Local YouTuber shifs gear, takes a seat on GBA task force to bridge the gap

YouTuber SaiDorSi, a Hongkonger living in Shenzhen, hopes to contribute the perspective of an ordinary citizen after being appointed to a government task force aimed to deepen cooperation between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

The YouTuber was appointed as one of the five new members of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Task Force of the Department of Justice earlier this month, starting a two-year term.

In an interview with Sing Tao Daily, The Standard's sister publication, SaiDorSi, who posts videos about food and travel on the mainland, revealed that justice officials extended an invitation to him at the end of January.

He was initially hesitant to join due to a lack of legal expertise, but the department encouraged him by underlining the significance of his perspective as a Hongkonger living on mainland China.

Sharing his aspirations, the influencer said: "I hope my background can bring a unique perspective to the task force, helping to address the practical challenges faced by Hong Kong residents on the mainland."

He shared a recent incident of being aggressively confronted by a ride-hailing driver on the mainland, saying he understood how helpless it would feel when a Hongkonger faced legal troubles across the border.

SaiDorSi also pointed out that unfamiliarity with mainland laws could lead to unintentional legal violations, such as the mainland's copyright protection legislation.

As the task force's first meeting is scheduled for April 1, SaiDorSi is eager to gain essential legal insights from the group to help citizens avoid similar pitfalls.

Although the specifics of his duties remain unclear, SaiDorSi hopes to leverage his new position to better serve his audience and advocate for Hong Kong citizens' concerns in the GBA.

Furthermore, SaiDorSi aims to contribute to the government, possibly proposing measures such as establishing a legal support hotline for citizens traveling to the mainland.

The YouTuber emphasized that embracing public feedback can improve the government's typically conservative image, thereby benefiting the community.

Known for sharing food, drink and entertainment content in the GBA area, SaiDorSi was one of the Top 10 Most Popular YouTubers in Hong Kong in 2023.