Some people predicted the death of Hong Kong 25 years ago, but this prophecy did not fulfill at the time. After 25 years have passed, Hong Kong has finally died.

Today, I attended the city’s funeral. On the way, I saw many people dragging their feet as they too took the path towards the funeral home. Inside the grand hall was the coffin where many people and I gathered around to mourn for Hong Kong in silence late into the night. Suddenly, a crowd charged into the funeral hall and shouted, “Wait! Is Hong Kong really dead? Don’t be fooled by those with ulterior motives. I still see Hong Kong alive, out and about today.”

In the funeral hall, someone quietly replied, “Hong Kong is dead. You miss her therefore you have mistaken her to be alive in your illusion.” Another person challenged, “How do you know the Hong Kong you see is real? Someone has replaced the real with a fake and the real Hong Kong is already dead. What you see now is an imposter pretending to be Hong Kong.” Someone said, “Even if you do see Hong Kong, can’t you see that she has completely metamorphosized? She is no longer the same Hong Kong from the past because that Hong Kong is already dead.” When the group heard these responses, most of them became more furious. As they left the funeral hall, they continued to shout, “Hong Kong is not dead! You people are cursing Hong Kong and you should be the ones to die!”

There were some people who followed this group into the funeral hall. They did not clamor, but just stayed on the sidelines and watched with suspicious eyes. When they heard the responses of the people in the hall, they shook their heads. One of them said, “Hong Kong is indeed ill but she is not yet dead. We have to track her down and find a remedy for her. It is meaningless for you people to stay here.” With that, they silently made their exit.

However, a few of those who barged into the hall did not leave. Instead, When they heard that Hong Kong is truly dead, they burst into tears and howled, “Ah, Hong Kong is really dead!” Their wails triggered many people to also weep and some even passed out. Someone bellowed, “With Hong Kong dead, is there meaning to anything anymore?” “I have nowhere to go! What should I do?”

A group of people stood up in the funeral hall and one of them said coldly, “So what if Hong Kong is really dead?” Another person took delight in the misfortune and said, “Isn’t it better with Hong Kong dead? Now, we can find a better place and our lives will become even better!” Then they took leave as well.

At this time, people in the hall began to divide into smaller clusters. Some tried to console those who wailed in grief while others started to talk. I heard a group of people disputing the cause of Hong Kong’s death. “Hong Kong died of illness.” “What disease did she have?” “How long had she been sick? How come I didn’t know?” “Did she see a doctor? Why is this disease incurable?” “No, Hong Kong was murdered.” “That’s right, she was poisoned to death.” “Who killed Hong Kong?” “I know who it is!” “Don’t speak carelessly, we could get into trouble if someone overheard.” “Don’t act recklessly.” Some people quarreled and turned crimson with rage. Some people retrieved to a corner and ignored the others, just stared silently at Hong Kong’s coffin.

I walked to another group of people and heard them reminiscing about the old Hong Kong. Each of them recounted fond memories from the past. “I recall when Hong Kong still existed, we lived so freely in those days!” “Indeed! I still remember when the rule of law, human rights, the separation of powers still existed and everyone was so natural being together!” “It was a pity that democracy never came after the long wait.” “It was because that path was blocked.” “Upon the arrival of authoritarianism, nothing is ever the same again.” In the end, everyone sighed, “This is now all in the past! We will never have a chance to see the Hong Kong we all love again!”

Just when I was also indulging in nostalgia for Hong Kong, someone tenderly tapped my shoulder and then a gentle and soft voice said, “Even though Hong Kong is dead, don’t be afraid and don’t worry because, after a while, you will see her resurrect. When she returns, she will remove the old attire that made her die and will don a new golden suit.” I questioned doubtfully, “Why do you say that Hong Kong will resurrect?” The voice replied, “The night will pass and dawn will inevitably come after the darkness. Moreover, it is also because all of you have the firm determination and none of you have given up.” I asked, “Then what should we do now?” The voice said, “A widespread earthquake is rattling and a tsunami is coming. Get ready soon.”

I wanted to ask more about what preparations should be made but when I turned around to see who was talking to me, there was no one to be seen. I only felt a gust of wind blowing gently, leading me out of the funeral hall. At that time, the night was almost over. When I gazed up into the sky, it was starless darkness but I could see a vague glimpse of golden light from afar. Then I realized I was not alone, beside me stood many people who all looked at that far away faint golden light. Hand in hand, everyone walks toward the golden light together.

(Benny Tai Yiu-Ting is a Hong Kong legal scholar and democracy activist.)

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