Should I stay or should I go - Hong Kong [protests]

[jase05]

Beijing getting serious by the looks

Footage shows Chinese vehicles moving towards Shenzhen

The Chinese government has released footage that appears to show military vehicles driving towards the Hong Kong border.

www.news.com.au

 

[amaroo]

Airports get shutdown from time to time .... I wouldn't change my plans based on the current DFAT advice, and if already booked.

The government will do what governments do, they will show extreme force and close things down. The only reason it hasn't already happened is the potential downside / threat to Hong Kong's banking / financial industry.

The French have used the long game to deal with the yellow vests..... the Chinese have a record of getting on the front foot and getting things sorted.

 

[kpc]

Still no danger to tourists, as long as Beijing doesnt go feral ( although that can't be discounted).

That is the key...I have no idea what Beijing will do but I have a good idea as to what they are capable off...for this reason I myself will be avoiding Hong Kong for now...

 

[Irishbazz]

Will give it a few more days and if no major changes in the situation will continue with the first leg of a five week break RTW. Travelling to HGK on the 24th and leaving on the 26th for SFO. Hopefully it sorts it self out soon.

 

[JB expat]

Will give it a few more days and if no major changes in the situation will continue with the first leg of a five week break RTW. Travelling to HGK on the 24th and leaving on the 26th for SFO. Hopefully it sorts it self out soon.

My sense is they will have to - although the means used my be distasteful (avoiding stronger language). Whether by blockading the roads/trains and only letting ticketed passengers through or otherwise remains to be seen. I’m still keeping my booking that stops in HKG for a day on outbound and transits through HKG on inbound. I’m making a backup hotel reservation very near airport re outbound as alternative to my Kowloon hotel. If I don’t make it into the HKG office for day and work out of hotel, so be it.

 

[mini2]

Looks like they'll be heading there again at 1300 HKT.

 

[get me outta here]

Just a few of the South China Post article headings: https://www.scmp.com/news/china

Canada’s Justin Trudeau extremely concerned about Hong Kong, urges China to be careful

• Prime minister says Ottawa is focused on protecting Canada’s interests in Hong Kong, which is home to around 300,000 Canadian citizens
• US Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell warns Beijing that any violent crackdown on protests in the city would be ‘completely unacceptable’

Support for Hong Kong protesters lands Taiwan politician in hot water

Taiwan, Tibet and Uygur expats join Hongkongers in New York to show support for protests

Here is where the next revolution may take place in Hong Kong

• Locking up troublemakers and throwing away the key would only breed revolutionaries
• Political reform that gives our young a sense of ownership must be part of the solution

 

[harvyk]

So at this stage, I'm still planning on going (I've got a trip there in 4 weeks time).

My general thoughts are that the airport will not be allowed to stay closed like that for an extended period of time. I also suspect that whilst China sits on the sidelines and urges protester to re-open Hong Kong for business, they will not stand idly by and allow the main international gateway in and out of the region to remain closed for long at all.

Whilst the SCMP has show the trucks just on the other side of the border and claimed they are participating in exercises I also suspect that they will cross into HKG if the airport stays closed. Whilst things like closing key MTR stations is annoying for the locals, it does not close the city off from the world.

 

[ellen10]

Son and Husband originally offered CX flights arriving in SYD on Thursday morning and then we were able to get these changed to departing Wednesday morning on CX and arriving in SYD Wednesday night. We have been trying to sort out the accommodation things for another night in Hong Kong and after a long wait on Qantas chat and SMS, my husband phoned the Qantas Hong Kong office. Eventually spoke to someone who offered them QF98 flights out tonight (8.15pm HK time) via Brisbane. They took them and are now on their way to the airport by train, so fingers crossed.

On a sidenote we have the start of our much anticipated J award flights starting in 2 weeks time with a 6 hour transit in Hong Kong. So hopefully it might be a little calmer by then, although I acknowledge that the pressure on the Hong Kong people and their way of life is a big issue that will not be easily resolved.

 

[Isochronous]

This idiot has been played on Chinese TV to support China's postion to send in their thugs: He can only walk away when treated with more respect and a better argument than his.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1056872871370688

Typical obnoxious Australian abroad who thinks he's more important than everyone else.

It is reported that the police are talking to each other in Mandarin (HKGers speak Cantonese). The gangsters who attacked protestors have not been charged with offences leading to 10 years in jail as the protestors have. The protestors have not been attacking people with iron bars. Who knows who has been committing the actual really dangerous activiites, is it the tiads again, others on the side of China maybe. The protestors have achieved part of what they need, international attention.

That will only fuel the rumours that Chinese police/military are wearing HK Police uniforms to get involved.

 

[Saab34]

Looks like they are back again numbers building to similar levels. So I wonder if they are going down the same path as yesterday as it’s impossible to clear them without potentially injuring innocent bystanders. I guess the only way is not letting them into the airport in the first place or ID checks for anyone wishing to enter a terminal

Live Video of arrivals

 

[33kft]

Significant number of cancellations showing for HKIA departures - 30 between now and 8PM HKT.

 

[RooFlyer]

Looks like they are back again numbers building to similar levels. So I wonder if they are going down the same path as yesterday as it’s impossible to clear them without potentially injuring innocent bystanders. I guess the only way is not letting them into the airport in the first place or ID checks for anyone wishing to enter a terminal

Now they are losing me.

 

[get me outta here]

They are not going away. There is too much to loose and the protestors are terrified of a police crack down. The international awareness is only just beginning in the overall scheme of things. According to Paul Barrett retired Sec Defence. Beijing will pressure the HKG govt to quash this, so that Beijing can say they are not responsible.

 

[mini2]

There’s DFAT staff on the ground last night, not sure if they’re still there at the arrival hall.

 

[33kft]

Although I don't see a majority of departures cancelled at this point, based on updates from twitter I suspect another night of disruptions is imminent:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1161193183109251072

 

[33kft]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1161194873266962432

 

[Hvr]

According to Paul Barrett retired Sec Defence

Paul Barrett was dismissed as Defence Secretary, having lost the confidence of his Minister. He didn't retire from the position. It's actually a fairly well known industrial relations case. Funnily enough he never say's he was sacked. Maybe that would diminish his credibility?

 

[33kft]

HK Airport Authority just announced as at 17:25 HKT, all flights for the 13th will be cancelled as they were yesterday.

 

[get me outta here]

Was that at a change of Govt? . Seems to be so. From Labor to Libs, he was ousted(?)

Paul Barrett was dismissed as Defence Secretary, having lost the confidence of his Minister. He didn't retire from the position. It's actually a fairly well known industrial relations case. Funnily enough he never say's he was sacked. Maybe that would diminish his credibility?