Some 792,892 tourists visited in November last year, a drop of 22 percent from November of 1996, continuing a downward monthly trend that began after the July 1 handover. And Hong Kong people don't want to use our service, or have a photo taken. And then he reaches into the rickshaw, pulls out a dirty towel and gently dabs tears from his eyes. I will leave Hong Kong next year because it's very difficult to make a living. I think maybe in the next one or two years, there will be no rickshaws in Hong Kong.
Life is very difficult.
On tiny Li Yuen Street East, tucked behind the banks and department stores of Queen's Road, the vendors selling Chinese silk and leather handbags also are feeling the pinch. Tourists used to be their best customers, they said. And since the handover to China, tourism has dried up, and the vendors are wondering if their business will ever again be as good. I need to feed myself. I need to carry on.