Alain Robert unfurled a banner showing a handshake and the flags of Hong Kong and China on Friday morning. Hong Kong has seen months of anti-government protests that have sometimes led to violent clashes with police. The 57-year-old, known for climbing tall buildings worldwide, said his stunt was an "urgent appeal for peace".
"Perhaps what I do can lower the temperature and maybe raise a smile. That's my hope anyway," Mr Robert said in a media statement.
As in many of his previous climbs, Mr Roberts did not use ropes or a harness. Mr Robert said his message at the 68-storey Cheung Kong Center was "an urgent appeal for peace and consultation between Hong Kong people and their government". His stunt met with mixed reaction online. Australia-based Chinese dissident artist Badiucao asked on Twitter: "Do you really want (to) shake hands with butchers and dictators?"
