CEO of Civic Exchange Christine Loh unmasks a new website about Hong Kong and Sars

While Sars has put Hong Kong in the spotlight, many people who live here have been shocked at the images that have made the news around the world. A new website, hongkongunmasked, provides an online forum for real people to tell their story.

Since the outbreak of SARS Hong Kong has been variously depicted worldwide as a plague colony, a panic-ridden ghost town and an official no-go area," explains co-organiser Christine Loh.

"This came as a considerable shock to the roughly 7,000,000 of us who live here, for whom it was still home. The place that was being described to our friends and loved ones abroad - and incidentally putting the fear of God into them over our personal safety and collective life expectancy - was no land we had ever seen. It certainly wasn't one we'd want to visit either."

The site invites people to submit their experience of Hong Kong, through personal letters, interviews photos and even cartoons. "We found that people wanted to do their part - and we hope this website will allow people in Hong Kong to share their experiences with people around the world," Ms Loh said.

The site is sponsored by interactive and marketing specialists lemon, together with the non-profit think tank, Civic Exchange.