https://www.scmp.com/rss/330107/feed March of the Volunteers is the national anthem of the People's Republic of China.   In Hong Kong, a proposed law was added to the city’s mini-constitution – the Basic Law – in November 2017. A National Anthem Bill is set to be tabled in early 2019. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying A 19-year-old Hong Kong student has been sentenced to 180 hours of community service for insulting the national anthem by turning his back to the pitch when the song was played at a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier match last year. Eastern Court on Wednesday heard that Lau Pun-hei, a second-year political science student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, had shown “some remorse” and was unlikely to repeat the offence. Lau, who promised in mitigation not to make the same mistake again, pleaded... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3323314/hong-kong-student-given-180-hours-community-service-turning-back-national-anthem?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3323314/hong-kong-student-given-180-hours-community-service-turning-back-national-anthem?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Aug 2025 07:31:35 +0000 Brian Wong Brian Wong A 19-year-old Hong Kong football fan has been convicted of insulting the national anthem by turning his back to the pitch when the song was played at a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier match last year. Eastern Court on Wednesday found defendant Lau Pun-hei’s conduct at Hong Kong Stadium was punishable by a catch-all clause of the National Anthem Ordinance, adding that it amounted to undermining the dignity of “March of the Volunteers” as a symbol and sign of the People’s Republic of China. Lau, a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3320098/hong-kong-football-fan-19-convicted-insulting-national-anthem?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3320098/hong-kong-football-fan-19-convicted-insulting-national-anthem?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Jul 2025 06:02:35 +0000 Brian Wong Brian Wong A Hong Kong man jailed for insulting the national anthem during the opening ceremony of an international volleyball match has abandoned an appeal against his conviction and eight-week sentence. Chan Pak-yui’s counsel told the High Court on Thursday that the jobless 22-year-old, who was waiting to go to university at the time of his arrest, would like to serve his sentence after further discussions with his lawyers. Mrs Justice Judianna Barnes ordered the appeal to be quashed after confirming the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3280889/hongkonger-22-jailed-insulting-national-anthem-abandons-sentence-appeal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3280889/hongkonger-22-jailed-insulting-national-anthem-abandons-sentence-appeal?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Oct 2024 04:00:56 +0000 Students in Hong Kong should sing the national anthem “with emotion” when schools carry out flag-raising ceremonies on the first day of the academic term on Monday, the education chief has said. Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin issued the reminder on Sunday, noting some students might be confused about whether they had to sing during the ceremonies. “On some occasions, we call it ‘playing the national anthem’. On others, we call it ‘playing and singing that national anthem’,” Choi... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3276760/hong-kong-students-should-sing-national-anthem-emotion-return-school-minister?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3276760/hong-kong-students-should-sing-national-anthem-emotion-return-school-minister?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Sep 2024 09:25:22 +0000 A song linked to the anti-government protests of 2019 that has been banned by Hong Kong authorities may soon be removed from streaming platforms by its UK, US and Canadian distributors, its producer has said. The distribution of “Glory to Hong Kong” was banned by the Court of Appeal in May, which granted an interim injunction sought by Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok. The court found the song had become a “weapon” that could be used to arouse anti-government and separatist sentiment.... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3275240/glory-hong-kong-protest-song-may-be-pulled-online-sites-producer-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3275240/glory-hong-kong-protest-song-may-be-pulled-online-sites-producer-says?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Aug 2024 15:05:19 +0000 A Hong Kong man has been jailed for nearly two months for insulting the national anthem during the opening ceremony of an international volleyball match last year. Chan Pak-yui returned to Kowloon City Court on Monday to be sentenced for a series of disruptive acts while “March of the Volunteers” played before a women’s Volleyball Nations League match at the Coliseum in Hung Hom on June 16, 2023. The 22-year-old was not required to serve his time immediately as the court opted to extend his bail... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3275075/hong-kong-man-jailed-8-weeks-over-insulting-national-anthem-volleyball-match?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3275075/hong-kong-man-jailed-8-weeks-over-insulting-national-anthem-volleyball-match?