China's Growing Influence: Is the Party Over for This Sleepless City?
Hong Kong's once vibrant nightlife scene, known for its freewheeling spirit and bustling bars, has been in decline due to a combination of China's tightening grip on the city and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crackdown on civil liberties and pro-democracy movements has led to an exodus of middle-class Hong Kongers and affluent expats, who were among the biggest customers of bars and restaurants. The city's nightlife industry has also been affected by changing habits, with people staying home more and a shift in spending patterns. Efforts by the Hong Kong government to revive the nightlife scene have faced criticism and challenges.