It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that 2019 may go down in the annals of history as one of the gloomiest years in Hong Kong. As the city’s denizens look to greet 2020, there may be a budding hope that things could take a turn for the better in the New Year. In preparation for the endless possibilities that might unfold, we at Gafencu have boarded the time machine and skipped a year ahead to a parallel, rose-tinted universe where all frowns have turned upside down. So, indulge us if you will, as we fast-forward to 1 December 2020, and dwell on the ‘what-could-be’s for the 12 months of 2020… 

Universal Studios in Hong Kong

Get ready to be immersed in the wizarding world of Harry Potter or to shake a leg with King Julien from Madagascar, as Universal Studios has launched its much-anticipated Epic Universe theme park in Hong Kong. Having opened its doors just ahead of the Lunar New Year in January, it looks set to draw thousands of visitors, both locals and tourists alike. Word is, it’s even bigger than the one in Singapore.

Oscar win for Andy Lau

Hong Kong’s very own actor extraordinaire Andy Lau won one of the highest acting accolades in the world by bagging the coveted Oscars for the Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his stellar performance as a celebrated choir conductor in Cantonese drama Find Your Voice. The film hit a second jackpot the same evening when it won Best Film in a Foreign Language. According to film pundits, this double success is bound to give the local movie industry the leg up that it needs.

“We have boarded a time machine and skipped a year ahead to a rose-tinted universe”

Air Quality Index at 10pts

Move over Reykjavík, Wellington and Calgary… Hong Kong is here to grab a much-coveted spot on the list of the top 10 cleanest cities in the world. With the HKSAR government spending billions of dollars on the Care for Air initiative, the Fragrant Harbour’s air has remained consistently within the healthy 0-50 range in the global Air Quality Index (AQI) and even dropped down to 10pts in March. It looks like the city’s residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Inbound tourism soars

The Fragrant Harbour’s population almost doubled, at least temporarily, over the Chinese New Year, as seven million tourists trooped to the city both from the mainland and overseas, spending time and more than HK$5 billion to immerse in the best experiences the 852 has to offer. Needless to say, with hotels booked to maximum capacity and restaurants reserved in advance for weeks, the local F&B industry is laughing all the way to the bank.

New airport to open

Hong Kong’s existing Chek Lap Kok Airport (HKG) has been on the verge of buckling under the pressure of a ceaseless flow of inbound traffic. To ease its burden, the government announced in April that it will unveil a brand new 200,000sq.m airport facility at Discovery Bay by the end of 2021. Designed by renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and filled to the brim with top notch amenities, this is one infrastructure that may even give Beijing’s newly-opened Daxing Airport a run for its money. Small wonder then that luxury brands are vying for space to open flagship stores at the new venue.

Anti-typhoon missile developed

T8s and T10s may soon be things of the past, with the scientists at Hong Kong University’s The Swire Institute of Marine Sciences developing a test missile that, if successfully launched, is said to have the ability to divert the path of typhoons. While it’s still in an experimental stage, it’s safe to say that if the project is a success, typhoon season will well and truly be over in the port city. Bye-bye, Mangkhut!

HKEX jumps 3,000pts

Hong Kong’s stock exchange bull is charging towards new heights with the city strengthening its position as a financial and technological hub in China’s Greater Bay Initiative. As the year steadily progresses towards the green’ zone, the HKEX is also looking to woo those companies that had, in the recent past, chosen to list in the US’s larger markets.

“Maybe sooner – rather than later – at least some of our wishful thinking may just come true”

Foreign investors queue up

With the city’s Closer Economic Partnership with mainland China (CEPA), the Fragrant Harbour is now the obvious first choice for companies looking to enter the China market. The city’s excellent infrastructure, business knowledge of China, as well as no additional levied taxes, all make it a very lucrative place for foreign investors. No doubt it’s a combination of these factors that has led Amazon, the US’s retail megastar, as well as tech giants such as Facebook and Google to look to get listed on HKEX.

Carrie Lam wins Nobel Prize

The year was turning out to be peachy so far, but the feather in the cap came in October when it was announced that HKSAR’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam will receive the Nobel Prize for Peace for being instrumental in fostering a feeling of fraternity and harmony between China and Hong Kong. Come 10 December, all Hongkongers will be waiting with bated breath to hear her acceptance speech as she collects the prestigious prize in Sweden.

Most Instagrammed city

As of December 2020, Guinness World Records has confirmed that Hong Kong is the most Instagrammed city in the world based on the number of geotags used by the platform’s users. This is the first year that an Asian city has nudged New York, the consecutive winner for two years, out of the top spot. With gourmet food choices, landmark locations and a vibrant, upbeat ambience, it’s easy to understand why the 852 bagged the top spot. Way to go, Hong Kong…

Ah well, it’s time to break out of the reverie and come back to reality. But who knows, maybe sooner rather than later, at least some of our wishful thinking may yet come true. Fingers crossed.