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:17:08 +0000 A Hong Kong man has been convicted of insulting the national anthem through a series of disruptive acts during the opening ceremony of an international volleyball match last year. Kowloon City Court on Friday found Chan Pak-yui had deliberately disparaged “March of the Volunteers” before the contest between the women’s national teams of China and Bulgaria at the Coliseum in Hung Hom on June 16, 2023. The 22-year-old Hongkonger admitted he had booed the national anthem, displayed a thumbs-down... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3271128/hong-kong-man-22-convicted-insulting-chinas-national-anthem-volleyball-match?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3271128/hong-kong-man-22-convicted-insulting-chinas-national-anthem-volleyball-match?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Jul 2024 09:20:59 +0000 A Hong Kong court has ordered a jailed activist to pay HK$100,000 (US$12,800) to authorities for making a “totally unmeritorious” request to allow her to contest a ban on the promotion of a popular 2019 protest song. The Court of Appeal on Thursday refused to allow Chow Hang-tung to challenge an earlier decision barring her from filing grounds of objection against an injunction order on “Glory to Hong Kong”, which was mistaken for the national anthem of China at several overseas sports... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3271001/hong-kong-activist-pay-hk100000-needless-court-bid-challenge-protest-song-ban?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3271001/hong-kong-activist-pay-hk100000-needless-court-bid-challenge-protest-song-ban?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Jul 2024 13:48:04 +0000 Hong Kong education authorities have asked a secondary school to submit a report after a video was spread online of its students disrupting a history lesson by mocking their teacher, and performing antics with the national anthem playing as background music. The Education Bureau also said on Tuesday that schools should immediately follow up when students acted in a manner that disrespected the national anthem, “March of the Volunteers”, as stipulated by the National Anthem Ordinance. In the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3264433/hong-kong-school-must-submit-report-authorities-after-viral-video-students-antics-national-anthem?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3264433/hong-kong-school-must-submit-report-authorities-after-viral-video-students-antics-national-anthem?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 May 2024 09:46:17 +0000 The Scottish-based distributor of a protest song banned by Hong Kong has denied claims it had bowed to censorship and insisted it decided to pull the controversial tune from its roster because of the cost of hiring legal experts to assess the “evolving and complex” situation. Ally Gray, the managing director of EmuBands, based in Glasgow, said on Monday the company was not part of a “conspiracy” and had not made a political statement with its decision to remove “Glory to Hong Kong” from most... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3264312/scottish-distributor-controversial-2019-hong-kong-protest-song-says-high-cost-legal-advice-forced-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3264312/scottish-distributor-controversial-2019-hong-kong-protest-song-says-high-cost-legal-advice-forced-it?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 May 2024 12:54:10 +0000 A ban on a protest song popular during the 2019 unrest is finally bearing fruit for the Hong Kong government two weeks after a court granted an injunction, observers have said, noting overseas companies are being prudent and following the law. But commentators also said the “Glory to Hong Kong” protest tune was likely to remain available online even though its Scotland-based distributor decided to pull it from global music platforms, especially as the song’s creators were looking for alternative... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3264102/ban-glory-hong-kong-protest-song-finally-bearing-fruit-government-observers-say-youtube-and-others?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3264102/ban-glory-hong-kong-protest-song-finally-bearing-fruit-government-observers-say-youtube-and-others?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 May 2024 13:02:53 +0000 A controversial song made popular during Hong Kong’s 2019 social unrest has been globally removed from several music platforms in an apparent breakthrough for the government after it secured a court order to ban the circulation of the tune earlier this month. While video-streaming giant YouTube earlier said it would comply with the injunction to block “Glory to Hong Kong” in the city, different versions of the song had remained readily available on the platform and other music-streaming... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3264060/downing-glory-hong-kong-government-gets-breakthrough-protest-song-removed-top-music-sites-globally?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3264060/downing-glory-hong-kong-government-gets-breakthrough-protest-song-removed-top-music-sites-globally?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 May 2024 14:43:58 +0000 Hong Kong’s justice minister has urged tech giant Google to say whether it will remove a controversial protest song from search results after a court overturned an earlier ruling and banned its distribution. