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I was planning to visit Hong Kong before this began but won't now for the foreseeable future due to the actions of the governments of HK and China. I want to v

I was planning to visit Hong Kong before this began but won't now for the foreseeable future due to the actions of the governments of HK and China. I want to visit China too but the rapid development of their omnipresent surveillance state has me putting those plans off presumably forever, which is a shame as I am fascinated by Chinese history and culture.

phantomathkg 7y ago
I would say it still worth a visit to see it first hand. Protest and civil disobedience normally occurred during the weekend. r/HongHong even has a link to a Google Calendar on all the events that are going to happen.
greggman2 7y ago
You should visit China just to see the scale. 20 cities larger then NYC. Just one example, Tokyo's bullet train station has 4 tracks Shanghai's has 24. Also make sure to visit the country side and see how many people need to be helped out of poverty.
- wavefunction 7y ago
  Thanks for your suggestions. I have to admit I enjoy nature over man-made achievements but I would appreciate visiting China's mills of industry in addition to absorbing the local culture and cuisines throughout the nation (food is perhaps most accessible and direct experience of local culture?)
madacoo 7y ago
I'm currently in Hong Kong (planning to leave in December). Honestly if you want to come as a tourist I can't see you'll face any problems. Just be sensible and you'll be safe. Unless you don't want to fund the economy of Hong Kong through tourism because you disagree with politics of its government and China. In which case, fair enough, really. I'm avoiding pro-China companies as much as possible myself. Although obviously the necessities of living do get a little in the way of that.
xwolfi 7y ago
The chinese government showed restraint and maturity in acts (if not in grandstanding) and the HK gov is slowly shifting to serving its people rather than ask them to serve it. The protesters are now a minority and extreme to the point any win ends up "not enough", I for one am seeing it as a milestone for China's shift toward democracy. Visit or don't, but HK has a unique history, from its troubled beginning as a british colony to its difficult chinese integration. We prefer to slowly build it compromise by compromise rather than shun any sign of progress in the name of absolutism.
- kmonsen 7y ago
  China's shift toward democracy, what do you mean here? Any recent examples of China becoming more democratic? Or is we didn't slaughter or own people for speaking their mind this time what you mean?
- cirgue 7y ago
  > Visit or don't, but HK has a unique history, from its troubled beginning as a british colony to its difficult chinese integration. We prefer to slowly build it compromise by compromise rather than shun any sign of progress in the name of absolutism. This statement makes me really curious to understand your point of view: From your perspective, is this what HK people in general (not just the protesters) want? When you say progress, progress for whom, and toward what end? What is the goal of integrating HK into China, or what is the expected benefit for the Chinese people and for Hong Kong people? I am not from China or HK, so I don't really have a great understanding of what people in either place think.

phantomathkg 7y ago

I would say it still worth a visit to see it first hand. Protest and civil disobedience normally occurred during the weekend. r/HongHong even has a link to a Google Calendar on all the events that are going to happen.

greggman2 7y ago

You should visit China just to see the scale. 20 cities larger then NYC. Just one example, Tokyo's bullet train station has 4 tracks Shanghai's has 24. Also make sure to visit the country side and see how many people need to be helped out of poverty.

wavefunction 7y ago
Thanks for your suggestions. I have to admit I enjoy nature over man-made achievements but I would appreciate visiting China's mills of industry in addition to absorbing the local culture and cuisines throughout the nation (food is perhaps most accessible and direct experience of local culture?)

madacoo 7y ago

I'm currently in Hong Kong (planning to leave in December). Honestly if you want to come as a tourist I can't see you'll face any problems. Just be sensible and you'll be safe. Unless you don't want to fund the economy of Hong Kong through tourism because you disagree with politics of its government and China. In which case, fair enough, really. I'm avoiding pro-China companies as much as possible myself. Although obviously the necessities of living do get a little in the way of that.

xwolfi 7y ago

The chinese government showed restraint and maturity in acts (if not in grandstanding) and the HK gov is slowly shifting to serving its people rather than ask them to serve it. The protesters are now a minority and extreme to the point any win ends up "not enough", I for one am seeing it as a milestone for China's shift toward democracy. Visit or don't, but HK has a unique history, from its troubled beginning as a british colony to its difficult chinese integration. We prefer to slowly build it compromise by compromise rather than shun any sign of progress in the name of absolutism.

kmonsen 7y ago
China's shift toward democracy, what do you mean here? Any recent examples of China becoming more democratic? Or is we didn't slaughter or own people for speaking their mind this time what you mean?
cirgue 7y ago
> Visit or don't, but HK has a unique history, from its troubled beginning as a british colony to its difficult chinese integration. We prefer to slowly build it compromise by compromise rather than shun any sign of progress in the name of absolutism. This statement makes me really curious to understand your point of view: From your perspective, is this what HK people in general (not just the protesters) want? When you say progress, progress for whom, and toward what end? What is the goal of integrating HK into China, or what is the expected benefit for the Chinese people and for Hong Kong people? I am not from China or HK, so I don't really have a great understanding of what people in either place think.