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Swiss banker Max H. has lived in Hong Kong for over ten years. He tells finews.com how widespread protests in the Chinese territory are affecting bankers in the city.

Max H., how are the ongoing street protests in Hong Kong affecting your normal routine? 

It's actually a lot quieter in Hong Kong than maybe you would assume from outside. Protests normally only take place on weekends. Media coverage of them is somewhat deceptive – even for me here in Hong Kong.

How so?

From the outside, you would think that all hell has broken out here. I recently vacationed in Thailand. When I saw the television images of the protests, I thought Hong Kong had descended into utter chaos.

«Some days, supervisors advised teams to stay at home»

I left for home a few days earlier than planned – only to discover nothing particularly out of the ordinary. Life goes on.

Are you working from home more often?

There are indeed a few days where supervisors have asked their teams to please remain at home. Remote working isn't that much of a problem as long as you have a work laptop. 

Do you have more to do because your clients are nervous?

I don't think I can address that properly without running the risk of identifying myself.

Are you afraid?

For now, no. I've lived in other countries with political unrest. Think of Thailand, where there has been considerable turmoil pretty regularly in the last 20 years. But if China marches into Hong Kong, then all is lost.

What do you mean?

The United Nations would have to levy sanctions, for example. And just think if images of dead people in the streets of Hong Kong circulated around the world...many international firms would close up and leave. And what about all the U.S. treasury bonds in Chinese hands – would they be confiscated?

«If the China marches in, it won't be 'the future' anymore»

I don't think the world is prepared for a situation like that at all. If China does step in, it is no longer «the future» – for anyone.

Do you discuss current events with your colleagues at work?

Yes, we talk about them quite openly within the bank, even with our supervisors. The issue is also hugely relevant for our jobs. 

«Hong Kong was blatantly lied to»

We were warned not to travel to China with mobile phones if possible – that is, if anyone even wants to visit the mainland anymore. There's a huge risk that mobile phones would be taken away, and one would effectively be incommunicado. Until now, many newspapers in Hong Kong still seem to be amazingly free in their coverage of events.

What view do your work colleagues have: pro or contra the democracy movement?

Mainly pro, for historical reasons. The heart of the problem is that China has made false promises to Hong Kong citizens since 2012. Free elections never took place.