HONG KONG (AP) — An appeals court Wednesday granted the Hong Kong government’s request to ban a popular protest song, overturning an earlier ruling and deepening concerns over the erosion of freedoms in the once-freewheeling global financial hub.
“Glory to Hong Kong” was often sung by demonstrators during the huge anti-government protests in 2019. The song was later mistakenly played as the city’s anthem at international sporting events, instead of China’s “March of the Volunteers,” in mix-ups that upset city officials.
Critics have said prohibiting broadcast or distribution of the song further reduces freedom of expression since Beijing launched a crackdown in Hong Kong following the 2019 protests. They have also warned the ban might disrupt the operation of tech giants and hurt the city’s appeal as a business center.
Judge Jeremy Poon wrote that the composer intended for the song to be a “weapon” and so it had become, pointing to its power in arousing emotions among some residents of the city.
Malaysian soccer player splashed with acid, two others attacked in a week of rare violence
China Inaugurates Second National Botanical Garden
Beijing 2022 Venue 'Ice Ribbon' Opens to Public
China Safeguards Ethnic Minorities' Various Rights by Law: Scholars
Met Opera hosts 4 female conductors in landmark week
Children Experience Different Activities During Summer Vacation Across China
Hong Kong, China hold Turkmenistan in FIFA World Cup qualifier
China's Higher Education Enrollment Rate Reaches 57.8 Pct
Italy bars NGO migrant rescue flights from Sicilian airport, says they interfere with coast guard
Feature: Village basketball adds vitality to life, development in China
Poland detains and questions Russian man who illegally crossed from Belarus
Beijing Rolls out Measures to Boost Consumption