PeterKa

==Back from Hong Kong==

==Back from Hong Kong==

I'm back from Hong Kong and it was certainly quite a week to be there (Oct. 1-7). Hong Kong was once a British colony, but it has been ruled by China since 1997. The city has a unique "one country, two systems" form of government that allows a British-style legal system to flourish despite the fact that the local government now works for the Chinese Communist Party. There have been pro-democracy protests in the city for the past four months. The protests mushroomed after Carrie Lam, the city's hapless chief executive, issued a decree banning masks on Oct. 5. The vandalism by protesters was so intense that the entire subway system had to closed for the first time in it's history. Not only that, but the city's High Court is likely to overturn the decree.<br/>With worldwide attention focused on the protests, it's easy to forget that Hong Kong has an even more serious problem: The city is experiencing one of the largest housing bubbles in economic history. Rising land values make the rich richer and leaves young couples unable to afford homes of their own. Everyone wants a piece of the action, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi has a villa in Hong Kong at Repulse Bay. When I talked to the protesters, I suggested that they take a look at that.

I'm back from Hong Kong and it was certainly quite a week to be there (Oct. 1-7). Hong Kong was once a British colony, but it has been ruled by China since 1997. The city has a unique "one country, two systems" form of government that allows a British-style legal system to flourish despite the fact that the local government now works for the Chinese Communist Party. There have been pro-democracy protests in the city for the past four months. The protests mushroomed after Carrie Lam, the city's hapless chief executive, issued a decree banning masks on Oct. 5. Vandalism was so intense that the entire subway system had to closed for the first time in it's history. Not only that, but the city's High Court is likely to overturn the decree.<br/>As if protests and tear gas weren't enough, Hong Kong has another serious problem: The city is experiencing one of the largest housing bubbles in economic history. Rising land values make the rich richer and leaves young couples unable to afford homes of their own. Everyone wants a piece of the action, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi has a villa in Hong Kong at Repulse Bay. When I talked to the protesters, I suggested that they take a look at that.

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File:Dim sum.jpg|Dim sum is what Hong Kongers eat for breakfast.

File:Dim sum.jpg|Dim sum is what Hong Kongers eat for breakfast.

File:Pro-democracy march in Wanchai, Hong Kong.jpeg|I stand in front of a pro-democracy march in Wanchai District, site of some of the most serious rioting. Masks provide protection against tear gas.

File:Pro-democracy march in Wanchai, Hong Kong.jpeg|I stand in front of a pro-democracy march in Wanchai District, site of some of the most serious rioting. Masks provide protection against tear gas.

File:V-Barracade across Nathan Road in Mongkok.jpg|This barricade was built in Mongkok District on Oct. 5. Although defended by a catapult, the police had little trouble removing it.

File:V-Barracade across Nathan Road in Mongkok.jpg|This barricade was built in Mongkok District on Oct. 5. Although defended by a catapult, the police had little trouble removing it.

File:Poster on why attack subway.jpg|This poster attempts to explain a phenomenon that I find inscrutable: Why do protesters attack Mass Transit Railway, the city's subway provider?

File:Poster on why attack subway.jpg|Why do protesters attack Mass Transit Railway, the city's subway provider?

File:Glass broken in Hong Kong protests.jpeg|The subway system has been overwhelmed by vandalism. This pane is at Mei Foo Station.

File:Glass broken in Hong Kong protests.jpeg|The subway system has been overwhelmed by vandalism. This pane is at Mei Foo Station.

File:China_Liaison_Office,_Hong_Kong.jpeg|While Carrie Lam preens for the media, this tower in Sai Ying Pun is the city's real center of power. It is the "secret" headquarters of the Communist Party.

File:China_Liaison_Office,_Hong_Kong.jpeg|While Carrie Lam preens for the media, this tower in Sai Ying Pun is the city's real center of power. It is the "secret" headquarters of the Communist Party.