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

[Pushka]

Actually it was following on from an earlier post by jakeseven7 claiming that the protesters were the ones "dragging down the city" when in fact they're trying to save it.

Then you need to quote that poster then.

Isn't the jury out, given alleged unreliability of mainland Chinese economic statistics? IIRC, AFFer pauly7 confirmed previously that State owned enterprises in many cases have huge debts and are an economic basket case, and even the official statistics concede to a degree that economic growth has declined.

Mainland China has more 'defences' such as millions of CCTV cameras and its infamous 'social credit' policy, plus residents who've been taught from an early age that the CCP is 'god.'

China seems to be doing better than most other countries even if not as good as previously. Certainly better than USSR back in those days.

 

[Lynda2475]

If i was just connecting via HKG staying airside, or spending a night at an airport hotel, i wouldn't be too concerned. But given Hong Kong was meant to be my destination with a quick day trip to Macao right now i cant see myself going. Not having been to Hong Kong before im not confident enough to navigate around subway and road closures and having to spend your holiday monitoring newsfeed to avoid trouble doesnt make for a restful break.

My employer is not even allowing staff to connect to europe or asia via HKG airport, university of sydney has told its exchange studentts to come home.

Sad times, i continue to monitor and search for alternatives classic rewards but looking more and more like going to be stuck at home.

 

[Hvr]

It looks like the end is near for the protesters;

Hong Kong protests: Security tight at PolyU with hundreds of protesters trapped on campus

HONG KONG: Hong Kong police fired tear gas at protesters as they tried to escape a besieged university on Monday (Nov 18) while hundreds ...

www.channelnewsasia.com

‘All hell is breaking loose’ in Hong Kong

A heavily-fortified university campus in Hong Kong has been stormed by police with some declaring it a “war zone”.

www.news.com.au

This will not end well.

 

[jakeseven7]

Actually it was following on from an earlier post by jakeseven7 claiming that the protesters were the ones "dragging down the city" when in fact they're trying to save it.

Incorrect. I did not write or infer that. I said 'they' - plural - referring to all parties involved in this sad situation.

Read more carefully in the future.

 

[Melburnian1]

Incorrect. I did not write or infer that. I said 'they' - plural - referring to all parties involved in this sad situation...

This is what you said:

'...Not getting into debates on who is right or wrong but the longer this drags out the more they pull down the city with them and cause irreparable damage to the economy...'

giving me and others the impression you were blaming those who are fighting for democracy - what's left of it - to be maintained in Hong Kong.

Your standing on the fence is like a famous individual prior to World War II. Why can't you come out and state that you support democracy above Marxism?

It's unsurprising so many multinationals have such a poor public image if your attitude is typical.

 

[Isochronous]

And maybe the end of result will be the loss of international influence and western money that people have grown up with and enjoy. Honestly I can’t see this being a battle they can ever win. China does now ‘own’ HK. It’s a case of agree with the cause but it’s an un-winnable one.

In the same way that Germany 'owned' Austria, Sudetenland and Danzig...

 

[Pushka]

In the same way that Germany 'owned' Austria, Sudetenland and Danzig...

Not at all. Historically Hong Kong was part of the greater China realm until UK gained control for 99 years via a Treaty. China was the other party to that treaty. Which it would not have been had it not been a part of China territory. Obviously.

 

[whughes3]

Not at all. Historically Hong Kong was part of the greater China realm until UK gained control for 99 years via a Treaty. China was the other party to that treaty. Which it would not have been had it not been a part of China territory. Obviously.

Actually, the UK had possession of Hong Kong island and Kpwloon for all time; it was only the New Territories that were subject to the lease that expired in 1997. And the way thay initially acquired the first two was extremely nasty; do some research on "the opium wars".

 

[mrsterryn]

Back on the OP
Has anyone cancelled due to the situation even when the trip is some months ahead ?

 

[jakeseven7]

This is what you said:

'...Not getting into debates on who is right or wrong but the longer this drags out the more they pull down the city with them and cause irreparable damage to the economy...'

giving me and others the impression you were blaming those who are fighting for democracy - what's left of it - to be maintained in Hong Kong.

Your standing on the fence is like a famous individual prior to World War II. Why can't you come out and state that you support democracy above Marxism?

It's unsurprising so many multinationals have such a poor public image if your attitude is typical.

Again, read my clarification post for those who did not understand, which could not be more clear that I was talking about both sides of the equation and not singling out either.

I don’t discuss my political views on this frequent flyer forum and I don’t care about yours or others as they are personal and off topic.

