CNN News Story about cage homes in Hong Kong

[TheTillTill]

People live here because they have to other choice. If they had the option not to live here they wouldn't but they don't.

[LucianneStan]

This is just dreadful I just cant believe anyone would live here

[loren6Q]

They are most likely illegal immigrants . "it's not your fault if you're born poor, but it is if you die poor." bill gates

[TheTillTill]

@loren6Q If people don't have the right surroundings and support systems then how the hell are they not 'going to die poor'?

[Sweetkikiify]

The government seldom tries to do anything to help the poor. The distance is getting further and further between the poor and the wealthy. If this condition continues, the consequences may be serious. We should think seriously for this problem. Although it seems like a minor problem, we should not neglect this. I hope the whole China including Hong Kong itself should try to do something useful to help these poor guys. Just announce giving out social welfare is not enough.Basically, help them!~><

[loren6Q]

@Sweetkikiify its cuhs they are most likely illegal

[lizychatoypupi]

@loren6Q Careful with your karma. You may end up being reborn in poverty, with no opportunities or option of bettering yourself except to move to a different country where there may be better chances. Your writing skills exhibit a very low educational level. Are you employed or just living off of the welfare others give you. Are you human?

[loren6Q]

@lizychatoypupi Im not a hindu . Dont believe in reincarnation , sorry . I know its tough there, minimum wage of 2 hk dollar a hour . I only said that because my friend from hk told me that .

[vivianeb90]

The Chinese government is just unable to deal with the gravity of the situation. They have to realize by heart that people want China as a whole and not a hollow China.

[vivianeb90]

I think partially why there are still problems like these, is because corruption still is a big issue in China and also because the government fears what they trigger with their strict laws and regulations: poverty, demonstration, gap between rich 'n poor, problems, etc. They fear to loose their face, so they sacrifice innocent people. But no outsider may become aware of that, which leads to more strict regulations. Although China's feet are headed into the future, its head is stuck in the past.

[Dethreid]

maybe the Chinese government should step out of the way and use less regulation so private capital can be used to build the housing desperately needed, not saying they should abandon their building codes, but they love to plan everything which often takes years to get apartment construction approved or worse...they think they can do it better using your money...

[YuDumPhuck]

These people who lived in these cage homes make the homeless people in the U.S look like middle class. LOL!!!

[sweetgirl94949]

this is crazy. like hong kong seriously. wouldve never guessed

[ieodksnw787]

there are over a dozen billionares in hong kong. Why doesn't the gov't freeze their assets until this type of thing doesn't happen?

[LibertineDeSade]

@ieodksnw787 What exactly would that accomplish?? How about those billionaires hire these men so that they can earn money enough to get the hell out of there. Better solution that saying that if we can't have money, you can't have money. That kind of thinking helps no one.

[justonefirefly1]

This is what the fucking republicunts want America to look like - fuck you hitler republicunts

[aaroncarter99hk]

The living condition in hk is terrible..if u have millions dollars to buy a flat in hk...the total area is even smaller than a living room or bedroom of a standard house in the US

[goodtohere]

fuck Lee ka seng, So rich Never Help . Go to hell...

[YuDumPhuck]

@goodtohere Because chinese people are cheap and selfish; they only care for themselves. You have a better chance of getting hit by lightning then having a rich chinese helping his or her fellow compatriots.

[2tim149]

How america will be in 10 years.

[theblanketprojectorg]

While it's true that "there will always be poor among us", it's disappointing that this would be a justification for apathy or comments to "let it be/get over it". This video serves to show us what life is like for some - and how human dignity is trampled, period, no matter the scale of severity. MLK Jr said it well, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." May this video illicit compassion & connection, provoking us to use the resources we've been blessed with to care for others

[TicoNicaX4]

Can someone please tell me what is causing housing to be so expensive in Hong Kong? 谢谢

[ayaknowledgegod]

WOW! i first learned about this situation at an art exhibit in copenhagen. i was not only shocked that people were living this way, but also that i had never heard of this before since it is not a new situation. think about this situation the next time you see something on rollback at walmart. it is in part because we want everything to cost a dollar that some cannot make a living wage and are forced to live in such a way. i'm black in the u.s. btw

[georgewu5]

@ayaknowledgegod When i left Hong Kong in 1956, a flux of refugees from main land China came to the British colony, living on the streets and everywhere except indoors. If you happened to see how the people still living outdoors, just watch the photos from South Africa or Haiti. That is why I suggested to build housing out of the used shipping containers costing $2,000 for one 40' long container, not a bad deal ! But so far no one interested in the containers ! George Wu, AIA 2011-10-13

[georgewu5]

The bloody British has been famous for "Divide and Conquer" other nations. India, Pakistan, Palestine, North Africa, Iraq,Afganhistan, now Hong Kong once again ! never give up, do you?!

[hksim]

Bloody national shame, this makes me ashamed to not be fighting harder to change.

