According to media reports, the protests in Hong Kong – now in their 21st week – have reached an impasse with China. Yet this remains a significant and important economic region to which businesses need to send employees. Global provider of travel risk management and international medical, security and travel assistance services, Healix International, is therefore urging employers to apply stringent security measures for any employees in the region.
“Hong Kong is assessed by Healix International as a LOW security risk country generally”, explained Sebastian Liu, Global Threat Analyst for the Asia Pacific region at Healix International.
“However the recent large-scale demonstrations and violent clashes between police and protestors – which are showing no sign of abating – have left some employers uncertain about the scale of the risks and what guidance to give to employees. In particular, the risk of foreign nationals being caught up in the protests has increased as it is difficult to predict the next protest location. The protesters have employed ‘hit and run’ tactics to avoid prolonged confrontation with the police and have been vandalising metro stations and damaging the transportation infrastructure. And all of this adds to the risk levels for employers.
“As well as providing businesses with employees in the region with one to one support as necessary, we have created a hitlist of useful advice that can be shared with workers. The key is maintain vigilance and ensure there are back-up plans for evacuation should employees feel unsafe.”
Healix advice to travellers visiting Hong Kong
- On protest days, plan routes that bypass the vicinity of protest locations and flashpoints for unrest.
- Be aware of the incidental risk of violence in the event that business-critical journeys through the affected areas is required.
- Refrain from frequenting establishments linked to the ongoing unrest on protest days. This includes mainland Chinese banks, Huawei, Miniso, China Mobile, Japanese restaurant chain Yoshinoya and other establishments under the Maxim’s Group and Fulum Group Holdings. The Maxim’s Group operates, among others, Best Mark 360 stores, Genki Sushi restaurants and Starbucks
- Other flashpoints of unrest include shopping malls adjoined to metro stations, including Sha Tin’s CityLink Plaza and New Town Plaza, Tsueng Kwan O’s PopCorn, Tsuen Wan’s Luk Yeung Galleria, Tsing Yi’s Maritime Square, ELEMENTS in West Kowloon, and Kowloon Bay’s Telford Plaza. Localised clashes have been reported within malls between protesters and counter-protesters
- Protesters are also known to gather at the UK and US diplomatic representations, government facilities, metro and police stations across the territory, and multiple locations in central Hong Kong Island. This includes the Fortress Hill and North Point district, Victoria Park, Edinburgh Place, Chater Garden, Tamar Park, and government buildings such as the Legislative Council Complex, the Central Government Complex, and Revenue Tower.
- Do not stop to watch, film or take photographs of protests owing to the incidental risk of violence. Civilians, journalists and bystanders have increasingly been impacted; the police have admitted to more aggressive tactics, and press staff have been detained and wounded on several occasions
- Metro stations are liable to close at very short notice in the affected areas on protest days and stations may be pre-emptively closed in the lead-up to protests in the area
- Developments regarding the ongoing unrest should be closely monitored via social media, local news outlets, the Telegram encrypted messaging platform, and local internet forums, like the LiHKG website
- Black and white clothing has been associated with both protesters and counter-protesters; it’s advisable to refrain from wearing these colours on protest days. Also, limit carrying any items that may give the impression to the authorities of involvement in protests; this includes masks, hard hats and umbrellas
- From 5 October, protesters are forbidden from concealing their faces, whether with a mask or facepaint. Only those with health, religious, professional or employment reasons are exempted.
- There are reports of greater scrutiny from mainland authorities at border crossings between the mainland and Hong Kong at this time, including checks on travellers’ electronic devices
- Refrain from political discussion in public and making statements on social media.
- The Airport Express services may also be impacted on days when protests are due to target transportation services linking the city to Hong Kong International Airport [HKG]
“The ‘hit and run’ nature of the demonstrations, and the targeting of the transportation infrastructure adds another level of uncertainty for business travellers and their employers”, concluded Sebastian Liu.
“It’s crucial, therefore, that firms monitor the situation very closely, particularly if there is a need to maintain a presence in the region. Working with a specialist like Healix International can help with this process and can provide another means of direct contact with employees through the ‘Watch Country’ function on our Travel Oracle app to receive notifications on alerts for potential security incidents and disruption.”