On 24 Aug evening, a surge of banquet photos appeared on the social media of Hong Kong’s political circle. The venue was set up like a wedding banquet, but the theme of the event was “Celebration for Wong Tai Sin District Officer Wong Chi-wah for His Further Studies in Beijing”.

Wong will go to Beijing for a year of on-the-job training on 3 Sep. Someone held this banquet, 6 to 10pm, at the Paramount International Banquet Hall in Kowloon Bay. 43 tables were set, with over 500 people giving him a send-off. In front of the stage, there was a long table with red cloth labeled “Host Table”, seating over 40 people, including the host sitting in the middle, Wong Chi-wah. Is that a new norm in Hong Kong?