Hong Kong and China

Carrie Lam: Beijing’s ‘head girl’ in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s first female leader has opened the door to a new era of political repression in China’s freest city. Al Jazeera, August 4, 2021

China’s Communist Party at 100: Where are the women?

The party has made much of championing women but they must battle a ‘pro-male bias’ to get to the top of China’s political tree. Al Jazeera, June 30, 2021

Hong Kong elections in China’s sights as Parliament meets

Beijing’s rubber-stamp legislature expected to tighten rules on who can run for office in Hong Kong. Al Jazeera, March 3, 2021

How did the pandemic begin? WHO team to seek answers in China

Experts are preparing to travel to Wuhan to investigate how COVID-19 emerged as China questions origins and spread. Al Jazeera, December 28, 2020

Secretive Switzerland-China immigration deal fuels concern

The controversial agreement allows Chinese authorities to enter Switzerland and bring back to China illegal residents. Al Jazeera, December 11, 2020

Hong Kong’s prominent democracy activists face agonising choice

Former legislator Ted Hui the latest to go into exile, as cases mount against those who took part in 2019 protests. Al Jazeera, December 4, 2020

Hong Kong court denies bail to Jimmy Lai over fraud charges

Vocal pro-democracy supporter will be in jail until April, in a move condemned as an attempt to silence critics. Al Jazeera, December 3, 2020

China says it is ready for NATO talks on its ‘military rise’

Beijing says China advocates for global peace and security, not intimidation or coercion. Al Jazeera, December 1, 2020

Hong Kong tightens COVID-19 curbs as dance club cluster grows

New curbs come after Hong Kong records biggest jump in daily cases since August, most linked to ballroom-dancing venues. Al Jazeera, November 30, 2020

Hong Kong 2019 Protests

‘Selling out Hong Kong people’: Global companies vandalised by protesters over links to China

Economy may have taken a turn for the worse, but it has also given a boost to local, often family run, protest-aligned businesses. The Independent, November 3, 2019

'Blunt, unplanned': Police tactics under fire in HK protests

Amid increasingly violent unrest in Hong Kong, experts say trust in force is being undermined and will be hard to rebuild. Al Jazeera, November 1, 2019

"If they don’t change, we will burn with them": Meet the youngsters manning the frontline of the Hong Kong protests

At the forefront of the pro-democracy protests against Hong Kong’s government – and China – are the “frontliners” engaged in an increasingly violent struggle with a repressive state.  The New Statesman, October 22, 2019

Hong Kong police blow up homemade bomb as protests cleared

Hong Kong entered its 20th straight week of protests on Sunday, which show no sign of stopping despite a heavy police presence. October 21, 2019

Hong Kong protesters use new flashmob strategy to avoid arrest

‘Blossom everywhere’ tactic is a reaction to politicisation of MTR subway system. The Guardian, October 13, 2019

Hong Kong protests: Apple pulls tracking app after China criticism

Creators of HKmap.Live accused Apple of ‘political decision to suppress freedom’ in Hong Kong. The Guardian, October 10, 2019

Hong Kong protesters warned away from Chinese military barracks

Hong Kong protesters were warned against targeting army barracks on Sunday, with a yellow flag flown over the building in a message to protesters to disperse. Dpa, October 6, 2019

‘CIA moles’ and postcolonial baggage: The foreigners on Hong Kong's protest front lines

White residents may have disproportionate privilege, but their participation in the protests is not without its complications. The Independent, October 5, 2019

HK police say 269 arrested on National Day

Hong Kong police says they have made 269 arrests at huge anti-government demonstrations a day earlier, as the force defended the conduct of anti-riot officers in their clashes with protesters. Dpa, October 2, 2019

Tens of thousands protest in Hong Kong on China National Day

Police fired tear gas on anti-government protesters in Hong Kong on Tuesday afternoon as the city saw protests in multiple districts while the rest of China celebrated its national holiday. Dpa, October 1, 2019

Hong Kong protests: tech war opens up with doxxing of protesters and police

Campaigns to expose personal details of those on both sides of protests skyrocket, with nearly 1,000 cases being investigated. The Guardian, September 20, 2019

Hong Kong police show 'alarming pattern' of violence at protests

Amnesty International report cites beatings, arbitrary arrests and ‘thirst for retaliation.’ The Guardian, September 19, 2019

Anti-government protests in Hong Kong thwarted by police, opposition

Anti-government protesters struggled to stage demonstrations on Saturday as they were pushed back by a heavy police presence and pro-China groups. Dpa, September 14, 2019

Hong Kong journalists warn of rising police violence against them

Reporters covering protests say officers using pepper spray and teargas, among other abuses. The Guardian, September 9, 2019