I was giving some information and background about why corporate travel to HKG is decreasing and it seems other companies are following suit from the comments.

 

[zenyattamondatta]

I don’t discuss my political views on this frequent flyer forum and I don’t care about yours or others as they are personal and off topic.

Yep. There's no reason everyone needs to suddenly jump up and denounce Marxism just because it's Melburnian1's bee in the bonnet du jour.

 

[drron]

Then you need to quote that poster then.



China seems to be doing better than most other countries even if not as good as previously. Certainly better than USSR back in those days.

Not nearly as good as it seems.Debt level is very high by world standards and a lot becomes due in next 3 years.Add in uncertainty in the Trade war things could go south.I am sure Xi will do everything to stop a worse trade situation for 12 months hoping Trump loses.If Trump does win in 2020 then China will be in more trouble.He probably will go harder to take away China's developing Nation status in trade.

Trade war with US could be the tipping point for China’s $14 trillion debt-ridden economy

China's GDP growth will slow if a trade war with the U.S. ensues. That, along with the Red Giant's debt bubble, puts its future at risk.

www.cnbc.com

 

[JessicaTam]

[mod hat]
Can everyone please take a chill pill.

Going backwards and forwards with he said/she said gets us no-where.
[/mod hat]

 

[Isochronous]

Not at all. Historically Hong Kong was part of the greater China realm until UK gained control for 99 years via a Treaty. China was the other party to that treaty. Which it would not have been had it not been a part of China territory. Obviously.

Completely so. Austria and Germany were united as one country for a substantial period of history. The revanchism that you advocate has historically caused many wars. It's a very dangerous way of thinking and there are 100 million Vietnamese who would be very concerned about your views gaining traction.

 

[zenyattamondatta]

Debt level is very high by world standards

Japan also has massive debt, and keeps muddling along somehow. Debt in and of itself isn't all that relevant.

And who you owe it to is important. China and Japan are the world's two biggest creditors in international terms, which gives them certain advantages over the world's largest debtor. Their debt is in yuan and yen to their own citizens, which makes it vastly easier to deal with.

 

[Sabot]

This is going to end in Tiananmen Square II, it will be interesting to see how the mass exodus of financial interests impacts other hubs like London, similar story with airlines.

This was always going to happen, whether it was 2047 or 2019.
No-one out protesting is ever going to "come around" to the idea of one country one system, which is why the CPC didn't bother waiting.

 

[drron]

Japan also has massive debt, and keeps muddling along somehow. Debt in and of itself isn't all that relevant.

And who you owe it to is important. China and Japan are the world's two biggest creditors in international terms, which gives them certain advantages over the world's largest debtor. Their debt is in yuan and yen to their own citizens, which makes it vastly easier to deal with.

Yes muddling along with the Nikkei and Tokyo house prices still lower than 1989.
I doubt that china's leadership could face 22 years of that sort of muddling along with much confidence.

1990 2020

 

[Pushka]

Back on the OP
Has anyone cancelled due to the situation even when the trip is some months ahead ?

July trip and we are just transiting on the way to and fro to Europe. On an award seat booked months ago. I’ve tried checking into other flights but of course there’s nothing available and at the time I was lucky to get these as Qatar never released and pretty much the same with EK. Qatar was always going to be my preference but never happened. Currently DIL and grandson are on a J award flight to UK that I booked for them on Qatar a long time ago.

 

[Lynda2475]

I have Boxing Day classic reward flights to HKG returning New Years, which i most likely will cancel given Hong Kong was the destination (all was fine when i booked those back in late January). But havent been able to bring myself to cancel yet, just in case things resolve.

Does anyone know if i book a domestic alternative classic reward (and options are very slim) for same dates, can i wait it out and then just cancel the uneeded one a few days before? Or will booking an alternative trip for same person for same dates automatically cancel tbe other booking?

I wonder if QF will waive cancellation fee if travel warning goes higher?

And like Pushka i also have J classic reward flight via HKG in June (connecting to DBX then CPH) which ive been unable to find an alternative reward flight for to get to CPH on time. Im hoping that by June transits will be fine, but keep checking to see if alternate routing opens up.

 

[NoName]

Will be booking award flights from west coast US to SIN for Jan 2021 when they become available in a couple of months and mulling over who to book with. The idea was always to go on CX via HKG but wondering if we should use another OW carrier instead just in case. Any recommendations? JL the obvious one. Or is the consensus that there’s still nothing to worry about if only transmitting?