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok on Sunday called on Google to “keep its word” from past discussions with authorities and remove the links to “Glory to Hong Kong” – considered the unofficial anthem of the 2019 anti-government protests. Authorities last year said Google had declined... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3262351/google-should-say-whether-it-will-enforce-ban-glory-hong-kong-protest-song-and-keep-its-word-justice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3262351/google-should-say-whether-it-will-enforce-ban-glory-hong-kong-protest-song-and-keep-its-word-justice?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 May 2024 04:49:58 +0000 Tech giants such as Google might take a wait-and-see approach to Hong Kong’s new ban on a controversial protest song as they also risked coming under fire in their home countries if they complied with the injunction, industry experts and political observers have said. A Post check on Thursday found “Glory of Hong Kong” – considered the unofficial anthem of the 2019 anti-government protests – was readily available on Google, iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Spotify and KKBOX, a day after the city’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3262082/dont-expect-google-and-other-tech-giants-rush-enforcement-ban-glory-hong-kong-after-court-ruling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3262082/dont-expect-google-and-other-tech-giants-rush-enforcement-ban-glory-hong-kong-after-court-ruling?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 May 2024 14:27:45 +0000 A court ban on the distribution of the controversial protest song “Glory to Hong Kong” has raised questions over the use of the tune, which can easily be accessed on the internet. Wednesday’s interim injunction bans “broadcasting, performing, printing, publishing, selling, offering for sale, distributing, disseminating, displaying or reproducing in any way” the tune with the intention to incite others to separate Hong Kong from the rest of the country, commit a seditious act or insult the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3262068/protest-song-glory-hong-kong-ban-legal-experts-weigh-whats-breach-and-what-isnt?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3262068/protest-song-glory-hong-kong-ban-legal-experts-weigh-whats-breach-and-what-isnt?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 May 2024 12:34:15 +0000 A Hong Kong court has voiced concerns over a lack of clarity and certainty in a proposed ban on a controversial protest song, despite the government’s suggestion to add a “lawful acts” exemption for academic and journalistic purposes. Three Court of Appeal judges on Saturday asked justice minister Paul Lam Ting-kwok to re-amend an injunction order he sought to curb the circulation of “Glory to Hong Kong”, which has frequently been mistaken overseas for China’s national anthem and wrongly played... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3253097/hong-kong-court-voices-concerns-over-lack-clarity-proposed-ban-glory-hong-kong-protest-song-despite?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3253097/hong-kong-court-voices-concerns-over-lack-clarity-proposed-ban-glory-hong-kong-protest-song-despite?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Feb 2024 12:27:44 +0000 A Hong Kong ban on the promotion of a protest song may prevent unlawful attempts to incite secession or sedition without a “chilling effect”, the justice department has said, revealing further arguments in its appeal against a court’s refusal to grant an injunction. The additional grounds provided by the justice secretary were released on Friday, almost two months after a court rejected a government request to ban the promotion of “Glory to Hong Kong”, which has frequently been mistaken overseas... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3235576/new-arguments-fresh-court-bid-ban-protest-song-glory-hong-kong-revealed-government?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3235576/new-arguments-fresh-court-bid-ban-protest-song-glory-hong-kong-revealed-government?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Sep 2023 08:00:51 +0000 A Hong Kong court has given the go-ahead for the government to appeal against a rejected ban on a 2019 protest song often mistaken overseas for the national anthem. Mr Justice Anthony Chan Kin-keung on Wednesday said the latest government bid was an attempt to again put forward most of the contentions he had previously rejected, but he agreed that some of the arguments deserved further scrutiny before the Court of Appeal. “Due to the importance of national security, the law on which is of course... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3232026/hong-kong-court-gives-go-ahead-governments-appeal-bid-against-rejected-ban-protest-song-often?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3232026/hong-kong-court-gives-go-ahead-governments-appeal-bid-against-rejected-ban-protest-song-often?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Aug 2023 07:14:20 +0000 Hong Kong’s justice department has criticised a court for what it said was a failure to recognise a judicial lack of expertise in assessment of national security risks after it refused to ban promotion of a 2019 protest song often played in error instead of the country’s national anthem. The Department of Justice on Wednesday explained the legal basis for asking the Court of First Instance’s permission to appeal against its dismissal of a proposed injunction on “Glory to Hong Kong”, which became... