Hong Kong's economy splits into a government-friendly and a hostile camp. This also has an impact on the economy.

It should only shop in the "yellow" stores: protester at the beginning of January in Hong Kong picture: Yat Yeung/NurPhoto/picture alliance

Hong KONG taz | Ming stands at the counter of cafes in Hong Kong. Behind him is a Poster with Pro-democracy Slogans, hanging on the wall in addition, many Post-its with messages of Support. In addition to the cash in a large glass stands seem full of money – donations for the protest movement.

The Café, in the Ming as a Director of works, is part of the so-called yellow economy, the means of shops, openly supporting Hong Kong's Pro-democracy movement. In the traditional Chinese district of North Point, it is one of the few.

After seven months of almost daily anti-government demonstrations in Hong Kong's economy is color-coded and deeply divided in Beijing, friendly and open to Pro-democracy operations. This also affects Hong Kong's economy, which after the months-long protests already suffers.

In the third quarter, before the Coronavirus epidemic – slid the city into a recession. The often violent clashes have led to a slump in the number of tourists and also affected the operation of the business and the consumer.

Last week, the rating Agency Moody's downgraded the credit rating of the financial metropolis down and criticized the handling of the government with the protests. The International monetary Fund warned last month, a deterioration of the Situation could weaken the economy further.

Pro-democracy activists have made it a habit to check the political stance of Restaurants and shops before you decide to visit.

the opposition boycott of the Beijing-friendly shops

Elaine, who works in an advertising Agency, says she has stopped using public transportation, and only drive with the bike, because she wanted to give the Hong Kong government no money. "If you do not support us, why should we support you?" she asks.

The idea of the "yellow business" is that activists choose Restaurants and businesses that their Pro-democracy movement, support, and "blue" companies close to the government and the police boycott. The color Yellow takes on the umbrella revolution of 2014.

"Some of my customers have to say: In my life there is not a Blue is now yellow," says Ming, who does not want to give his full name. He try his Best, but it was difficult, "to avoid the blue company" a hundred percent.

Like many other "yellow business" has won Ming's Café since the beginning of the protests in June, customers. "In some stores, a snake around the Block is not now, even though they were previously very popular," says the managing Director.

"blue company" has it hit hard, however. The Beijing-friendly Fulum Restaurant group recorded for the six months to the end of September last year, a loss of several million euros, in the prior-year period, the company had made a profit.

The restaurant chain, Maxim's, which operates Starbucks cafes in Hong Kong, is often the target of vandalism, since the daughter of the co-founder has referred to the demonstrators as "rioters".

According to the South China Morning Post, the Chairman, in an internal Letter to employees said that the working environment as a result of the social unrest and the bad economy had become difficult.

Ming believes that the setting of the activists had become too strict. "Some say I'm coming only if you used no products at all from China anymore." The question is now whether a Shop is "yellow enough". "We should try our Best, but not as extreme," says Ming. "Life is life."