Times are tough for fishermen like Ho. A government-imposed 2 month ban on fishing may leave him with a massive slump in business. Hong Kong's new government under Chinese appointed Chief Executive Tun Chee-hwa has been criticised for its apparent bias toward wealthy businessmen rather than the general population. Major development projects are being negotiated by and with the richest families in Hong Kong. Their excuse? Since they pay the taxes, they should determine how the province is run. There is a growing discontent among poor and middle class. Even politicians who were fuelled by the promise of change three years ago now seem to be giving up. Christine Lo, an environmentalist and legislator, is performing some of her last governmental duties. According to Lo, Chief Executive Tun is to blame. "He has very little appetite for building a new relationship with the people who have the people's mandate." For now, the only real threat to the movers and shakers is democracy. But with Beijing in power, it may be a while before the people get their say.

Produced by ABC Australia