[georgewu5]

Look ! CCN, when I was in Hong Kong after World War Two, From Guiyang back to my grand father 's property. Since we could not take back the third floor where I was born, we had to live on the second floor as crowded as this video had shown. we did not even have the water closet as shown! So what is the big deal ? when you pushed the Palestinians away from their homeland. their living condition is probably worse than the Chinese hundred folds ! So stop taking advantage of the Palestinians in UN

[abtthjh]

how old, me? you guess!..69...90 lols

[georgewu5]

@abtthjh From the little picture in your post, you looked like you could be from the opium war. lols.

[abtthjh]

@georgewu5

haha, that is not my pic though. im much younger (mid 20s).

[georgewu5]

我是香港出生 走難貴州 戰後回廣州 四九年回港 屈居祖父物業至五六年來紐約會父親 當侍應生多年オ能畢業建築系.............., 一生所見所聞很廣 這不算最壊的居住環境 以世界人ロ為標準 我給一個乙加分數 人生存在今日的亂世 要知足便常樂 像有些猶太人 為了自己的生存 到中東殺人放火！又像一九三七年的日本 為了它自己的生存 侵畧中國 等等 都是野獸競生的必然現象 中國人幸而尚未達到這階段 是値得慶幸的！！！知足常樂 是我的處世銘言！！！--------------伍榮基紐約註­册建築師 培正中學畢業生 七十四歳老叟之有感所言 George Wu, AIA 2011-8-22

[myscorpionus]

@georgewu5

I'll give HK AAA if compare to Uganda.  現代的香港跟您那年代最大的不同就是社會低下階層的老百姓不能再­靠辛勤勞動提高生活品質從而脫離貧窮。

[georgewu5]

@myscorpionus Or would you rather be in China when the French and the British entered Peking( Beijing), robbed and burned the Summer Palaces and cut away Hong Kong and Kowloon to England after the second Opium war in 1862 ? China today is not the same China in those years, the years not that long ago before 1949 ! I do not understand why so many yellow- faced Chinese still would be willing to be a Chinese-traitor, betraying China to the foreigners?( I understand you are now in the U.S.)

[myscorpionus]

@georgewu5 The reason you do not understand is because you did not spend 1 day under red China (from your little resume below) You think you seen it all as an old man. I respect you as quite successful person but you cannot imagine what it is like to live under GCD between 1949 and 1980s. Many people would choice stay with Brits rules if they have a choice, but it was never for them to choose. Yes Opium war was ugly and an insult to China but it was what made HK a save haven for many people.

[georgewu5]

@myscorpionus Correction: I am not a successful person, I probably would not have survived if I did not come to N.Y. at the age of 19 from H.K. to join my father. He was a graduate from Peking (Beijing) University & came to Illinois to go to the graduate school afterwards, and eventually became a waiter to support his family. Therefore, I could not afford the tuition to go to college, But I am a stubborned person, & struggled to be a licensed architect from being a waiter! George Wu, AIA 2011

[myscorpionus]

@georgewu5 Where you father was educated or where you were educated or how did you survived does not matter. The fact you had survived hardship in 1960's does not mean that HK people should accept the same or similar situation as you did today! Especially when the highest ranking officer admitted there are mistake in public housing policy.

[georgewu5]

@myscorpionus May I ask a question please? What are you doing in the U.S.A. and had so much interest in the politics in Hong kong? And are you a Chinese? These days whenever I thought of China since 1841 to 1949. England, France, Japan, U.S.A., Russia, Portugal, Italy,and Germany had invaded China . If there were no national heros like Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Chairman Mao, China would have probably become some nation's colony already ! If you are Chinese , what do you think of these possibility ?

[myscorpionus]

@georgewu5 Why I am in the USA or so interested in HK is not important nor does it matter if I am a Chinese. Sir, you are way off topic to what you have started.

[georgewu5]

@myscorpionus "Opium war was ugly and an insult to China." You did not even have to be sincere about saying this when you said that. Because China today is strong and independent ! The rapid rise of China from a third class country into looking at you at the eye level was only a short voyage from the recent past. The Chinese people do not have to apologize anything, they just have to lift up their chin & move along bravely. CNN is a Jewish media. What the hell they are spying over in China for?

[myscorpionus]

@georgewu5, i did not have to be sincere about the Opium war. It is a war. Shame or not is irrelevant, it is an emotion.

[georgewu5]

@myscorpionus 難道譲宋子文與孔祥禧一輩子飽滿私鑲 瑞士私人戸口 甚至購買紐約帝國大厦 各階層都民不聊生的國民党時代 金圓券銀圓券的変法術 吸盡民脂民膏 一九四九年前的所有中國老百姓 從來就不能脱離貧窮 ！一九四九年之前 我尚在廣州 目睹上述的混亂社會状態 不寒而慄！！！ 伍榮基建築師二零一一年八月廿三日

[myscorpionus]

@georgewu5 This is funny...why...since you properly see the same thing if you read news from China today. By the way, this is way off topic from HK real estate.

