Next stop for the ship was Hong Kong for New Year’s Eve fireworks.  But they were cancelled – NOT because of Covid-19 – that was just reported to the WHO for the first time on December 31st.  Independence demonstrations had been going on since June of 2019 and the government didn’t want to have any large crowds gather.  But on New Year’s Day there was a march authorized.  I wanted to get a feel for the movement so we went in to observe (and join) the march.

There were plenty of police and they were well equipped, but they kept their distance using binoculars and cameras to monitor it.  The march was at least 100,000 strong and made up of people all ages.  Many held up five fingers indicating they want all five of their demands met.  The exception was when they saw police, then they held up one finger.  

An older woman asked me where I was from and asked angrily, “do you even understand what’s going on here?”  She was upset the U.S. hasn’t been supportive of their movement.  I hadn’t really understood what/how/when this would all end, but came to realize that this is about 2047 when the “one country, two systems” agreement ends and China exerts full control.  Not that long from now if you think about it.