The epic David-and-Goliath struggle currently underway in Hong Kong which is the focus of this book, can be seen in part as rooted in contrasting views of the meaning and significance of borders and what happens as they blur or disappear. There are those who welcome the fading of distinctions between Hong Kong and mainland cities—or at least do not worry about them much. This can be because they view the Party as a benevolent organization, or for pragmatic reasons, as is the case with some people who work in Hong Kong but live in Shenzhen, where rents are not as astronomically high. On the other side in the struggle are those who treasure the many aspects of local life, including a more vibrant civil society and courts that operate with more independence from other government bodies, that make Hong Kong distinctive—and freer.