[georgewu5]

@myscorpionus My friend from Hong Kong High School had said this to share with the people who are concerned about the future of this tiny island Hong Kong, he said," Hong Kong will be the Hong Kong before the year of 1949; and Shanghai will be the Shanghai before 1949." He said this six years ago at our dinner party in Detroit. The more I think about what he said; the more I think he is right ! George Wu, AIA 2011-8-24

[myscorpionus]

@georgewu5 HK really don't have any hope if educators like your friend give up. His job is to avoid what he predicted from happening. If he can't do the job, I suggest he just leave and let the younger guys take over.

[georgewu5]

@myscorpionus He is a retired Phd. Mathematics College Professor in the U.S. We went to a Chinese high school in H.K.together for six years. That the glorius days of Hong Kong is almost over now. Shanghai is taking back the importance as a Chinese city again! (Therefore, one of the classmates who had been very successful through the years in the H.K.real estate market should not be too arrogant as he had been recently! Because his good old days were almost over now.) George Wu, AIA

[chongwingyu]

i just don't get how can a government seat back and don't give a damn care about this. It's time to speak for yourself hkppl

[Darkhisagi]

@chongwingyu The governament is trying to take down these housing. But its pretty much impossible with so many people living in such a small aomunt of land. Also now with Phillinos and Malaysians and other south eastern workers getting more rights to apply for these housings, its even more unliely Hong kong 'People' as you said will get a proper residence

[tosikuai]

when the gov has empty houses they are waitting to sell or give on subsidy and none is bothering to buy these houses?

[tosikuai]

i am not expecting hk gov to give places to every citizen of hk

but why does anyone appling for a public renting houses have to wait for at least 3 years and now i heard it is 5 years before they are called for the very first interview,

[jack3107]

阿伯識英文wo



[Darkhisagi]

@jack3107 lmao, thats right. hes 90 years old and he knows englihs haha. Funny how his punctuation is messed up

[scychan01]

Hong Kong is one the worse place to live,people ripping people off,Gov't doesn't give a shit to their own people,they really follow the foot steps like the British well,all they care just playing own power ! Shame shame shame !!!!

[MetalHeart8787]

@scychan01 its like that in Many countries.

the Rich living in nice places having More money than they need & they poor not able to find Jobs

& forced to live in Bad conditions like this. & having hardly any Food.

[tosikuai]

@scychan01

very true

[Darkhisagi]

@scychan01 There are places that are a lot worse. I myself would prefer living in Hong Kong that in some place like Yganda with civil wars and mass gencide happening lol, dont bother about rights, just think soley on how to preserve your life - if you get the chance

[stalwartsky]

作为中国人，无法想象。。。

[MACKATTACK1970]

A duplex sold for $57,000,000 and these people have to live in cage homes.

......

Is it me or is the disparity around the world becoming too great to accept?

.....

I don't believe in the concept of everyone should be on an equal footing and share and share alike, I believe smarts, hard work, luck, creativity and more should be rewarded.

.....

My complaint is that the disparity is too great and the thieves on the top of the food chain have become too greedy.

[ajgolfer1]

@MACKATTACK1970 Its a global depression think of what our grandparents had to do to survive in the depression we are lucky. Things will eventually improve trade, and credit will expand. 

[lojuenying]

:O that old man is so not 90!! he looks so young and healthy, and he speaks english really well!

[prolikereal2]

@lojuenying this is amazing lol......he is so healthy n fit!

[Neroia]

CNN千祈唔好混淆公屋、籠屋哩D字眼呀，如果唔係又會有班人來­串你地架啦！

[beethovan]

Thanks CNN for reporting this piece - I never thought that I would see this again. I used to be a social worker in Hong Kong and was assigned to serve the "Yau Tsim Wong" district (Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok), and worked with elders living in these cage homes. It was 1985. So, these living conditions have always been around. The homes reported by CNN are exactly how I remembered. Believe it or not most of elders were there because their children or grandchild couldn't take them in.

[tsnowice]

wow,still have people live like that? I remember in the old time movie "72 family in a small apartment" I can not believe it

[klangboy84]

only die 7 hong kong person in filippine , why and what makes u all so noisy ?

[kaiwkc]

@klangboy84 they are noisy because they cant see you in the list.

[JackBlair2]

"poor" people in HK don't stay that way for long. Everyone's on their way to making it big.

[nobodynome1]

awful! i feel pity on them

[1XMarksSpot]

say no to gentrification!

[gacktsn2002]

如果我有錢我不會住在香港．香港政府是麻木不仁！因為香港沒有普­選．所以香港行政長官不用理會市民．只需要討好中國共產黨．共產­黨是一個剝削人民權利．作業深重的黨！

[stephentsang2000]

@gacktsn2002

So true so true~ Fuck China~

[serenityplace128]

@gacktsn2002 收皮啦...香港好多海景公屋,新個D有幾靚你係香港人你唔好話­唔知,,,住幾年排到就上公屋,,,我地幾十年前十幾人住個房仔­都是這樣,,你唔好乜能都共產黨...中國加油,,,你這垃圾收­皮

[Darkhisagi]

@gacktsn2002 It's impossible right now to get rid of 房仔. This is because there's wayy to many people applying for public housing and there isn't enough space to accomdate all of them. Recently the Governament has started taking down these housings, especially in the New Territories. Also, 怪你自己無錢