Behind-the-Scenes Report

HONG KONG – Here, more than in most places, government officials and the truth rarely meet.

On May 2, the Olympic torch passed through the streets as crowds, tens of thousands strong, cheered its progress. Then the torch went to Macau and on, bound for the Beijing Olympic Games in August.

Newspapers, especially those with a pro-China slant, hastily depicted the local torch relay as a huge success. Maybe folks need a reality check.

Predictions had called for 200,000 people to turn out and scream support for the Beijing Olympics. Ultimately, the glowing day-after news stories pegged the crowds at “more than 100,000 people”. But on many holidays, much bigger crowds gather to watch mundane fireworks displays.

School children, herded out to wave tiny flags, accounted for many of the torch-run attendees. Thousands more spectators poured in like invaders from across the mainland border. This influx contrasted sharply to attitudes at the Hong Kong International Airport. There, Immigration authorities turned away human-rights and pro-Tibet activists.

The event organizers and supporters had urged Hong Kong people to wear red clothing (the color of China’s flag) on May 2 to show heartfelt support for the Beijing Olympics. As the torch left Hong Kong, a government leader orated about the “ocean of red that washed over Hong Kong today”.

But on most Hong Kong streets, those beyond the torch route, that “ocean” couldn’t fill a puddle. Even as the torch passed nearby, most of the seven million locals ignored it and pursued their daily activities dressed in black, brown, white, yellow, grey or green, anything but red. (See the photos.)

Despite the government chatter and media reports that the torch run went “without a hitch”, disturbing things happened. The few people most keen to demonstrate for human rights had to cancel most of their plans when surrounded, impeded and bullied by belligerent, slogan-yelling, pro-Beijing fanatics. That day, Hong Kong sorely lacked freedom of expression.

Used or unused red clothing and many of the waved flags soon tumbled into rubbish bins. With the Olympic torch gone, what comes next -- maybe a huge bonfire for red flags and rags?


A huge clock in a Mass Transit rail
station counts down to the Games.


As torch-runners trot outside,
many commuters avoid red attire.


A woman rushes, but not for the torch.


Soon many of the waved flags
tumble into rubbish bins.


Next a big bonfire for red flags and rags?

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