Hong Kong, ghosts, and I: an opinionated hauntological observation

This article presents my hauntological reflections on the cultural and societal shifts in Hong Kong, observed during a short trip, looking into tangible aspects like street views and people, alongside intangible influences like politics and cultural evolution. In this piece, hauntology, as defined by Jacques Derrida, refers to the ongoing influence of the past on the present, underscoring how unresolved historical tensions and political changes shape cultural and societal dynamics. This piece is structured into three parts, with the first offering my general reflections on the people and culture of Hong Kong, juxtaposed with past figures, and the second presenting a conversation with my Hongkongese travel companion about the changes we noticed as we stood before Victoria Park. The final part discusses political transitions, particularly in the context of the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement, and their cultural implications, as analysed through literature and past cultural research. Characterised as opinionated, this article integrates personal reflections and photographic documentation, resembling a photo essay, and is focused on exploring and confronting the persistent ‘ghosts’ of Hong Kong’s cultural landscape—phenomena that seem to have disappeared but remain relevant today. This work adds depth to the academic debates on the role of historical consciousness in shaping political restructuring and societal adaptation in Hong Kong.