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3230556/hong-kongs-government-lawyers-say-court-failed-recognise-its-lack-expertise-national-security-risks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3230556/hong-kongs-government-lawyers-say-court-failed-recognise-its-lack-expertise-national-security-risks?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Aug 2023 13:42:19 +0000 Hong Kong’s justice department has filed an appeal against a judge’s refusal to ban the promotion of a protest song from the 2019 anti-government unrest that has frequently been mistaken overseas for China’s national anthem. A department spokesman on Monday said it had asked the Court of Appeal to review a lower court’s decision to reject the proposed injunction on “Glory to Hong Kong”. The spokesman said the move was in the interests of national security, noting that the song was used to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3230270/justice-department-files-appeal-against-judges-refusal-ban-protest-song-glory-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3230270/justice-department-files-appeal-against-judges-refusal-ban-protest-song-glory-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Aug 2023 10:06:33 +0000 Politicians from three major Hong Kong parties have petitioned the Department of Justice to appeal a court’s dismissal of a government bid to ban the promotion of a protest anthem that became popular during the 2019 social unrest. A source close to the government told the Post the administration would probably appeal against the High Court’s rejection of its application for an injunction to ban the promotion of “Glory to Hong Kong”. Lawmakers from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3230063/3-major-political-parties-call-justice-department-appeal-against-court-dismissal-glory-hong-kong-ban?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3230063/3-major-political-parties-call-justice-department-appeal-against-court-dismissal-glory-hong-kong-ban?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Aug 2023 15:15:22 +0000 The protest song “Glory to Hong Kong,” prevalent on digital platforms since emerging in August 2019, is strongly associated with the civil unrest of that year. But a misconception has arisen among some that the song is the city’s “national anthem”. The confusion has, regrettably, led to it wrongly being played, instead of China’s national anthem, at several international sporting events. There is a need for misunderstandings to be cleared up and for anyone using the song with criminal intent to... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3229783/judge-right-side-his-ruling-hong-kong-protest-song?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3229783/judge-right-side-his-ruling-hong-kong-protest-song?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Aug 2023 22:15:21 +0000 Members of the Hong Kong men’s under-18 ice hockey team will face “punishment and warnings” after they clashed with their Thai counterparts at an overseas match, the city’s association for the sport has said. A viral Twitter video shows about 30 players from both teams brawling with one another after wrapping up a match at an invitational tournament in Bangkok, despite referees’ best efforts to separate them. “The Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association has always valued athletes’ discipline, and is... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3228603/hong-kong-junior-ice-hockey-team-be-punished-over-brawl-thai-players-bangkok-match-sports-body-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3228603/hong-kong-junior-ice-hockey-team-be-punished-over-brawl-thai-players-bangkok-match-sports-body-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Jul 2023 14:24:48 +0000 Proposed restrictions on a Hong Kong song popular during the 2019 anti-government protests may not accomplish what the city authorities want to achieve, a judge has told a hearing on the unprecedented application. Mr Justice Anthony Chan Kin-keung on Friday told the High Court an injunction against “Glory to Hong Kong” might not work differently from the Beijing-imposed 2020 national security law to sanction people who published or promoted the song with seditious intent. The judge added that... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3228517/judge-warns-court-hearing-glory-hong-kong-protest-song-ban-might-not-have-effect-government-wants?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3228517/judge-warns-court-hearing-glory-hong-kong-protest-song-ban-might-not-have-effect-government-wants?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Jul 2023 10:53:05 +0000 The first person to stand trial under Hong Kong’s national anthem law has been jailed for three months after using a song linked to the anti-government protests in a music video that showed a local athlete celebrating his victory at the Tokyo Olympics. Eastern Court on Thursday sentenced photographer Cheng Wing-chun for using “Glory to Hong Kong” in a video posted on YouTube, breaching the National Anthem Ordinance. Magistrate Minnie Wat Lai-man said the consequences of the defendant’s crime... