Your Voice: Hong Kong through the eyes of foreign students; hydrogen and the future of fuel (long letters)

When Sania, a student from Singapore, arrived at the Hong Kong International Airport in 2018, she was greeted by a bustling crowd of tourists. She had high expectations for her stay in this vibrant city.

However, Nitta, an exchange student from Japan currently studying in Form Four in Hong Kong, experienced a starkly different scene at the airport when he arrived recently. He was met with an eerie silence as the terminal appeared deserted.

In recent years, Hong Kong has undergone significant changes. The spotlight on the city, as it sat on the world stage, has dimmed. While the future may seem bleak, some foreign students continue to choose the city for cultural exchange programmes. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Hong Kong has managed to retain some of its appeal.

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One of Hong Kong’s most significant attributes is its transport system, particularly the MTR. Nitta said that the railway system in Hong Kong is not only convenient, but its map is easy to understand. In contrast, Tokyo’s train map is complicated and confusing. Sania also appreciated the cleanliness of Hong Kong’s trains.

Nitta also enjoyed the city’s proximity to nature. He often goes on hikes with his host family, taking advantage of Hong Kong’s distinctive landscape of gentle mountains that are perfect for beginners.

Hong Kong is also known as a culinary paradise with a variety of cuisines. Both Nitta and Sania enjoy the iconic street snack known as three-stuffed treasures and the highly acclaimed egg waffles.

Moreover, Hong Kong has been heavily influenced by British culture, from its food and transport to its street names and architecture. Nitta appreciates the Western-influenced dishes such as Hong Kong-style French toast and milk tea, while the trams and St John’s Cathedral serve as prominent symbols of Hong Kong’s blend of cultures. Sania believes that these features give Hong Kong a distinctive position in the world, and we should take pride in them.

But Hong Kong is not all glamour and glitz. Nitta said that hygiene in Hong Kong was worse than in Japan, particularly in the older parts of the city where he is staying. Most roads and public toilets are littered with waste.

Sania also had much to say about its housing prices. Hong Kong is notorious for its lack of affordable homes, and many citizens are forced to live in subdivided flats or even cage homes. It is high time for the government to take action, as it is unacceptable for a cosmopolitan city to have these issues.

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When asked if they would go on an exchange to Hong Kong again, Nitta explained that although he adores the city, she would like to go to places outside Asia, such as Europe or America. However, he would not hesitate to visit Hong Kong again. Sania liked the idea of an exchange programme in Hong Kong as she could learn Cantonese, which would bolster her job prospects, and also experience an alternative education system to broaden her horizons.

Nitta would like to tell students that studying abroad is meaningful and worthwhile. He never regretted his decision to participate in an exchange programme, despite the fear of repeating a year or being separated from friends. He added: “Even if you are afraid of the unknown, joining an exchange programme is a journey of a lifetime. I learned a lot of crucial things about life during my stay.”

Let us ride the waves of change and continue to appreciate the unique beauty of Hong Kong.

Yoyo Ngai from St Paul’s Convent School; Chinny Kwok from West Island School

The use of more than 1,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles at the Beijing Olympics in 2022 generated global interest and caused a stir. Following the Games, many people were exposed to these innovative and sustainable vehicles for the first time.

Although this technology has recently made headlines, the concept of using hydrogen as a fuel source dates back to the 19th century. It has gained significant attention and investment since the establishment of the Hydrogen Council at the World Economic Forum in 2017. Hopefully, Beijing’s recent demonstration of this energy form will inspire more countries to explore this as a green alternative.

Recent advancements have made it more appealing to consumers. For example, it is able to function in extremely cold weather conditions as low as negative 30 degrees Celsius.

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Nearly a year after Zhangjiakou, a city in Hebei province that co-hosted the Olympic Games, China Daily reported that hydrogen-powered cars in the city had carried more than 80.7 million passengers.

In 2021, London launched its first buses powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The vehicles emit water vapour instead of harmful pollutants.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong is set to see more hydrogen-powered vehicles hit the market, with new laws and regulations being introduced to support the technology.

According to the Hong Kong chief executive’s 2022 policy address, the city will be seeing trials of hydrogen-powered double-deckers and other heavy-duty vehicles this year.

There is a lot of potential in Hong Kong for hydrogen-powered vehicles. They are slowly being deployed into the market for general usage. New laws and regulations are being set up to keep pace with the development the technology. There are also preparations for how these vehicles can be adapted to the city and what supporting facilities will be needed.

In July last year, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) said it had developed the world’s most durable hydrogen fuel cell to date. This year, the Environment and Ecology Bureau has also been leading an interdepartmental working group on using hydrogen as fuel.

Despite the growing popularity of hydrogen fuel, there is still much work to be done to fully adopt it as a mainstream energy source. With a focus on sustainability, public health and a greener future, we can expect to see more hydrogen-powered vehicles on the road in the coming years.