‘French Spider-Man’ Climbs Li Ka-Shing’s Hong Kong Skyscraper, Hangs Peace Flag
- Alain Robert was detained following a highly public climb
- Hong Kong has been in the throes of protests for months
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Celebrated French “Spider-Man” Alain Robert scaled the side of an iconic Hong Kong skyscraper on Friday to unfurl a banner calling for peace between Hong Kong and China, as tensions escalate across the financial hub.
Decked out in colorful climbing gear, Robert climbed up Cheung Kong Centre in downtown Hong Kong -- the nerve center of billionaire Li Ka-Shing’s business empire -- to hang a large flag on the building’s exterior. The banner depicted juxtaposed flags of Hong Kong and China atop a symbolic handshake, a seeming plea for peace after 11 weeks of tense face-offs between black-clad protesters and Hong Kong police.