World

Hong Kong: 'I was tear gassed getting my lunch'

November 16, 2019 1:03 pm

“I’ve been tear-gassed a few times, but never when I was outside my office – popping out to get my lunch,” says one trader at HSBC.

He is describing the moment this week when Hong Kong’s protests came to the central financial district, one of the world’s biggest commercial hubs.

He says it was a watershed moment, that’s made him and many of his peers question their future in the city.

Article continues after advertisement

Speaking to the BBC under the condition of anonymity, directors at some of the biggest international banks and law firms said they are seeing their business in Hong Kong shrink as the protests continue to escalate.

Financial services make up a fifth of Hong Kong’s economy and people come from all over the world to live and work here. Its large expatriate community is attracted by the low taxes, well-paid jobs, stability and high standards of living.

However, the lure of prosperity and stability in the East Asian hub has been undermined substantially since Hong Kong has been racked by five months of anti-government protests, backing increased democracy and opposing the actions of the police.