Hong Kong protests: riot police storm metro station with batons

Unrest deepens on anniversary of Beijing’s move to limit democratic reforms in territory. The Guardian, September 1, 2019

Wave of arrests in new push by Hong Kong police to thwart protests

Former student leaders among dozens detained in move critics say is attempt to deter protesters from planned rally. The Guardian, August 30, 2019

Hong Kong protests: Joshua Wong and other pro-democracy figures arrested

Wong and fellow activist Agnes Chow subsequently released. The Guardian, August 30, 2019

Chinese troop movement into Hong Kong prompts unease

Movements, which have been portrayed as a scheduled troop rotation, come days ahead of anti-government protests. The Guardian, August 29, 2019

Hong Kong protests: Hundreds of thousands bring streets to standstill in largest action for months

Organisers claim more than one million people attend pro-democracy demonstration. The Independent, August 18, 2019

Hong Kong protests: Eerie calm descends as demonstrators avoid clashes with police

Once-respected law enforcement teams ‘have used obvious excessive force and inhumane actions’, say activists. The Independent, August 17, 2019

Hong Kong: flights resume at airport as China condemns 'near-terrorist acts'

Beijing steps up war of words and airport obtains injunction against protesters to prevent further disruption of flights. The Guardian, August 14, 2019

'Frightened, angry and exhausted': Hong Kong protesters apologise for airport violence

Protest group asks for understanding after clashes in which a reporter and policeman were attacked. The Guardian, August 14, 2019

Hong Kong riot police clash with airport protesters

Batons and pepper spray used on demonstrators as flights suspended for second day. The Guardian, August 13, 2019

'Nobody picks up the phone': stranded Hong Kong travellers bemoan airlines

Hundreds left without support as some flights resume but many still support protest. The Guardian, August 13, 2019

Hong Kong airport authority cancels flights over protests

Tourists remain in airport during demonstration, with flights to resume on Tuesday. The Guardian, August 12, 2019

Hong Kong protests: brutal undercover police tactics spark outcry

Footage of helmeted protesters suddenly making arrests causes concern after weekend of intense clashes. The Guardian, August 12, 2019

Hong Kong hit by more violence as protests enter 10th week

Police fire teargas and beat demonstrators during fierce clashes across city. The Guardian, August 11, 2019

Hong Kong riot police fire teargas at protest groups

Demonstrators break into multiple fronts in attempt to outrun police across city. The Guardian, August 10, 2019

Hong Kong Protesters Return to Airport to Drum up International Support

Thousands occupy Hong Kong International Airport to raise international support against the city’s controversial extradition bill and police brutality. Voice of America, August 9, 2019

‘Be water’: Hong Kong protesters adopt Bruce Lee tactic to evade police crackdown

Pro-democracy demonstrators aim for amorphous approach to respond to authorities. The Independent, August 7, 2019

Hong Kong protests: Record number of arrests as strikes and demonstrations bring city to standstill

Hundreds of flights cancelled and train services suspended as multiple districts paralysed. The Independent, August 5, 2019

Protesters Return to Hong Kong Streets in Anti-government March

Police brutality and government inaction continue to fuel protest movement. Voice of America, August 3, 2019

Hong Kong protesters vow to stand up to unprecedented riot charges as movement faces new chapter

Another weekend of demonstrations expected, as China and authorities seek to ‘psychologically impact’ morale. The Independent, August 2, 2019

The Hong Kong celebrities risking careers to join protests

Denise Ho, a Cantopop star, says most people benefit from the China market 'so they will just say silent'. Al Jazeera, July 25, 2019

Pressed for Space, Hong Kong Will Create New Land

The ‘Lantau Tomorrow’ plan would expand small islands for much-needed new housing, but not without risks to the environment.  CityLab, July 24, 2019

‘Outpouring of righteous anger’: Hong Kong protesters storm legislature and tear down Chinese flags

Defiant Carrie Lam condemns ‘heartbreaking’ violence. The Independent, July 1, 2019

Hong Kong Police Fire Tear Gas After Protesters Storm Legislature

Pepper spray and batons fail to keep back protesters, who rammed doors and windows to break into complex. Voice of America, July 1, 2019

Riot Police Meet Hong Kong Protesters with Pepper Spray, Batons

Pepper spray and batons used to push protesters back from early morning flag raising on anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to China. Voice of America, July 1, 2019

Hong Kong Leader Offers Apology to Protesters

Carrie Lam signaled no imminent move to reintroduce an extradition bill, but also showed no sign of giving in to demands that she leave office. Voice of America, June 18, 2019

Hong Kong's lame duck? Leader Lam faces fight for political life

As calls for her resignation become louder, analysts say Carrie Lam pays the price for political miscalculations. Al Jazeera, June 17, 2019

