No more Instagram Pier

One of my favourite photos from the cargo pier from Dec 2019

 

Instagram Pier, the unofficial name for the Western Cargo Working Area has closed off to the public since Sunday -- possibly for good.

It's a favourite spot for many photographers who like to go to the end of the pier to capture sunsets, others like to walk their dogs there, or practice skateboarding, aunties dance there in the evenings, and runners go there as one of their points on their route.

The spot was also a favourite of mine too, and I was hooked about three years ago when I discovered it and went there more often from late 2019. It has an edgy feel to it, one section had tons of bamboo poles piled up, another had old unused cargo containers that people liked to pose with, and newlyweds took pictures there too.

The sunset drew many people to the pier

But alas, the public found the gates closed on February 28. The Hong Kong Tourism Board said the pier would be closed "citing Covid concerns".

However, many visitors did not understand this place is a working pier -- during the day there are cranes transporting items from one place to another, or even moving shipping containers. There are boats from Lamma that come to pick up supplies that are manually moved or hoisted onto them.

A few times security staff handed out leaflets to people warning them to leave the area or risk a hefty fine, and towards the end they tried to get people to wear masks in the area, sometimes without success. Some people seemed to think the pier was a public area without realizing it isn't at all. Or they climb up onto container or the cranes to take pictures without regard for safety.

One time during the day a man who was walking his dog got into a shouting match with one of the dock workers. In front of me was a group of policeman who saw the incident and went over to investigate; I didn't stay to see what happened. Some dog owners don't clean up after their pets, leaving a mess.

With the eruption of the coronavirus pandemic last year and gyms closed most of the time along with cinemas and other entertainment venues, many went to Instagram Pier to hang out, have some beers (and not clean up after), and have their dogs socialize with others. 

But in the end it was too much for the staff to enforce the rules and stopped everyone from going in at all.

Many brought their dogs to the pier to play

So I understand why the cargo pier had to be closed to the public, but it's disappointing that such a lovely spot is now completely off limits. 

My last visit there was February 24 and had no inkling anything would happen, though for a few weeks before, the gates were completely closed and there were only two side entrances to get in. The pier was also completely shut to the public on February 12, the first day of Chinese New Year.

District Councillor Paul Zimmerman criticized the closure of the pier, saying it "breaks the waterfront connectivity".

"The presence of the public has been tolerated and condoned for many years. Instagram pier was voted the most favourite public space in 2016. It is very regrettable that the Marine Department has decided to suddenly close the gates without prior consultation of the District Council, nor The Harbourfront Commission," he says.

"If any closure is to proceed, government should first widen the pavements around the Western Cargo Working Area before the closure is implemented," Zimmerman adds.

However the deed is done.

The pier was a lovely spot to admire and reflect

Many were quick to vent their anger on Twitter, saying the government would rather encourage people to go into indoor spaces like shopping malls than outdoor areas like the pier, and that it was the one place that wasn't programmed to show people how to use the space. 

This evening was the first time I had to alter my walking route and go around the cargo pier to get to the harbourfront promenade. Zimmerman is right that the closure of the pier breaks up the connectivity of the harbourfront. It's weird not being able to go to the pier to finish my walks, but like everything else, this is the new normal where things change without consultation...

Car-Free Day Hong Kong Style

Trams are still going by while booths occupy both sides of the roads

I was looking forward to checking out NGO Clean Air Network's event called "Very DVRC" or "Very Des Voeux Road Central", with the promises of removing cars from a 200-metre stretch of the busy thoroughfare from 10am to 4pm.

The idea came about 16 years ago from the Institute of Planners, who had suggested the entire area from Western Market to Pedder Street be completely car free. But in execution, Clean Air Network had to severely scale back and try it out with a small area, from Western Market to Wing On department store.

Some guys having a mini soccer match on a side street

I had visions of perhaps Occupy 2.0, large free spaces to roam around on the streets. However when I got there, people couldn't really walk on the roads because the middle of the street was occupied by trams that were still moving along the tracks, though at much lower speeds for safety reasons, and they were cordoned off.

The sides of the roads that vehicles would have used were occupied by booths, some 40 of them, ranging from making arts and crafts to fitness clubs, making mini Chinese flower banners, planters out of plastic bottles and even a mini soccer pitch.

There were musicians performing songs and one spot had colourful beanbags to sit on, and even a group that advocates giving hugs for 21 seconds.

I talked to a young enthusiastic woman called Winnie who said there was scientific research that said if people hug for 20 seconds then it helps release hormones to reduce stress. She also hoped the exercise would help people have more physical encounters rather than on social media. The extra second? Just to make sure your embrace definitely long enough.

The roads were carefully cordoned off for safety reasons

Former lawmaker Paul Zimmerman was also there and was pleased to see the event a reality and watched how people reacted to the carnival-like atmosphere. It's too bad he didn't get voted in, but he is someone who is always advocating for Hong Kong to be a more people-oriented city, to make it more accessible by walking rather than driving.

