2019–2020 Hong Kong protests

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An overview of the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests


The 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests were a series of demonstrations in Hong Kong that began in June 2019. These protests were initially triggered by the introduction of the Fugitive Offenders amendment bill by the Hong Kong government, which would have allowed the extradition of fugitives to mainland China. The protests evolved into a broader movement advocating for democratic reforms and opposing the perceived erosion of the "one country, two systems" principle.

Background[edit | edit source]

Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China, operates under the "one country, two systems" framework, which grants it a high degree of autonomy and its own legal system. This arrangement was established during the 1997 handover of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China. However, many Hong Kong residents have expressed concerns over increasing interference from the mainland Chinese government.

Timeline of Events[edit | edit source]

June 2019[edit | edit source]

The protests began in early June 2019, with a large-scale march on June 9 organized by the Civil Human Rights Front. Protesters demanded the withdrawal of the extradition bill, which they feared would undermine Hong Kong's judicial independence.

July 2019[edit | edit source]

Protests continued throughout July, with increasing participation and intensity. On July 1, protesters stormed the Legislative Council Complex, marking a significant escalation in the movement.

August 2019[edit | edit source]

In August, the protests expanded to include a general strike and airport sit-ins, which led to the temporary shutdown of the Hong Kong International Airport.

September 2019[edit | edit source]

On September 4, Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, announced the formal withdrawal of the extradition bill. However, protests continued as demonstrators expanded their demands to include an independent inquiry into police conduct, amnesty for arrested protesters, and universal suffrage.

October 2019 to January 2020[edit | edit source]

The protests persisted into late 2019 and early 2020, with clashes between protesters and police becoming more frequent and violent. The use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and other crowd control measures by the Hong Kong Police Force drew international attention and criticism.

Demands of the Protesters[edit | edit source]

The protesters' demands evolved over time, but the core demands included:

1. Complete withdrawal of the extradition bill. 2. Retraction of the characterization of the protests as "riots." 3. Release of arrested protesters. 4. An independent inquiry into alleged police brutality. 5. Implementation of genuine universal suffrage for the election of the Chief Executive and Legislative Council.

International Reactions[edit | edit source]

The protests received widespread international attention, with various governments and organizations expressing support for the protesters' demands or condemning the violence. The United States passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which aimed to support the protesters and hold the Hong Kong government accountable for human rights violations.

Impact[edit | edit source]

The protests had significant social, economic, and political impacts on Hong Kong. They led to a deepening of societal divisions and had a negative effect on the local economy, particularly the tourism and retail sectors. Politically, the protests influenced the 2020 Hong Kong Legislative Council election, which was eventually postponed.

Also see[edit | edit source]


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