Hong Kong Protesters Demand Chief Exec's Resignation

Protests against a controversial extradition bill and leader Carrie Lam again bring Hong Kong to a standstill. Voice of America, June 16, 2019

Hong Kong Suspends Extradition Bill as Protesters Plan New March

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says the bill is suspended until further notice, but protesters say they want it fully revoked before demonstrations end. Voice of America, June 15, 2019

Hong Kong Police Use Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets to Break Up Anti-Extradition Law Protest

Demonstrations forces legislature to postpone Wednesday's session where lawmakers were scheduled to debate proposed legislation. Voice of America, June 12, 2019

Hong Kong protesters are defiant in the face of police rubber bullets: ‘We have to do something’

Many fear that a legislative bill to allow extradition to China is a sign that the region has lost its autonomy. The Independent, June 12, 2019

Hong Kong Pushes Forward with Extradition Bill Despite Protest

More protests planned as Hong Kong leader faces political crisis over extradition law. Voice of America, June 10, 2019

Protesters Fill Hong Kong Streets over Proposed Extradition Law

Hundreds of thousands of Hong Kongers march against legislative bill that would allow people to be extradited to mainland China to face charges, in the largest demonstration city has seen in years. Voice of America, June 9, 2019

Hong Kong Police Clash with Student Protestors as One Million People take to the Streets

Hong Kong's largest protest in decades ended with clashes late Sunday as hundreds of protesters attempted to break through police barricades to enter government headquarters. Dpa, June 9, 2019

Hong Kong Residents Worry About Future of Tiananmen Square Vigil

As a record 180,000 Hong Kong residents commemorated the 30th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy protests with a candlelight vigil. Voice of America, June 4, 2019

‘They were the hope of China’: Nearly 200,000 people mourn Tiananmen Square massacre

‘We will not have this freedom anymore in 10 or 20 years,’ says vigil attendee. The Independent, June 4, 2019

World’s Top Business Group Joins Critics of Hong Kong Extradition Bill

The International Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business organization, has become the latest group to criticize a proposed change to Hong Kong law. Voice of America, May 10, 2019

Other Hong Kong News

Hong Kong Democracy Activists Get Up to 16 Months in Prison

Eight of the top leaders of Hong Kong’s 2014 Umbrella Movement democracy protests were sentenced to up to sixteen months in prison on Wednesday. Voice of America, April 24, 2019

Hong Kong Moves Forward With Controversial China Extradition Deal

Hong Kong took its first steps this week toward allowing extraditions to China. Voice of America, April 5, 2019

Saudi Sisters Hiding in Hong Kong Granted Asylum in 3rd Country

After six months hiding in Hong Kong, two sisters from Saudi Arabia have been granted asylum in an unknown country. Voice of America, March 25, 2019

Decline of Hakka in Southern China Shows Bigger Problems Ahead

At Damon Huang’s family home in Shakou, a small town in southern China, it’s not uncommon to hear three varieties of Chinese spoken throughout the day. Voice of America, March 19, 2019

Hong Kong May Criminalize Insults to Chinese National Anthem

Hong Kong has taken the first steps in criminalizing disrespect of China’s national anthem. Voice of America, February 7, 2019

Build New Housing in Hong Kong Using This One Weird Trick

Developers are profiting off of illegal land rights sales through the Small House Policy, a 1970s rule that lets villagers build small houses with few restrictions. CityLab, February 8, 2019

Hong Kong Democrats Eye Rural Political Reform

Hong Kong’s pro-democracy camp is hoping to infiltrate one of the city’s most opaque yet powerful institutions, its rural governance committees. Voice of America, November 17, 2018

Architects of Hong Kong’s 2014 Democracy Protests to Stand Trial

The founding leaders of Hong Kong’s 2014 democracy protests will stand trial this Monday, nearly four years after the protests came to an end. Voice of America, November 16, 2018

Despite Political Party Ban, Hong Kong Independence Groups Persist

Over coffee, Baggio Leung, the new spokesman for pro-independence party Hong Kong National Front, talks with a quiet determination about the need for political change. Voice of America, November 2, 2018

Hong Kong's High Speed Rail Debuts Amid Political Turmoil

As the first high speed train pulls out of Hong Kong's West Kowloon Station early Sunday morning to mainland China, it will cement a major change. Voice of America, September 21, 2018

An Impressive, Unnecessary, Multi-City Bridge

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is little more than propaganda announcing the unity of China and her former colonies, despite their very different historic, legal, and even transportation backgrounds. CityLab, August 15, 2018

Sentencing adjourned in trial of Hong Kong umbrella activists

The sentencing of Joshua Wong and 15 other democracy activists for their role in a November 2014 democracy protest in Hong Kong was adjourned on Thursday. Dpa, December 7, 2017