Hong Kong: Air Pollution Makes Hong Kong Less Appealing

Hundreds of runners in the Hong Kong marathon collapsed when they braved the local smog. When I first came here over a decade ago, it was unusual for the smog to obscure the other side of the harbour. Now its unusual to see Kowloon from Island side.

The unelected government claims that most of the smog comes from mainland China. But this is a cop out. You can see dirty smoke boiling out of the privately owned power stations which are working flat out to sell power to China. To paraphrase Bob Dylan, money doesn’t talk here, it shouts. The buses pour diesel fumes onto city streets packed with private limos.

Tonight I watched a lemon coloured sun sink into a grey and gritty sea. Tomorrow, only two things are certain. The sky will be grey. The HK government will announce tht pollution levels are acceptable.

Thanks for the feedback, and update. This adds important context.