The man who fought a 5 cent fare increase and sparked riots in his defence

So Sau-chung has an indelible place in the history of Central's Star Ferry pier and regrets its impending demolition - but has no intention of paying it a farewell visit.

Mr So, when he was a 25-year-old translator, staged a hunger strike on April 4, 1966, outside the Star Ferry concourse in protest at a ferry fare increase of 5 cents.

The service was then a vital link between Hong Kong and Tsim Sha Tsui. The unpopular decision drew protests from the Urban Council, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and the Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council.

Mr So was a pioneer of social protests in Hong Kong, where demonstrations rarely happened before early 1970s.

His actions drew sympathy from some members of the public and 11 young people joined the hunger strike.

Riots broke out after Mr So was arrested on April 5 for the protest. About 430 people were detained and Mr So was charged with causing 'obstruction and disturbance'. But the protest was effective because the Star Ferry later limited the fare rise to the first-class section and exempted children under 16 and students. Now a Buddhist monk, Mr So said the pier was doomed in the face of economic and urban development.