Hong Kong and Macau, China or Not?

Hong Kong is a special administrative region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC). It is located on China's south coast and at the end of the harbor is the South China Sea. A population of seven million people makes Hong Kong one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Limited space has made Hong Kong a vertical city. Its population is 95 percent ethnic Chinese and 5 percent from other groups (probably American and Australian tourists!).  

View of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak

The Japanese used this lion for target practice during their occupation of Hong Kong. The bullet holes are evident. It is now a symbol of Hong Kong's freedom.

                   

 

 

 

Hong Kong became a colony of the British Empire in 1842 after the First Opium War.  It was occupied by Japan during the Pacific War. The British had control until 1997, when China resumed sovereignty.  The citizens of Hong Kong are guaranteed the same rights and privileges as before the transition (1997) for 50 years, with 34 to go. Then Hong Kong by law becomes completely integrated into China.
Entities in existence before the transition are guaranteed for the 50 year period. Perhaps that is why our church was so anxious to have the Hong Kong Temple in operation before the transition in 1997. The LDS church owned a wonderful historic mansion that the city was desirous to reclaim. The church traded the mansion for a piece of prime real estate on Hong Kong Island. It is now the site of church offices, missionary apartments, meeting house for several HK wards and branches. The Hong Kong Temple, in Kowloon is also the location of the mission home with a LDS stake center and distribution center across the street. LDS missionaries do serve in Hong Kong speaking Cantonese, a completely different language than Mandarin. (The written Mandarin and Cantonese, however, are the same.)


Hong Kong LDS Temple in Kowloon

LDS Office/meeting house on HK Island



This picture of Chirst with Asian children reminds
us that he loves us all equally.

Unlike the pushing and shoving in mainland China, folks in Hong Kong actually stand in orderly queues (or lines). Every luxury brand has its own store in Hong Kong. HK dollars must burn a hole in local pockets because folks are waiting in line to enter the Louis Vitton, Chanel, Cartier, Apple or Rolex stores.
 



The queue to enter Chanel

We were surprised to see the amount of raw land outside the city. Boy Scouting is popular in Hong Kong. We even discovered a Gilwell Camp in the area. You Wood Badgers will know the significance of that.  I was able to mingle with HK scouters having a camp out. They had their closing ceremony on Gilwell Field. The city is also the home of an International Baden Powell Hostel and Scout Training Center. I had to buy some patches!


Hong Kong Scouts on Gilwell Field.
Notice the Ax and Log!

It is interesting that as we discuss Hong Kong with our students, they are adamant that Hong Kong is part of China. However, several Hong Kongers that we met were just as adamant that they were not Chinese, but Hong Kongers. They have different passports than Chinese nationals. Hong Kong has its own monetary system (8 HK dollar = 1US dollar). According to estimates from both UN and WHO, Hong Kong has the longest life expectancy of any country (SAR) in the world in 2012, surpassing Japan. We enjoyed a BYU China Teacher’s Conference, night markets, warm temperatures, and seafood all in a very livable city while most of our American friends were hunkering down in the middle of winter.



Hong Kong skyline at night



The queue in the Apple Store



Some kayak time on the coast

 

Best Dressed Panda and a Banyan tree

 

Macau is Hong Kong’s Portuguese cousin.  All of the items regarding Hong Kong’s status apply to Macau. (Passports, money, freedoms, etc.) It is a 90 minute high speed ferry ride to the other side of the Pearl River Delta. Macau was administered by Portugal from the 1550s until 1999, when it was ceded to China. It is known for its casinos and the Macau Grand Prix. We enjoyed the lights of a city that never sleeps, the water shows and the extravaganzas. But one quick walk through a smoke-filled casino was enough.


We enjoyed the European architecture of the city. It was like a taste of Europe in Asia. The buildings were pink, yellow and green. They were covered in tiles; the windows had graceful arches and flower boxes. There was BREAD! (Bread is not a big thing in China). We could usually figure out what the signs said in Portuguese. At least we recognized the alphabet!



Mammoth tusk carved to show the Monkey King

And then there was the Grand Prix museum. As a gearhead, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. There were F1 cars from every period.

That’s me by Michael Schumacher’s set of wheels. We took a stroll along the Grand Prix route. I tried to imagine driving my Viggen at top speed through the course. At night I dream of driving just about anything because since last Sept 5, I have not been behind the wheel of a vehicle. What a way to end the vacation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, it was time to head back to China and the classroom after a great tour of SE Asia.