Good morning,
Nothing much happened yesterday. In fact there’s so little news, I see no reason keeping this issue behind a paywall.
Don’t worry though paid folks, we’ll make up the privilege to you soon (real soon - it’ll be exciting, believe me)
But High Tide is daily, so we’re being daily.
You know what else is daily? The countdown to John Lee’s CE inauguration.
— Cyril
On Today’s Tide
Politics | Foreign Consulates in Hong Kong light candles despite Beijing warnings
COVID
Not really news | Police gather in Victoria Park to stop people from gathering in Victoria Park
Events (and deals - ft. Poland selling candles)
Government | Opening border with mainland won't be easy - John Lee
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Foreigners lighting candles 😤
Several consulate generals in Hong Kong including Canada, the US, the UK, Australia and the EU Office lit candles and posted on social media commemorating the Tiananmen incident.


This was despite an official warning from Beijing warning consulates not to share views on 1989. According to Ming Pao, Beijing’s message called previous demonstrations illegal and “hosted by a very small number of people who were anti-China and hostile towards the Chinese government”.


Poland meanwhile did not post about their office being filled with candles. They instead advertised the fact that Poland makes the most candles in Europe. I have no idea why they decided to that today of all days, kind of rude to steal the spotlight.
COVID in Hong Kong


New cases: 446
Total cases: 1,214,638
New deaths: 0
Total deaths: 9,382
Nothing happened near Victoria Park
On my way home, I made a quick detour round Victoria Park to see how nothing was happening. There were lots of police not doing much.
I was a bit early though because something did happen later on. Several small atomized demonstrations like candles being put in phone booths, people walking past the park in black, an old man with candles….
There were some isolated incidents of police arguing with citizens. Some body searches. But generally, almost quite literally, nothing much happened.





Events and deals
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For more local events, check out yesterday’s High Tide.Events and deals
Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes
ReThink returns 5-6 Oct
Read our full press release on the event here.
As a High Tide subscriber, you get to enjoy super-early-bird prices until 4 Sep (already expired for everyone else in early May).
Sign up here using the code HTP22 for 25% off!
As chosen by our LoTW Luke Samtani: I follow a vegan plant-based diet, undoubtedly, I'm excited about Hong Kong's biggest and most diverse vegetarian and green living expo that will take place in June.
Where: HKCEC
When: 10-12 Jun (latest rescheduling)
Entry: Free (advanced registration; $20 walk-in)
Sha Tau Kok Partially Opens to Tourists
The border town of Sha Tau Kok is partially opening up to tourists. Located within the Frontier Closed Area, Sha Tau Kok is normally only accessible with a special travel pass. But now local tours can visit the longest pier in Hong Kong and several other small Hakka islands on Fridays and weekends.
Travel to the mainland? Less likely than you think
Speaking with Chinese media, John Lee said yesterday that reopening the border with the mainland won't be as easy as once thought. For one, our control of the pandemic hasn't been perfect, and we’re a resurgence of cases. It's unfair for the mainland to have to deal with that.
However, Lee said that once he's taken up the mantle of CE next month, he’ll ask Beijing specifically what’s needed for a reopening.
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