Can a mere song pose a threat to the national security of China and challenge the authority of the ruling Communist Party? It may sound unlikely, but that’s exactly what Hong Kong officials believe. They are seeking a court injunction to ban a protest anthem called “Glory to Hong Kong” from being performed, broadcast, distributed, displayed, sold, printed, or published in any form or platform. This includes not only the lyrics but also the melody of the song. According to the government’s request, even humming it in public could be a violation of the city’s strict national security law.
“Glory to Hong Kong” was predominantly written in Cantonese by a local composer known as Thomas dgx yhl during the 2019 anti-government protests. It quickly became the unofficial anthem of the movement and an embodiment of their aspirations. The lyrics that have caught the attention of the authorities are: “Liberate our Hong Kong, in common breath; Revolution of our times!” In Hong Kong, these words are considered dangerously supportive of secession, a “red line” for China.
When Beijing imposed its national security law on Hong Kong in 2020, anyone using the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our time” was deemed to be violating the law and subject to prosecution. The first conviction under this law was that of a young activist, Tong Ying-kit, who rode on his motorcycle with the slogan displayed on a flag, heading towards a group of police officers during a mass demonstration. He was sentenced to nine years in prison for terrorism and inciting secession. The law effectively silenced protests, leading to the cessation of mass gatherings and singing of protest songs in public spaces. However, “Glory to Hong Kong” has managed to persist despite these restrictions, causing embarrassment to the city’s leadership.
The song made headlines in November 2022 when it was mistakenly played instead of the Chinese national anthem at a rugby match in South Korea. This incident raised suspicions among Beijing loyalists of intentional provocations. Similar mix-ups occurred at other sporting events, where the Chinese anthem, “March of the Volunteers,” was played but erroneously labeled as “Glory to Hong Kong” on television broadcasts. These mistakes have further fueled the government’s determination to ban the protest song.
However, it seems that the actual target of the government’s request is the internet. A simple search for “Hong Kong anthem” on Google prominently brings up “Glory to Hong Kong,” while YouTube displays various renditions of the song as the top results in English. The government’s motion aims to pressure tech giants to remove the song from their platforms. Concerns about censorship arose when the protest song briefly disappeared from some music streaming sites, only to reappear later, sometimes rebranded as a “2023 edition.” Last year, the Hong Kong government reportedly approached Google and requested the correct anthem to be prioritized in search results, but the company declined, citing its commitment to unbiased search algorithms. Security minister Chris Tang criticized Google, accusing its search results of “hurting the feelings” of the people of Hong Kong.
A judge is currently soliciting input on the government’s request. Over two dozen human rights groups and overseas organizations of exiled Hong Kong activists have written to the CEOs of Apple, Meta, Spotify, and Twitter, urging them to oppose the injunction. The Hong Kong Journalists Association has received assurances from the government that media reporting would be exempt if the song is banned. The next hearing is scheduled for July 21.
Banning “Glory to Hong Kong” would be another step in the government’s relentless efforts to suppress dissent and impose a sense of “patriotism” towards mainland China on the Hong Kong population. Books discussing sensitive subjects have been removed from library shelves, and films are subjected to political censorship. Even wearing a black T-shirt or carrying a yellow flower, symbols of opposition in Hong Kong, can result in detention by the police. The Hong Kong government seems determined to curtail free expression without limitations. If tech giants comply with the injunction, will the next demand be to erase all references to the massive anti-government protests of 2019? Or to eliminate any mention of the Tiananmen Square massacre, which is already heavily censored in mainland China?
Of course, tech companies have the option to refuse to comply with the injunction. However, they risk being blocked in Hong Kong, similar to how certain Google and Meta products are banned in mainland China. Hong Kong has thrived as an international financial center due to its openness, independent judiciary, and free flow of information. All of this could be at stake if “Glory to Hong Kong” is banned. Ultimately, Hong Kong runs the risk of becoming just like any other mainland Chinese city, and that may be exactly what Beijing desires.
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