begins with the author recounting his arrival in Hong Kong, detailing his mixed impressions of the city that combines English colonial architecture with the local Chinese culture. He expresses disappointment at the English influence, which overshadowed the exotic beauty he anticipated from China. As he navigates through the city's streets, he reflects on the bustling life of Hong Kong and its status as a gateway to the larger Chinese Empire. The author highlights various aspects of Hong Kong's society, including the mix of cultures and the contrast between the European and Chinese communities, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of China and Japan in the ensuing chapters. (This is an automatically generated summary.)