Beijing

Olympics
Torch Relay in Hong Kong 2008

Two different Patriotic Emotions to China

POST

– Olympic Relay in Hong Kong

The Olympic torch relay resumed on Chinese soil after into an abuse-shouting mob bashing anyone protesting - in
its global journey across five continents, Hong Kong Chief sharp contrast to the usual tolerant demeanour.
Executive, Mr Donald Tsang said, ‘it is great and solemn
honour for Hong kong, Asia’s
T ens of thousands of red-clad relay supporters mixed
HONG KONG

with a small number of rival human rights protesters dressed

world city, to be the fist city
in China to welcome back the
Olympic flame. The Olympic
torch relay started in Hong Kong
on 5th May, 2008. Hundred of
thousand of people have already
waited at both sides of Nathan
Road in Tism Sha Tsui before
the relay started, despite of it
was raining.
in orange – turned out on the streets. It is no dispute that
everyone presented cared for the nation finally fulfilling its
long held desire to host the Olympic. However, when the
event was seemingly carried out smoothly, confrontations
appeared between the relay supporters and the protestors.
The police had to drag away the protesters in order to calm
down the atmosphere. The police’s treatment was criticized
by many activists.

Many groups of mainlanders travel to Hong Kong

to support Beijing Olympic. Hong Kong government
encouraged the citizens to turn out wearing in red in
order to show their patriotism which is said to be lack in
Hong Kong. Some organizations gave out Chinese flags
and stickers freely during the day to make the event more
exciting. There was a sea of red when the camera looked
upon the crowds.
W hen torchbearers run through,
the crowds waved flags and
banners with the words ‘Beijing
2008’ and wore red stickers with
four Chinese characters that said Beijing
‘Go China!’ The crowds showed
a strong patriotic emotion. One
Olympic,
second, the flag-waving patriots Go
were cheering passing torch-
bearers, the next instant they turned China!
 Beijing
Olympics
2008 Torch Relay in Hong Kong
Protesters in orange Dragged away T he Olympic torch relay in Hong Kong has been
criticized as a political decision as most of the non-athletic
by the Police, outwighted by Cheer torch bearers were from the pro-China political clan. In
the street, the Beijing supporters also out-numbered the
Overseas protests in Beijing Olympic torch relay protesters for human rights. However, in the virtual torch
arouses the collective concern of China’s worse human relay organized by local bloggers, the viewpoints are much
right status. Being the first city in China to have Olympic more diverse.
torch relay,
Hong Kong
government
put its great
effort to avoid
any threatening
protesting

HONG KONG P.2 POST

activities
to happen.
S e v e r a l
p r o t e s t s
organized by
political parties
and some
individuals
were overwhelmed by tens
of thousands of noisy torch
supporters – both Hong
Kongers and mainlanders
– who turned out in red to
support Beijing Olympic
games.

T he protester requested
China to respect human
right and release Wu Kai,
a writer in China who has
been poisoned due to his
articles. Some protesters
were reported to be hit by
the crowds. Christina Chan,
a student of the University
of Hong Kong wrapped a
Tibetan flag around her,
dreesed in rgange and
chanted –pro-Tibet slogans
to protest against China’s
recent crackdown in the
region following deadly
riots was dragged away into
police van. Prior to flame’s arrival, the autheorities had
deported at least seven activists they believed could be Some people argue that the demonstration is another kind
troublemakers, including Leung Kok Hung, nicknamed of patriotic emotion to China.
Long Hair. This drew criticism that Hong King had
tarnished its famed status as a free city.

Torch Relay in Hong Kong
Olympic Flames Passed
around Hong Kong
P opular stars and athletes such as Andy Lau, Kelly
Chen and Hong Kong’s only Olympic gold medalist Lee
Lai Shan were picked to start the relay – a move many
saw as a tactic to ease potential unrest as many people
were unhappy when the rumor of Chief Executive, Donald
Tsang will run the first spread. In contrast, many pro-
Beijing politicians and businessmen, who were more likely
to attract protesters, ran in areas that were less accessible
or closed off entirely to the public, such as the Tsing ma
HONG KONG P.3 POST
Bridge.
T orch relay was planed to have 200 torchbearers, but
one of them was absent due to the flight delay, making it
into totally 119 involved. They proceeded without a hitch
on foot, dragon boat, horseback and yacht. Windsurfer Lee
was first to carry the torch, while Asiad champion, cyclist
Wong Kam Po, rounded it off at the Gold Bauhinia statue in
Wan Chai, which overlooks the famous Victoria Harbour.
At midday, the flame had also passed through the Shatin
racecourse, where the Olympic equestrian events will be
staged in August. The torch moves to nighbouring Macau
today before heading to Sanya, hainan province.
Tism Sha Tsui
1 2
Beijing
Olympics
2008
The torch was carried on foot, on horseback, by golf
cart, ferry and, for the first time in history, on a dragon
boat. That was also when it went out briefly - a hiccup
on the Sha Tin leg promptly corrected by the ever-present
mainland torch attendants. While the blue-clad security
officers saw no action from protesters, Beijing’s invisible
hand was present throughout the relay - as attendants
repeatedly reminded runners of the correct torch-handling
positions.
Although it was difficult to tell whether the cheers
were from fans of celebrity torch-bearers such as
singers Andy Lau Tak-wah and Kelly Chen Wai-lam
or from Olympics supporters, there was no mistake
that spectators became hysterical wherever the torch
went.
Torchbearer Mr Sy Ethan Timothy for leg no.41
of the Torch Relay in Hong Kong cannot join the relay
today (May 2) because of flight
delay. The torchbearer for leg Tism Sha Tin
no.40, Ms Cheng Yuk-han, will
Tsing Ma Bridge
3 H
 Beijing
Olympics
2008 Torch Relay in Hong Kong
take up Mr Sy’s leg in addition to her own.
2 foreign
chil
in the cele dren join
Special Capture of the day! br
by showin ation
g the flag
and stick s
er, a perf
1
match. cte

4
appily
A girl h 2
p
raised u lgs
Chin e s ef
ws
Talk with the audience!
and sho r

HONG KONG P.4 POST

he
them to
friend. A nna, an student from the
university of Hong Kong
arrived in Tsim Sha Tsui
early the morning to watch
the Beijing Olympic
lice torch relay. She feeled
h e po ing excited that she has the
T rvey
is su nd in a e chance. She thinks this

2
th
arou ing up d. is the day of China
l d a
bui en Ro ang Hong Kong.
t h
Na She thinked the
governemnt did
not show the
route clear
and told
A lot of the citizen
workers are st
ill where will
working during
be blocked.
the torch relay
She suggests
is carried out.

3
the gov. to
inprove the
arrangement
and hope to
allow greater
room of
expresion.

4 5 6
Hung Hom BypassKowloon Central
Public Pier 3