Democracy in China

Hundreds of thousands of Hongkongers took to the streets on December 8, 2019, the day before the six-month anniversary of the anti-government protests. For the first time since August, the Civil Human Rights Front, the organizer of the march, received a letter of no objection from the police.

Authorities in a southern Chinese city have suspended plans to build a crematorium following two days of clashes between riot police and residents in scenes that drew comparisons to the continuing unrest in Hong Kong. The clashes in Wenlou, which is about 60 miles north of Hong Kong, began on Thursday when hundreds of locals tried to march on the town’s government offices in protest against plans to build a crematorium on land they believed had been set aside for a park. But police intervened, firing tear gas and using batons to fend off the crowds. Dozens of people were injured and as many as 100 were detained, witnesses said. Authorities in Huazhou, Guangdong province, issued a notice late

A 70-year-old street sweeper hit by a brick during a clash between anti-government protesters and residents in Hong Kong on Wednesday has died. He was one of three people – including a 15-year-old boy – ­critically injured during confrontations over the past few days amid social unrest that created the worst political crisis in the former British colony since it returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The 70-year-old, surnamed Luo, died on Thursday night after being struck in the head by a flying brick during a clash in the border town of Sheung Shui, a spokesman for Prince of Wales Hospital said. Protests have continued for months to demand accountability for alleged police abuse and call for de

Aaron Kwok, a Canto-pop and movie superstar in Hong Kong, found himself briefly stranded in his Lamborghini supercar on Sunday night when he ran into a scrum of anti-government protesters. Thousands of demonstrators had gathered near the US consulate to demand American support for their calls for democracy and autonomy before the rally descended into chaos in several neighborhoods. Kwok, known for his love for horses and cars, was caught up in protests in the Causeway Bay district as riot police blanketed streets nearby with tear smoke. Surrounded by masked protesters wearing black T-shirts, Kwok rolled down his car window several times and explained that he was running an errand. “I’m gett

Over the past week, nationalist fury has enveloped China’s internet, prompting actors, musicians and other public figures in the mainland to criticize the continuing anti-government protests in Hong Kong. Against this backdrop, outspoken Chinese mixed martial arts fighter Xu Xiaodong has bucked the trend by speaking up for Hongkongers on social media. On Sunday, Xu, who has controversially made a name for himself by challenging what he calls “fake” kung fu masters, wrote on Twitter that Hong Kong is a world-class free market with quality higher education and a robust entertainment industry. He condemned some violent clashes between protesters and police as illegal acts that must be punished

A famed Bruce Lee philosophy has become a mantra for Hong Kong’s leaderless anti-government protests. “Be water” was once known only among fans of the kung fu superstar. Now the saying has been adopted by protesters to keep the police on their toes, as they demand accountability and democracy. For protesters, “be water” means being anonymous, spontaneous, flexible and also evasive – just like the flow of water.  The words are printed in English on protest posters, cited in online discussions and scrawled on walls as a reminder of the strategy. As a result, the site of protests can rapidly change over the course of a day and catch the police off guard. But the flash mob strategy could be put

Hong Kong is reeling from a terrifying attack on Sunday night by a mob of men wearing white T-shirts who indiscriminately beat people – including anti-government protesters and passers-by – with sticks and iron rods, hurting dozens. Police sources have told the South China Morning Post that more than 100 men took part in the rampage, including members of the notorious 14K and Wo Shing Wo triad gangs. On Monday night, police arrested six men in connection with the attack, including some with triad connections. Another five people were arrested on Tuesday.  At the moment, it’s unclear exactly who was behind the melee, which happened at a train station in the northern district of Yuen Long. But

A Hong Kong celebrity has been compelled to declare her love for China after she “liked” an Instagram post showing protests against Beijing. Charmaine Sheh Sze-man, a Hong Kong actress popular in mainland China, denied she was supporting protests against a proposal to allow extraditions to the mainland that triggered massive demonstrations in her home city. The internet attacks against her on mainland Chinese social media after she “liked” the video highlight the political tightrope that actors and other performers in Hong Kong must walk. Mainland China has overtaken the city as the main income source for many of them. Those who have defied Beijing’s official line have been punished by boyco

Mass demonstrations in Hong Kong against a proposed extradition bill have been making headlines around the world. But what about in mainland China? As we’ve explained, Hong Kong is legally part of China,  but it enjoys many freedoms, including an unfettered internet. Most mainland news outlets have stayed silent on the continuing demonstrations against the bill, which could allow suspects to be extradited to mainland China. Following a huge demonstration on Sunday and violent protests on Wednesday, a few state media labeled the protesters as “dangerous rioters” supported by “foreign forces” to damage Hong Kong. The state-run Xinhua news agency said on Thursday the extradition bill was suppor

Protests in Hong Kong over an extradition bill have paralyzed traffic near government headquarters, the main site of the 2014 Umbrella Movement pro-democracy demonstrations calling for freer elections. Here we answer some of your most frequently asked questions. Is Hong Kong a country? No. Hong Kong is a special part of China with its own currency, legal systems and civil liberties unavailable in much of the rest of China. Hong Kong had been a British colony for more than 150 years, interrupted only by several years of Japanese military occupation, before London handed it over to China in 1997. Before this handover, Beijing promised Hong Kong that it would enjoy “a high degree of autonomy,”