He feels that when a city is more walkable, people have more chances of bumping into people they know, and that in turn creates more dialogue and debate, and hopefully in the end makes people happier.

But there seems to be more cars on the road -- is it because there is a larger group of wealthier people who can afford them? Is it because public transport like the MTR are frustrating commuters so much that they don't have the patience to deal with it? Or is it because public transport doesn't adequately service the areas they live in?

Signs like this reminded people to watch for cars...

These questions need to be answered -- not with more roads, which is what the government likes to do. The current big infrastructure project is the Central to Wan Chai bypass that is taking years to build and will even cut into Victoria Park, something that the public didn't find out until it was too late to stop it.

Today's experiment was interesting, but perhaps it was too crowded a space, or the area wasn't quite right. Or maybe I'm just nostalgic about the occupation of Admiralty almost exactly two years ago when thousands of people converged on the bypass and created an ad hoc friendly community.

Are those days gone forever?

Eddie Chu Hoi-dick's Fears Assauged for Now

Eddie Chu (in white shirt) with pro-democracy politicians at the police station

Eddie Chu Hoi-dick may be "king of the votes" for garnering over 84,000 votes in Sunday's Legislative Council election, but now the 38-year-old is fearing for his life after "imminent" death threats made against him and his family.

They are so terrified, that he, his wife and daughter haven't been home since Sunday.

Chu was accompanied to the police station with his lawyer

This afternoon, Chu along with Paul Zimmerman, Nathan Law Kwun-chung, and "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung went to police headquarters in Wan Chai to file a report. He also sent letters to Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and Police Commissioner Stephen Lo Wai-chung, seeking assistance.

His request was granted and now Chu and his family are under round-the-clock protection and they are staying in a secret location. His daughter will not be going to school for the time being.

"I have faced threats against myself and my family since I announced my bid for Legco," Chu told the media. "They have escalated into an imminent death threat since I was elected."

Chu is a longtime a grassroots environmental activist, and during his campaign he may have upset some people on issues such as changing the land use in the New Territories and an illegal dumping case in Tin Shui Wai.

Chu (holding bouquet) with his supporters on Monday

He is also promising to take on the powerful Heung Yee Kuk, a statutory advisory body that is supposed to represent villagers' interests, but is widely accused of corruption and anti-environmental practices.

In his election platform, Chu campaigned not only for Hong Kong self determination, but also animal rights, and strong opposition to the "South Lantau Metropolis", that the government wants to develop into a residential and business enclave that could have a massive impact on the environment.

Chu is one extremely brave man and hopefully police protection will help him breathe a bit easier.

But he should also remember over 84,000 people support him and hopefully strength in numbers will help him stand down those making dangerous threats.

Hong Kong is ruled by rule of law, not intimidation.

More Drama on the Hustings

Are you clear on who you're going to go vote for on Sunday?

This year's Legislative Council elections are already shaping up to be a wild ride -- and we haven't even voted yet.

First of all the Election Commission barred six people from becoming candidates because of their pro-independence views.

Then Ken Chow Wing-kan of the Liberal Party claimed a higher force was threatening him and people close to him -- a force so strong that it is even more powerful than the Liaison Office or the triads.

He was so scared he fled Hong Kong and doesn't plan to come back from the UK until after September 4.

Five pan-democrat candidates have suspended their campaigns

Now we have five pan-democrats pulled out of the race in the hopes of consolidating the pan-democratic vote.

The five are: Paul Zimmerman, Kalvin Ho Kai-ming, Sumly Chan Yuen-sum, Chu Chi-kin, and Suzanne Wu Sui-shan.

It seems so strange -- and desperate -- to do it three days before the vote -- why couldn't they have coordinated among themselves earlier? Surely they would have known that the sheer number of political parties was going to further dilute the vote especially for democratic-leaning parties, compared to one big pro-Beijing one (the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong).

And also, on Sunday, their names will still be on the ballot, so stopping their campaign isn't going to really help the situation at all, but further confuse people about who they want to vote for.

The chain of events started when Labour Party chairwoman Wu, contesting the Kowloon East constituency, said she wanted to set an example for her pro-democratic allies to "focus on the whole picture".

Zimmerman and fellow independent Chu, who beat DAB lawmaker Christopher Chung Shu-kun, stopped electioneering.

"I hope you will all consider your vote for democrats who are almost in," said Zimmerman in a statement, suggesting his supporters switch to Demosisto candidate Nathan Law Kwun-chung.

Then when it came to the functional constituency, where voters can also choose one candidate, two others dropped out, Civic Party's Chan, who funded his own campaign, as the party initially opposed his electioneering, announced he would stop campaigning after he had canvassed the Central area.

"[We] urge voters to utilize their wisdom and ensure that the pan-democrats retain three super seats," said party chairman Alan Leong Kah-kit.

Ho of the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood also quit the race for a super seat.

The latest poll figures show the pan-democrats could only win 11 seats in the geographical constituencies, which is down from 18 in 2012, meaning they could lose their veto power.

Perhaps it's an indication the public is tired of the pan-democrats' filibustering, which caused a major backlog of bills from being passed in a shorter period of time.

