So many problems besetting it but Hong Kong still is beautiful

Even after the sun sets, Hong Kong can be beautiful

Also, upon closer observation, it's apparent that 

there's still lots of light and life about the place

I realize that 2020 has been an awful year for much of the world but some days, it really feels like Hong Kong especially can't catch a break this year: with terrible things happening politics- along with health-wise; and the authorities often being more hindrance (or the actual problem) than help. In the case of the territory's fight against the Wuhan coronavirus though, the relevant government officials have often performed better than expected (after being prompted into action by such as a strike by the medical staff of public hospitals back in early February).  

Now, as Hong Kong battles a community outbreak (and a third wave that is worse than the earlier ones), Hong Kong's Chief Executive has announced the enactment of the most sweeping social distancing restrictions to date in the territory to combat the pandemic (including requiring masks to be worn on public transportation, and cinemas and bars to be shut down again from midnight today).

Carrie Lam being Carrie Lam though, she couldn't resist announcing at the same press conference yesterday -- the day after the conclusion of the democratic camp's primaries (which attracted more than 610,000 participants; all of them registered voters) -- that the very act of participating in that unofficial political exercise could amount to an act of subversion under the new national security law.

And now Beijing's representatives in Hong Kong have chimed in to assert that the organizers of the democratic primaries, widely seen as a protest vote against China's security law for Hong Kong, are out "to seize the ruling power of Hong Kong and ... carry out a Hong Kong version of 'colour revolution'"; this even while what they are doing is to try to effect change through voting rather than, say, street violence or the barrel of a gun.

Since Beijing (and its representatives in Hong Kong) doesn't usually make emphatic declarations without some kind of "follow up" action, the expectation is that the draconian "powes that be" are going to do something dramatic like disqualify all the candidates in the democratic primaries.  If they do so, it will really show that it's not just a few people who will fall foul of the security law imposed on Hong Kong by the Communist Chinese regime: that is, unless you consider over 600,000 to just be "a few" and "extremely small minority".    

It's easy enough to feel despair about this situation. Alternatively, one can take heart that over 600,000 people were willing to come out to register their protest against the national security law and what's generally been happening to Hong Kong by dint of their participation in this unofficial as well as voluntary political exercise.

Interestingly, a writer known for her pessimistic views has penned a contexualizing piece for the New York Times that actually contains some kernels of optimism.  To quote from the article: "We will continue to find defiance in unexpected places".  Also, "[The] promise has been broken, but this is not the end. We will continue to make a home out of an imperfect place. To wipe down the mold, repaint the walls. One day we could be forcibly evicted, or this could all burn to the ground. But for now, we’re still here. Maybe we can still try to make this place beautiful."

The writer, Karen Cheung, further explained the thinking behind her piece on Twitter.  Part of the thread reads as follows: "i also know this piece is at risk of sounding deluded or a bit 膠, but i also don't think going around reminding everyone why we should be terrified when we already are helps, because that's what the [Chinese Communist Party] wants".  Also, as one of my favorite people on Twitter -- an individual who goes by the moniker HK Wuliff -- recently Tweeted: "there are so many new and creative things blooming in hk, and so much that has always been here. let’s not give up on it just yet, yeah?"