Zeroing (published on June 26, 2022, the last Sunday before July 1, 2022)
In 1994, a monument was erected in Beijing counting down the days and even seconds to Hong Kong’s return to the motherland. It is said that the timer was later kept in a museum after the “handover” on July 1, 1997, with the numbers frozen at ‘0 Hour, 0 Minute, 0 Second’.
In the days leading up to the 25th anniversary of the handover, a sea of red incessantly reminds people of the event.
The “handover”, or in Chinese “Wui Gwai” (回歸) means going back to one’s original place, or returning home.
However, many in the city have started to count down their days left in Hong Kong with an indefinite date for homecoming.
Their journey ahead would soon begin from day zero and here’s a to-do list before the clock kicks start from 00:00.00.00.
1. Use a low-tech way to weigh the luggage
2. Fight deadlines by packing up to the last second
3. Take pictures of your beloved toy and pet
4. Invite friends over for a farewell dinner
5. Find your destinations on a map
6. Write down the names of friends you’ll miss
7. Say goodbye to neighbors’ dog
8. Take one last look at the empty apartment
(This is part of my long-term project "Farewell Hong Kong".)