From an observer point of view, this latest twist to the otherwise already exciting race, is making it hard for all of us to catch up, but also who do we vote for?

What else is going to happen from Friday evening to Sunday morning?!

Picture of the Day: Election Literature

Who would you choose to represent your interests from this lot?

Next Sunday is the Legislative Council elections. In the geographical constituency for Hong Kong Island, there are 15 candidates vying for six seats.

These are all the flyers I have received from the candidates -- who would you pick?

This year is going to be very interesting, as people seem tired of the traditional pan-democrats and many shades of democrats have emerged, including localists who are even advocating independence which has been mooted.

Radicals like Leung Kwok-hung or "Long Hair" and Wong Yuk-man are considered passe these days, though localist parties aren't getting much traction beyond some young people.

This vote splitting only makes it easier for the pro-Beijing DAB to potentially gain even more traction.

Nevertheless there are some notable candidates for Hong Kong Island.

First up is Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, founder and chairperson of the New People's Party and her "Team Regina" slogan. At a glance her platform looks pretty mainstream. Who doesn't want to improve air quality and reduce students' stress?

Nathan Law Kwun-chung of Demosisto escaped jail time recently following his conviction of inciting others to join in unlawful assembly almost two years ago which sparked the 79-day occupation of Admiralty.

The party's main platform is to hold a referendum in 10 years, asking Hong Kong people about how they want the city to be governed come 2047, when "one country, two systems" expires.

Independent Paul Zimmerman is the only gweilo running. He's been involved in local politics for a few years, and in the past year has been pretty active in trying to improve aspects of Hong Kong's environment, from suggesting seats at bus stops, cleaning up beaches, and cracking down on land abuses in the New Territories.

The Dutchman definitely manages to shine a light on these issues, and shows up at major rallies even if he doesn't understand everything that's been said.

Finally there's Ricky Wong Wai-kay another independent, who has campaigned on "ABC" or "Anybody except CY Leung".

His campaign material is pretty comprehensive and bilingual too going through 12 main issues advocating small class sizes in schools, reforming the MPF scheme and more transport subsidies.

It's interesting this businessman is keen to run and we'll see how he does. But he has definitely thought out how he'd like Hong Kong to be run with his 99-page policy platform.

So another week to decide... decisions, decisions...

Plans to Resurrect Queen's Pier?

Remember this? Queen's Pier in Central before it was dismantled in 2008

I still miss Queen's Pier in Central. It used to be so convenient to take the Star Ferry from there to Tsim Sha Tsui and back.

But when I happened to visit Hong Kong in 2008, there were signs all over the pier area, and people protesting its demolition. It was surprising the government would move such an important landmark.

When I moved back two years later, the pier was long gone and you now have to schlep across a long blue walkway all the way to where all the outlying island ferries are just to catch a short Star Ferry ride to Tsim Sha Tsui.

People passionately protested the demolition but to no avail

You really do weigh if it's worth going all the way and take the MTR instead, and so it's not surprising why the Star Ferry keeps losing money. The government seems to want to make it more difficult for people to take cheap transportation that is a part of the local culture.

But wait -- the government hasn't completely killed it -- there are plans to resurrect Queen's Pier and place it somewhere around where piers 9 and 10 are now, which currently aren't being used for anything, except by photographers and anglers.

Yes -- it will not be an actual functioning pier, but a shrine to its former existence.

Why dredge up the past? It wasn't even a nice-looking structure. And more importantly why waste up to HK$305 million taxpayer dollars doing this when the money could be used elsewhere like helping the poor?

Several activists opposed the proposed plan and are calling for the pier to be restored in its original spot, though that could be costly too.

A drawing to show where Queen's Pier would be relocated

"If you put it closer to the original location, it has a much higher heritage value because Edinburgh Place will be complete. And, you have it closer to the old waterfront for tourists, students and children to come back here and realize the waterfront used to be here," says Southern District Councillor and co-founder of Designing Hong Kong's Paul Zimmerman.

Queen's Pier was opened in 1953 as a public pier, and the ceremonial location where Hong Kong governors would arrive and depart before 1997.

And now the structure is being stored in a warehouse...

First of all, why didn't the government listen to the people? And then second, why does it think that everything will be rectified by reassembling the structure for no good reason?

The Star Ferry Terminal has moved a much further distance

The government seems so completely out of touch with what is going on in the city, and thinks that it can spend taxpayer money on frivolous projects, when one in five people in Hong Kong are living below the poverty line and so many people are in need?

Even worse is that we residents have no recourse to vote them out.

After having watched Ten Years, I now see why the movie resonates with people so much. It really does capture the pessimistic mood, the sense of helplessness and frustration people have. Just like in the film, people feel the government is in cahoots with Beijing, and no one is looking out for them, so they have to defend themselves.

That's just a movie, but that's the sentiment people have in reality.

Reassembling Queen's Pier is the most absurd proposal I've heard since Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah's suggestion to bring in food trucks to Hong Kong.

Do they not care about the future of this city and what its residents want it to be?