What are the Hong Kong protests and why did they start?

What are the Hong Kong protests and why did they start?

The protests began in June 2019 over plans – later put on ice, and finally withdrawn in September – that would have allowed extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China. They then spread to reflect wider demands for democratic reform, and an inquiry into alleged police brutality.

Why did Hong Kong’s opposition parties trashed the House of Representatives?

There they trashed the chambers in protest over an extradition bill which they feared would make people in Hong Kong subject to China’s legal system.

Is China tightening its grip on Hong Kong?

Hong Kong has seen several months of pro-democracy protests – and China appears to be tightening its grip. The protests began in June 2019 over plans – later put on ice, and finally withdrawn in…

What happened on 16 June in Hong Kong?

On 16 June, just one day after the Hong Kong government suspended the bill, an even bigger protest took place to push for its complete withdrawal and in reaction to the perceived excessive use of force by the Hong Kong Police Force on 12 June. As the protests progressed, activists laid out five key demands (see Objectives ).

What are the protests in China all about?

The protests started over a general mistrust of the Chinese legal system. Currently, the government has declared the bill “dead” and insists all work has stopped on the bill. But protesters demand the formal rules of withdrawing a bill be followed in the Legislative Council.

Why do Hong Kongers refuse to identify with mainland China?

Hong Kongers have described legal, social and cultural differences – and the fact Hong Kong was a separate colony for 150 years – as reasons why they don’t identify with their compatriots in mainland China.

Why is Hong Kong’s anti-Mainland Chinese sentiment rising?

There has also been a rise in anti-mainland Chinese sentiment in Hong Kong in recent years, with people complaining about rude tourists disregarding local norms or driving up the cost of living. Some young activists have even called for Hong Kong’s independence from China, something that alarms the Beijing government.

Why is trust in Hong Kong’s police declining?

Meanwhile, as the Hong Kong government continues to reject the movement’s broadly popular demands and the police continued their hardline approach, the general public’s trust in both the government and the police force has continued to deteriorate to the lowest of levels.

Are large-scale protests ever ‘understandable’?

In the October survey, 59 per cent of respondents agreed that “when large-scale protests cannot force the government to respond, it is understandable that protesters would take radical actions”. Of course, that someone finds certain actions “understandable” doesn’t mean they consider all actions acceptable.