Barricade Ourselves

22 June 2010 - I am now for seven years in Hong Kong, and over a drink the question came up what has changed in the city. Seven years ago 500,000+ people marched the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the Tung Chee-hwa Government. These days, many people feel frustrated and angry how the Donald Tsang cabinet governs the city. So far not much new. But one thing that has changed is that the city seems to be full with heavy metal barricades to prevent protests get out of order. The mainland office in Sai Ying Pun is almost permanently barricaded and at key locations in Central, such as the LegCo building, Chater Garden, the Government Offices and the Court of Final Appeal the barricades are also stacked around. One wonders how many barricades the police have in stock, because many more may be needed tomorrow when the Legislative Council will vote on political reform. It will be a busy day.