
– 1941-1945: Japan occupied Hong Kong during World War II.
– 1945-1997: After Japan’s defeat, Britain resumed colonial rule over Hong Kong.
– 1997-Present: Sovereignty over Hong Kong was transferred from Britain to China, and it became a Special Administrative Region of China.
Throughout this time, various parties claimed ownership of a region that belonged to no one.
The Hong Kong where indigenous people once lived was a quiet fishing village with nothing, and few remember this.
When Britain ruled Hong Kong, Hong Kong experienced its most brilliant period.
From Hong Kong’s perspective, Britain was an occupying force and an invader, and that invasion continued until 1997.
Yet, many people long for the brilliant period of Hong Kong when it was ruled by an occupying force.
The reason is that ‘freedom’ and ‘prosperity’ existed.
Thus, we always prioritize the ‘existential’ given to us over the ‘essence’.
This is why we must focus on ‘reality’ that can be experienced, rather than ‘ideals’ that cannot be grasped.
