The strong winter monsoon brings a cold Christmas holiday to Hong Kong this year. The Observatory today (26th) issued the first cold weather warning for this year's winter, which is the fifth latest in history.
Behind the festive celebrations, a group of low-class people in Hong Kong dared not go out, so they could only huddled under the blanket to survive the severe cold.
The Kwun Tong Ferry Pier faces Victoria Harbour and has an invincible sea view.
However, because of its geographical location in the corner of the industrial and commercial area, it has become a home for street sleepers.
Some street sleepers use wooden boards and iron sheets to build cabins to shelter from the wind and rain. They are living in the two most extreme lives in Hong Kong, struggling to survive.
The reporter went to the Kwun Tong Pier this afternoon to visit street sleepers. Some people had locked the door of the wooden house, and some were unwilling to accept the interview. Only Uncle Chen was willing to chat.
At that time, the cold wind on the beach was piercing and the reporter's hands were numb. After opening the door of the room, Uncle Chen immediately ran back to the bed and covered it with the quilt presented by the social worker.
Uncle Chen, who is in his 60s, lives in a wooden cabin and had to walk into the bed in the cold weather.
(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)
Only 10 yuan left in the bag of street sleepers due to inability to pay rent
Uncle Chen, who is unwilling to be photographed, is in his 60s. As he is getting older and has difficulty finding a job, he was unable to pay rent last year and moved to Kwun Tong Pier to settle down under the introduction of a friend.
Although there are noisy engine noises from ships berthing ashore every 10 minutes, he, who is also defined as a street sleeper, said: "It's better than a street sleeper."
It was the Christmas season, and Uncle Chen smiled bitterly. There was no "big meal" tonight, only instant noodles and canned "fine meal".
He revealed that his life is very difficult recently, and he can't even afford food. "There is no money to buy food! I have 10 mosquitoes for my old friend, and I can't buy eggs. To tell the truth, don't talk about laughing."
Under the introduction of a friend, Uncle Chen now works on the construction site for 7 to 8 days a month, and he only earns 500 yuan for 10 hours a day.
He pointed out that 500 yuan is enough to live for 3 days, including buying food and cigarettes.
However, he said he never accepted the government's favor. When asked why he did not apply for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, he saw him with a quilt and a cover, and simply responded that he was "fear of ugliness."
No radio, TV, or smart phone
Over half a hundred years old, although he has no illnesses and pains, Uncle Chen has no children and is still alone today.
Visually, the 100-square-foot chalet is fairly tidy. Several pieces of warm clothing donated by social workers and church groups are hung beside the bed. There is a small table in the middle, which is filled with foods recently obtained for free, including Jinsha chocolate, juice and so on.
However, the design of the wooden house is simple, and the cold air from the outside still seeps into the house through the gaps.
For Uncle Chen now, satiety is his most pressing problem.
He said that he was "a big food" and that he needed to eat 3 bowls of rice for each meal. He bluntly said, "If you have food, you will have to eat it. If you don't care about it, I have to heal the most important thing." But he also has other concerns. During the conversation, I suddenly asked the reporter whether customs clearance was resumed today.
He explained that because there is no radio, TV or smart phone, in addition to current affairs news, even the weather is not available.
He said helplessly, "I don't know, I don't even know that it is frozen today."
The Observatory issued the first cold weather warning of this year. Chen Bo also believes that it is very cold today and is "the coldest day of the year." However, he has no plans to go to the cold shelter, only saying that "I am not afraid of death."
No exemption with "Travel with peace of mind": What about 60 years old?
Recently, the government stipulated that entering restaurants and other premises must be scanned for "travel with peace of mind." Uncle Chen had to rely on outdated Nokia mobile phones, frankly relying on paper-fillers to enter and exit the premises.
There is no related organization to give him a smartphone.
He even said to other street sleepers: "I'll just talk, your government doesn't know a bit about it. People don't need to buy a mobile phone, and they don't want to travel with peace of mind. They really don't want to eat! 65 years old, first exempt, 60 years old, don't hesitate! ?"
Mr. He expressed that he hoped that the government would do its best to give quilts or clothes.
(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)
After chatting with Uncle Chen, the reporter left the cabin. Mr. He, a middle-aged street sleeper, had just returned home and bluntly said "Today is really good for X-freeze."
He hoped that the government would do its best to give quilts or clothes.
Looking back at the towering high-rise buildings of Victoria Harbour behind him, and small wooden houses like models, many people in Hong Kong are not actually living, they just want to survive.
▼12.26 Christmas Boxing Day cold weather warning is effective▼
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