bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Kinling Lo

Meet the class of ’97, born the year of the handover. Their childhoods tell the stories of Hong Kong’s first two decades after the return to China. Some remember Sars, others took part in Occupy. Now, they’re trying to work out what their future holds – and how Hong Kong’s own uncertain future fits into their plans.
Derek Kwong Siu-fai
“I have lived in Wan Chai since I was born and feel strongly attached to the community. My hobby is collecting model cars and I bought most of them in nearby Tai Yuen Street. I would like to live here even after I get married, but I do not think I can afford a flat with the way prices are right now.






“During Occupy, I was a volunteer for student group Scholarism and helped transport water for the protesters.

“In recent years, apart from the conflicts between the government and the people, incidents such as the missing Causeway Bay booksellers also came to my attention.
“Despite the “one country, two systems” principle, this incident shows that Chinese officials are perhaps starting to execute power in the city. I am worried that “mainlandisation” will have a growing impact on ordinary people’s livelihoods.



“As a student, I have noticed how the growing number of mainland students has created keener competition in higher education and, later, the jobs market.
“Every year many one-way permit holders come to live here. I wonder if this is a Beijing plan to dilute the local population through time with those from the mainland.”


Hong Kong is going through the five stages of grief, before acceptance of fate as a part of China

Hong Kong extradition bill protests blurring the lines between peaceful picket and mob riot

Singapore feels for Hong Kong protesters, but won’t support violence: harmony and stability are core values

No, Hong Kong’s problems were not created by liberal studies: but unaccountable officials may have played a role

Hong Kong handover 20th anniversary

Class of ’97: Derek Kwong says the growing number of mainland students has raised competition for jobs

Derek Kwong Siu-fai likes collecting model cars and bought most of them in Tai Yuen Street in Wan Chai. Photo: Nora Tam

News

Hong Kong

Education

Derek Kwong fears that incidents such as the Causeway Bay booksellers saga shows a growing mainland Chinese influence in Hong Kong and fears it will soon have an effect on ordinary people’s livelihoods


Hong Kong handover 20th anniversary: Celebrations