Reports from Hong Kong residents in the Middle East on their Recent Sentiments

As tensions have kept escalating in the Middle East, the Hong Kong residents staying there have expressed their feelings about the current situation.

Photo source: AP News

Mr. Wong Ho Yan, Chairman of the Belt and Road China-Arab Investment and Trade Association, is currently based in Qatar for his business. He described the recent attack as the third large-scale one he has experienced in his seven years in the country. Over the weekend, he received alerts from the local government for two consecutive days, advising residents to stay indoors. While acknowledging Qatar's sophisticated air defense system, Mr. Wong noted that the risk remains, as intercepted missiles can still produce stray bullets that may pose a threat to residents. To ensure his safety, he said he is avoiding areas with a high concentration of Americans, including U.S. military bases and nearby facilities. On the business front, he acknowledged that political instability inevitably impacts the business environment. However, he holds the view that "every crisis presents an opportunity," and for now, his confidence in doing business in the Middle East remains unwavering. He stated that he will continue to closely monitor the situation and proceed with caution.

Tensions have kept escalating in the Middle East. Photo source: AP News

Ms. Yen, a Hong Kong resident, was traveling in the Middle East with her husband and was scheduled to return to Hong Kong from Dubai. She said that the hotel had warned her not to go to the airport, and she also received an email from the airline informing her that the flight was canceled. She is now stuck in the hotel, awaiting further updates. As for now, Ms. Yen said she felt anxious and scared, since she had been receiving alerts from the local authorities, warning her not to go out, and had heard what sounded like missiles flying overhead, making it difficult for her to sleep until the early hours of the morning. She said she had contacted the Hong Kong Immigration Department for help, and the Department provided her with the telephone number of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai. They are currently waiting at the hotel with other Chinese people for further information from the Consulate General.

The Hong Kong Immigration Department, Photo source: reference image

The Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited (KMB) and Long Win Bus Company Limited (LWB) noted that the sharp surge in fuel costs has severely affected their operating revenue and expenditure, and asked the government to process their fare adjustment applications to ensure the stable development of services.

Photo source: reference image

The two bus operators said that fuel expenditure accounts for a significant proportion of their franchised bus operating costs. Since the outbreak of the Middle East crisis in late February this year, refined oil prices have risen from around US$85 per barrel to an average of US$170 per barrel, with prices having surged by nearly 200% at their peak, exceeding US$250 per barrel. Refined oil prices remain persistently high and highly volatile. In the absence of government subsidies, and despite implementing various cost control measures to mitigate the negative financial impact, KMB and LWB still pointed out that their operating conditions have inevitably been affected, and they must adopt other measures to maintain a financially sustainable position.

Photo source: reference image

The two operators hoped the government would expedite the processing of the fare adjustment applications so that the bus companies can operate and develop sustainably and reasonably.