So near, yet so far away: Hong Kong’s cross-border couples, families struggle with long separation from loved ones
- Some quit jobs to reunite with families, others consider divorce after almost two years apart
- As border restrictions drag on, those hit hardest hope authorities will consider their plight
Clinging to the wire fence at the border in Heung Yuen Wai and staring across the Shenzhen River at his girlfriend 100 metres away, Don Ho shouts: “It’s been a long time. I miss you. I love you!”
She replies, but cannot be heard clearly. He beams anyway and gestures for a hug.
It was the first time in about half a year that the 24-year-old Hongkonger had seen and spoken to his mainland Chinese girlfriend of the same age in person.
The spot in Heung Yuen Wai has become increasingly popular among couples separated by cross-border travel restrictions since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
Ho, who works at a consultancy in Hong Kong, spent 90 minutes travelling by MTR and bus on Wednesday afternoon to reach the area near the Liantang-Heung Yuen Wai border control point in the New Territories.
All was quiet from the Hong Kong side, close to the Heung Yuen Wai Sewage Treatment Plant.
The Shenzhen side was livelier, with traffic on the road in front of a row of residential blocks. Some passers-by, drawn by the sight of the young woman shouting across the river, followed her gaze to Ho on the other side.
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Couple split by Covid-19 restrictions keep up relationship by meeting at Hong Kong-Shenzhen border
