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Fiona Sun

The historic and diverse neighbourhood of Sai Wan can boast of being home to Hong Kong’s oldest and most prestigious university and also “Instagram Pier”, a cargo handling area that has become a magnet for selfie takers because of the stunning views of Victoria Harbour.
However, the area has also become a flashpoint for anti-government protests since June because of its political significance – after the city’s handover from British to Chinese rule, the neighbourhood became the location for Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong. In fact, some now refer to the liaison office as “Sai Wan”.

What’s the history behind Sai Wan?
Located in the northwestern part of Hong Kong Island, Sai Wan is in Central and Western district, and covers the areas of Sai Ying Pun, Shek Tong Tsui, and Kennedy Town.
Sai Wan formed part of the City of Victoria – the de facto capital of Hong Kong during the British colonial period and one of the first urban settlements in Hong Kong.
In 1857, the British government expanded the scope of Victoria city and divided it into four “wan” – Sai Wan (“West Ring” in Chinese), Sheung Wan (“Upper Ring”), Chung Wan (“Central Ring”, now the Central area) and Ha Wan (“Lower Ring”, present-day Wan Chai).
Sai Wan has a relatively ethnically diverse population and comparatively well educated residents.
A smart place to be?
The liaison office, situated on Connaught Road West in Sai Ying Pun, represents the central government in Hong Kong, serving as a bridge between Beijing and the city.
It was established in 2000 and replaced the New China News Agency, Beijing’s de facto embassy in the city during the colonial period. Its main roles include assisting relevant Chinese government departments to manage investment organisations, and promoting exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong.

Sai Wan is regarded as a university quarter. In the area is the University of Hong Kong (HKU), which was founded in 1911. HKU was 25th in the QS World University Rankings 2020 and is highly regarded for its science, dentistry and law degrees. Dotted with historical architecture and situated on a hillside, the university’s main campus is a popular tourist spot.

But it is not just HKU that gives the area its scholarly atmosphere, as some of the city’s best secondary schools, including St Paul’s College, King’s College and St Stephen's Girls’ College, are also in the vicinity.
Sai Wan has in recent years attracted more tourists and locals alike to “Instagram Pier” on the harbourfront, so nicknamed because of the large number of social media posts taken there.
Originally a cargo dock, the pier has become popular because of its picturesque sights, the mirror-like quality of its shoreline, and the clear view of Victoria Harbour. Yellow-black kerbing, cargo pallets and shipping bollards are common themes captured in photographs.
More trouble ahead?
The liaison office was attacked on July 21 by anti-government protesters who pelted the building with eggs and paintballs, and defaced China’s national emblem.
A liaison office spokesman said the protesters’ act touched on the bottom line of Beijing’s “one country, two systems” principle on Hong Kong.

Liaison office director Wang Zhimin slammed the unprecedented attack, saying the protesters’ radical actions had offended all Chinese people.
However, a week later on July 28, clashes erupted again nearby as protesters tried to approach the liaison office while police responded with rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Office staff earlier protected the newly replaced national emblem with Plexiglass.
On the October 1 National Day marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, protesters once more headed to the liaison office after joining an illegal march from Causeway Bay to Central but they were dispersed by police who stood guard there.


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City Weekend

Why Hong Kong protesters head for historic area that is home to city’s oldest university and ‘Instagram Pier’

The so-called Instagram Pier is a popular place for photographs. Photo: Handout

Students walk on the corridor of the Edwardian Baroque-style main building, the oldest structure on the University of Hong Kong main campus opened in 1912, in Hong Kong, China September 29, 2015. The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has come under unprecedented pressure from Chinese government supporters to block the appointment of a liberal scholar, as Beijing tries to rein in freedoms a year after student-led protests rocked the city. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

The Chinese national flag flies at half mast to mark the memorial of former premier Li Peng at the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Sai Ying Pun. 29JUL19 SCMP / K. Y. Cheng

Riot police fire tear gas canisters at anti-extradition bill protesters in Des Voeux Road West as protesters march towards the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government, Sai Ying Pun. 28JUL19 SCMP / Edmond So

The China's liaison office emblem is seen protected by plexiglass during a demonstration in Hong Kong on July 28, 2019. - Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters defied authorities to hold an unsanctioned march through Hong Kong, a day after riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse another illegal gathering, plunging the financial hub deeper into crisis. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)

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Sai Wan has become a flashpoint for anti-government protests since June because of its political significance



Sai Wan has become a flashpoint for anti-government protests since June because of its political significance – the area is the location for Beijing’s liaison office in the city.


Hong Kong protests