July 1st in Hong Kong

July 1st in Hong Kong is a rather busy day.

At 8am, government officials, tourists, school boys, as well as protesters who wish to join in but were barred 4 or 5 blocks away, stand at the Golden Bauhinia to see the flags of Special Administrative Region (SAR) and P.R.C. go up. The national anthem is passionately sung by a young choir from, usually, a very known elite school (a.k.a. "DBS"). Helicopters flies the flag over the harbour. Everyone is patriotic, spirits are high.

Later in the morning come the celebrations from 'patriotic' organisations. And what a lovely bunch they are: decorated cars, families, all flag-waving, came out in scorching heat to 'celebrate' this birthday of the SAR. They are all supportive of the government; no-one was unhappy; joyous all along! Don't we all owe, they say, our prosperity to this government, led by the Chief Executive with the support of the great motherland? The kids don't particularly look willing, having been dragged out of bed on such a great extra holiday at around 7am but, hey, if your father's company asked you to come and you still want food on the table the next day, you just don't refuse, right?

The best show came in the afternoon. Year after year, the Civil Human Rights Front organised a march for Hong Kongers to express themselves, in whatever slogan, with whatever agenda. It was here you see a plethora of groups - migrant workers, Falungong, gay activists, the after-90s... any group imagined will almost be represented. Everyone surely has some rights deprived, one way or another right? Now is the time to come out and be counted! See for yourself the photo and see if you spot any group that you support.

And if these are not enough, you can always join, at your own risk, the protests that linger well into the evening by certain radical Legislative Councillors. The party goes on until 3am sometimes, so you can leisurely finish your dinner before coming around for the fun!

Alternatively, it's nearly always sunny on this 1st day of the 2nd half-year, The beach is always there for you!