After protest-wracked Hong Kong’s dismal 2019, even Santa has little to offer – except a reminder that this city remains magical

Hong Kong’s year was defined by the government’s misguided extradition bill and its utter failure to resolve discontent

But the city remains a special place and will stay that way: throughout the crisis, ‘one country, two systems’ has held up

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Despite the troubles of 2019, Hong Kong is still a special place – just ask Santa. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 4:00pm, 19 Dec 2019Updated: 10:26pm, 19 Dec 2019

Whereas last year, the pub was the only place I could find Santa Claus for an interview, this year, it was a Sunday – walking down Hennessy Road with a million other people. “I didn’t know you were a yellow [pro-democracy],” I began. “You always wear red.”

“I can’t change my brand image now”, he replied, “and I don’t need a mask with this beard!”

I asked why he was demonstrating at his busiest time. “I now have robot manufacturing and automated storage and retrieval. I just need a few elves to look at the screens. The rest are now selling real estate – or they were,” he said darkly.

I moved onto his investment portfolio. “I thought 2018 was dismal with 2019 sure to follow, but lo and behold, the central banks manufactured money and the markets soared,” he said. “My China shares boomed, despite a gloomy economy and a year of on-off Trump trade tariff tweet talk.

“Then, just as I was making money, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor launches her Fugitive Offender’s Act. My Hong Kong businesses have taken a hit. There’ll be fewer presents for the boys and girls and none for Carrie’s team – they’ve not been good at all.”

“So there’ll be less magic this year?” I asked.