Prologue Journal

Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

2023 In Pictures: A year of post-pandemic firsts as Hong Kong emerged from lengthy Covid-related isolation

Hong Kong Free Press

2023 In Pictures

Hong Kong entered 2023 with Covid-related restrictions still in place. It was not until February that the city’s border with mainland China fully reopened, and it was March before the mask mandate was lifted.

Travellers rush through a border control point at Lok Ma Chau on January 8, 2023, when Hong Kong’s border with mainland China partially reopened after Covid-19, Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

In the months that followed, Hong Kong celebrated a series of post-pandemic firsts: the first Ramadan without restrictions on how many people could sit around a table together; the first mask-free Songkran, which ended with arrests after police officers were shot with water guns; and the first Tiananmen crackdown anniversary since restrictions on the number of people who could gather were lifted, which saw people stopped by police over candles, clothes and slogans.

The year also saw fireworks return to Victoria Harbour for China’s National Day for the first time since 2018, successive extreme weather events, and Hong Kong’s first “patriots-only” District Council poll, which resulted in the lowest-ever turnout for an election in post-Handover Hong Kong.

https://hongkongfp.com/2023/03/26/in-pictures-hong-kongs-muslims-mark-first-ramadan-since-covid-19/ — People spell “Free HK political prisoners” in lights atop Lion Rock, on January 1, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Hongkongers flock to see blooming cherry blossom trees around Chek Lap Kok South on February 10, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Hongkongers flock to see cherry blossom trees in bloom around Chek Lap Kok South on February 10, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

A couple kiss in a shopping mall on February 14, 2023, the valentine’s day. Government lifted the Covid-19 mask mandate on March 1, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — A couple kiss in a Hong Kong shopping mall on February 14, 2023. The Covid-19 mask mandate was not lifted until March 1, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

A refuse collection point in Kwai Chung Estate displayed recycled painting and decoration on the wall on March 6, 2023. Cleaners were banned from hanging decorations on the wall after the refuse collection point was reported and became famous. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — A refuse collection point in Kwai Chung Estate on March 6, 2023. Cleaners were banned from hanging decorations on the wall after the refuse collection point was featured by local media. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

A man protests and cries outside the central government office on March 16, 2023. Complaining that his son was bullied by other students and ignored by school. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — A man protests outside Hong Kong’s Central Government Offices on March 16, 2023, saying that his son’s bullying was ignored by his school. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Neon signs salvaged by the NGO Tetra Neon Exchange, March 21, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Neon signs salvaged by the NGO Tetra Neon Exchange, in Hong Kong, on March 21, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

The first evening of Ramadan at Kowloon Mosque on March 23, 2023. It marked the first time since 2019 that they could gather and break their fast in public due to Covid-19 restrictions over the past three years. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — The first evening of Ramadan at Kowloon Mosque on March 23, 2023. It marked the first time since 2019 that Muslims could gather and break their fast in public due to Covid-19 restrictions. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Citizens spray water on police officers during Songkran Festival in Kowloon City on April 9, 2023. Four days later, 2 men were arrested and accused of “assaulting police officers”. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — People spray water at police officers during Songkran Festival in Kowloon City on April 9, 2023. Two men were later arrested and accused of assaulting police officers. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Underground idol group Otadol.HK’s instant photos for HKFP. The group was dismissed this year after the HKFP report was published. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Instant photos taken by underground idol group Otadol.HK for HKFP in April 2023. The group was dismissed this year after the HKFP report was published. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Thousands gather in Hong Kong shopping hub to celebrate Mirror heart throb Keung To’s 23rd birthday. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Thousands gather in Hong Kong shopping hub Causeway Bay to celebrate Mirror heart throb Keung To’s birthday, on April 30, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

A group of university students visit the stray animal shelter House of Joy and Mercy in Yuen Long to volunteer with the animals, on May 8, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — A group of rescue dogs are walked by volunteers for stray animal shelter House of Joy and Mercy in Yuen Long, on May 8, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Veteran activist Grandma Wong is taken away by police in Causeway Bay on June 4, 2023, the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Hong Kong journalist Bao Choy posted for photo on June 20, 2023. The Court of Final Appeal quashed her conviction for making false statements linked to accessing vehicle records for a documentary about the 2019 Yuen Long mob attack. Photo: Kyle Lam/ HKFP. — Hong Kong journalist Bao Choy on June 20, 2023, soon after the Court of Final Appeal quashed her conviction for making false statements linked to accessing vehicle records for a documentary about the 2019 Yuen Long mob attack. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Citizens’ Radio’s last day of broadcasting on Friday, June 30, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

A man looks at the city view of Hong Kong on the observation deck in the International Commerce Centre. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — A man looks at Hong Kong from the observation deck in the International Commerce Centre. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Derek Yuen, son of wanted activist Elmer Yuen, left the police headquarters on Monday, July 24, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Derek Yuen, son of wanted activist Elmer Yuen, leaves Hong Kong’s police headquarters on July 24, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

A whale carcass found in Hong Kong waters on July 31, 2023 was lifted out of the sea at around 6.30 pm. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — A whale carcass found in Hong Kong waters on July 31, 2023, is lifted out of the sea. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Cosplayers as Hoshino Ai, a character from the anime Oshi no Ko. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Cosplayers as Hoshino Ai, a character from the anime Oshi no Ko, at an anime and comics convention in Hong Kong in July 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Bobo Yip was taken to a bookstore in Yau Ma Tei, where police gathered evidence, on August 10, 2023. She was suspected of conspiring with the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund to “accept donations from foreign organisations, and provide financial assistance to organisations that support overseas fugitives or advocate for imposing sanctions on Hong Kong.”. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Activist Bobo Yip is taken by police to a bookstore in Yau Ma Tei, on August 10, 2023. She was suspected of conspiring with the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund to “accept donations from foreign organisations, and provide financial assistance to organisations that support overseas fugitives or advocate for imposing sanctions on Hong Kong.” Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Construction workers work in hot weather in Hong Kong on August 16, 2023. Hong Kong introduced a heatstroke warning system for outdoor workers, the city has sweated through its hottest summer since records began in 1884, according to the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Construction workers in Hong Kong, on August 16, 2023. The city sweated through its hottest summer since records began in 1884, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Shing Mun River in Sha Tin on Saturday, September 2, 2023 after it flooded in the wake of Super Typhoon Saola. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

A tent set up in a subway, with barricades near its entrance, in Hong Kong, on September 5, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Cars stranded on a road amid downpours during record-breaking rain on Sept. 8, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Cars stranded on a road amid downpours during record-breaking rainfall in Hong Kong on September 8, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Citizens watching the landslide in Shau Kei Wan during record-breaking rain on Sept, 8, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP — People look at a landslide in Shau Kei Wan that occurred after record-breaking rainfall on September 8, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP

People hold red flags to celebrate the national day in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, on October 1, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — People hold flags to celebrate China’s National Day in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, on October 1, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Hong Kong’s National Day fireworks display on October 1, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Swimmers prepare to race across the harbour on November 12, 2022. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Swimmers prepare to race across Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour on November 12, 2022. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Musician Alex G performing in the Clockenflap Festival on December 1, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Musician Alex G performs at Clockenflap music and arts festival in Hong Kong, on December 1, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Hong Kong geared up for Sunday’s first “patriots only” local election on Saturday, December 9, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Hong Kong gears up for its first “patriots only” District Council election on December 9, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

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https://hongkongfp.com/2023/12/25/2023-in-pictures-a-year-of-post-pandemic-firsts-as-hong-kong-emerged-from-lengthy-covid-related-isolation/