Hong Kong Wont Open to World Until Mid-2022, Lam Aide Says
#46
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#48
Join Date: Sep 2019
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#49
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
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#51
Join Date: Mar 2003
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#52
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,725
It is indeed very sad. On some levels, I think I'm still in denial that all of this is actually happening to HK, and it's hard for me to get over that I had taken for granted that HK would enjoy, more or less, self-governance until 2047. And, to see what's happening to CX, through no fault of its own, is equally tragic as we're witnessing a once great Airline reduced to whatever it may be from the rubble.
I didn't realize it then, but my biggest regret was "out of an abundance of caution" not taking that final trip to HK in 2020. If I could have a do over, I'd definitely should've ignored "them," and just said "f*ck'em," and just gone with my instincts--it would have been infinitely preferable with this where I have to live with regrets.
I didn't realize it then, but my biggest regret was "out of an abundance of caution" not taking that final trip to HK in 2020. If I could have a do over, I'd definitely should've ignored "them," and just said "f*ck'em," and just gone with my instincts--it would have been infinitely preferable with this where I have to live with regrets.
#53
Join Date: May 2000
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It is indeed very sad. On some levels, I think I'm still in denial that all of this is actually happening to HK, and it's hard for me to get over that I had taken for granted that HK would enjoy, more or less, self-governance until 2047. And, to see what's happening to CX, through no fault of its own, is equally tragic as we're witnessing a once great Airline reduced to whatever it may be from the rubble.
I didn't realize it then, but my biggest regret was "out of an abundance of caution" not taking that final trip to HK in 2020. If I could have a do over, I'd definitely should've ignored "them," and just said "f*ck'em," and just gone with my instincts--it would have been infinitely preferable with this where I have to live with regrets.
I didn't realize it then, but my biggest regret was "out of an abundance of caution" not taking that final trip to HK in 2020. If I could have a do over, I'd definitely should've ignored "them," and just said "f*ck'em," and just gone with my instincts--it would have been infinitely preferable with this where I have to live with regrets.
#55
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 807
It is indeed very sad. On some levels, I think I'm still in denial that all of this is actually happening to HK, and it's hard for me to get over that I had taken for granted that HK would enjoy, more or less, self-governance until 2047. And, to see what's happening to CX, through no fault of its own, is equally tragic as we're witnessing a once great Airline reduced to whatever it may be from the rubble.
I didn't realize it then, but my biggest regret was "out of an abundance of caution" not taking that final trip to HK in 2020. If I could have a do over, I'd definitely should've ignored "them," and just said "f*ck'em," and just gone with my instincts--it would have been infinitely preferable with this where I have to live with regrets.
I didn't realize it then, but my biggest regret was "out of an abundance of caution" not taking that final trip to HK in 2020. If I could have a do over, I'd definitely should've ignored "them," and just said "f*ck'em," and just gone with my instincts--it would have been infinitely preferable with this where I have to live with regrets.
#56
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ TPPS/*G, Starlux Explorer, (Almost Lifetime) Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,388
As for CX, it's indeed sad. I was a CX DM for a number of years and that will probably remain my favorite flying experience/period. Although, I think there was a group of us that would agree that the old Dragonair runs to China were the best in terms of service and food. I loved the KA A330 flights. After a few wall to wall days in China, hopping onto that A330 in F or J to head home to HK was my happy place. Those memories are safe from any politicians!
Last edited by bpk6h; Feb 6, 2022 at 2:39 am
#57
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,725
My opinion on this - Banks and law firms will keep a presence but most likely at reduced levels. As for MNCs, the rationale to be HK based is simply not there anymore and has been declining for a number of years. Singapore already had the pre-pandemic lead of MNC APAC HQs and will only further solidify that position as there just aren't too many other reasonable choices in region. If you are looking at an APAC footprint these days, it's most likely a Singapore HQ where China is handled from regional offices within China (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, etc). It's looking likely that HK won't even be the Greater Bay centre...that is Shenzhen. I have HK PR but I don't think there's a job there that would get me to leave SG at this point. Will still happily travel to HK for a weekend to see friends... although I have come to prefer exploring China if thinking about a family holiday...the Mainland just has so much more to offer in terms of cultural sites or unique places to stay which is where my personal travel preferences are.
As for CX, it's indeed sad. I was a CX DM for a number of years and that will probably remain my favorite flying experience/period. Although, I think there was a group of us that would agree that the old Dragonair runs to China were the best in terms of service and food. I loved the KA A330 flights. After a few wall to wall days in China, hopping onto that A330 in F or J to head home to HK was my happy place. Those memories are safe from any politicians!
As for CX, it's indeed sad. I was a CX DM for a number of years and that will probably remain my favorite flying experience/period. Although, I think there was a group of us that would agree that the old Dragonair runs to China were the best in terms of service and food. I loved the KA A330 flights. After a few wall to wall days in China, hopping onto that A330 in F or J to head home to HK was my happy place. Those memories are safe from any politicians!
#58
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Join Date: Feb 2003
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I started going to HK regularly when I was living in GZ in the early 2000s. Would take the thru train there for the weekend and always felt like a breath of fresh air to arrive in the relatively orderly HK, check into the Langham Place hotel and just relax for 2 days before heading back.
I started seriously using CX/KA when I moved to Shanghai and had to fly to ANZ, India and South Africa every other month. It quickly became my favorite way to travel and I basically stuck with them from 2008 to Covid. I even enjoyed the short haul economy class HKG-SHA/PVG runs managing to score a few glasses of red wine on the 2 hour flight after suffering through the endless delays in the wing/pier/centurion lounges.
Things felt different when I was in HK in 2019. Fewer mainland tourists and just a kind of sad vibe compared to Shanghai. My last trip through HKG was flying in of SQ in first from SFO and transferring to MU to Shanghai. I remember reading the FT on the SQ flight and an article about a new virus in Wuhan. I wish Id chosen Cathay biz for that trip, if Id known what was in store. Id have liked to experience a bite of the burger one last time.
HK, when it reopens, wont really have much to offer over Shanghai, Beijing or Shenzhen and thats just the way I think they decided to make it during 2019. They just didnt know that Covid would give them the chance to transform it so quickly.
HK will open when the Mainland opens, so probably in 2-3 years.
I started seriously using CX/KA when I moved to Shanghai and had to fly to ANZ, India and South Africa every other month. It quickly became my favorite way to travel and I basically stuck with them from 2008 to Covid. I even enjoyed the short haul economy class HKG-SHA/PVG runs managing to score a few glasses of red wine on the 2 hour flight after suffering through the endless delays in the wing/pier/centurion lounges.
Things felt different when I was in HK in 2019. Fewer mainland tourists and just a kind of sad vibe compared to Shanghai. My last trip through HKG was flying in of SQ in first from SFO and transferring to MU to Shanghai. I remember reading the FT on the SQ flight and an article about a new virus in Wuhan. I wish Id chosen Cathay biz for that trip, if Id known what was in store. Id have liked to experience a bite of the burger one last time.
HK, when it reopens, wont really have much to offer over Shanghai, Beijing or Shenzhen and thats just the way I think they decided to make it during 2019. They just didnt know that Covid would give them the chance to transform it so quickly.
HK will open when the Mainland opens, so probably in 2-3 years.
#59
Join Date: Nov 1999
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Some recent US-based news articles on the HK situation (with an interesting division of NYT covering immigrant workers, and WSJ covering financiers...):
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/business/hong-kong-covid.html (https://archive.is/mSuDn)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/hong-ko...ub-11646130602 (https://archive.is/duKnS)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/hong-ko...ub-11646130602 (https://archive.is/duKnS)