Hong Kongers Protest Plan Allowing Mainlanders to Visit by Car

On Sunday, February 12th, hundreds of Hong Kongers descended on Victoria Park carrying signs and shouting slogans in an organized protest against a government plan that would allow Mainland tourists to drive their cars into the city when visiting Hong Kong.

Organized on Facebook, ostensibly to further distinguish themselves against the censored, “backwards” Mainland, the protestors rallied support via an event page “Everyone Resist Mainland Cars Coming to Hong Kong!” Aside from advertising the rally, users took the liberty of linking harrowing news stories of Mainland accidents and posting grisly pictures of car crashes. Over 7,000 people pledged to attend the rally, though on the day of the event only an estimated 500 arrived.

The proposal itself is a two-stage plan that would first allow Hong Kongers to drive to the Mainland beginning in March, but as of yet has no clear date on when Mainlanders would be allowed to drive into Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government hopes the proposal will promote economic and social integration of Hong Kong into the Pearl River Delta region and further stimulate a booming tourism trade that rakes in billions of HKD every year from an ever increasing Mainland middle class.

Despite the potential economic benefits, Hong Kongers remain worried that allowing ~~locusts~~ Mainlanders to drive their cars into Hong Kong will exacerbate congestion and pollution problems, as well as increase the number of accidents due to a perceived lack of regulation on Mainland roads.

Bonus: In true style of any internet organized protest, spot the Guy Fawkes mask!