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3228325/hong-kongs-first-person-tried-under-national-anthem-law-sentenced-3-months-jail-using-protest-song?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3228325/hong-kongs-first-person-tried-under-national-anthem-law-sentenced-3-months-jail-using-protest-song?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Jul 2023 07:20:25 +0000 The first person to stand trial under Hong Kong’s national anthem law has been convicted for using a soundtrack of protest music in a video that showed a local athlete celebrating his victory at the Tokyo Olympics. Eastern Court ruled on Wednesday the use of the anti-government tune “Glory to Hong Kong” was an insult to “March of the Volunteers” and amounted to a breach of the national anthem ordinance enacted in June 2020. It was the first ruling by a criminal court in regard to the legality of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3226624/hong-kong-court-convicts-first-person-tried-under-national-anthem-law-editing-protest-song-olympic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3226624/hong-kong-court-convicts-first-person-tried-under-national-anthem-law-editing-protest-song-olympic?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Jul 2023 07:48:04 +0000 The Hong Kong Journalists Association has said it may apply to the courts for an exemption to use protest song “Glory to Hong Kong” in the context of news reporting if the government’s application for an injunction is granted next month. The association has instructed its lawyers to write to the Department of Justice to obtain more information about the government’s application, the organisation said on Wednesday. The government is seeking to ban all forms of the protest song and its... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3224936/hong-kong-journalists-association-considers-seeking-exemption-possible-court-ban-against-protest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3224936/hong-kong-journalists-association-considers-seeking-exemption-possible-court-ban-against-protest?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jun 2023 15:35:08 +0000 Hongkongers are welcome to speak up about a government application to outlaw a popular protest song, the justice minister has said, issuing a reassurance that the proposed ban will have a narrow focus and not affect ordinary residents. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok on Tuesday said the application for an injunction to ban “Glory to Hong Kong” – regarded as the unofficial anthem of the 2019 anti-government protests – only targeted specific actions. “We are seeking to restrain very... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3224719/hongkongers-free-speak-about-application-ban-protest-song-glory-hong-kong-justice-minister-paul-lam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3224719/hongkongers-free-speak-about-application-ban-protest-song-glory-hong-kong-justice-minister-paul-lam?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jun 2023 07:22:58 +0000 A controversial Hong Kong protest song has returned to some music-streaming platforms as a “2023 edition”, after it was removed following a proposed ban by the government, with the tune’s creator vowing to defend freedoms. A total of eight renditions of “Glory to Hong Kong”, a protest anthem created during the 2019 anti-government unrest, were available on music-streaming providers Spotify and KKBox on Monday. Among them, six were remastered versions and two were new tracks. A Post check also... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3224544/glory-hong-kong-protest-song-reappears-music-streaming-platforms-such-spotify-kkbox-remastered-2023?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3224544/glory-hong-kong-protest-song-reappears-music-streaming-platforms-such-spotify-kkbox-remastered-2023?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jun 2023 03:03:52 +0000 A senior Google executive in Asia said the US technology giant remains committed to Hong Kong, after the city’s bid to ban a controversial protest song sparked concerns that Western internet platforms may opt to leave the Asian financial hub. Kathy Lee, Google Cloud’s managing director for Greater China, told the South China Morning Post on Thursday that the company’s government relations team is working closely with Hong Kong authorities, and that its cloud computing unit is committed to... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3224224/google-executive-says-company-committed-hong-kong-amid-fear-search-engine-pull-out-over-potential?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3224224/google-executive-says-company-committed-hong-kong-amid-fear-search-engine-pull-out-over-potential?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jun 2023 11:30:16 +0000 Music-streaming service Spotify on Thursday said popular versions of the controversial protest song “Glory to Hong Kong” had been removed by its distributor, echoing a statement by the tune’s creator the night before. Cantonese and instrumental versions of the song, popular with protesters during the 2019 anti-government unrest, became unavailable to users of Spotify and other music-streaming platforms, including Taiwan’s KKBox, Hong Kong’s Moov and Apple Music, on Wednesday. A Hong Kong court... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3224152/spotify-confirms-removal-glory-hong-kong-protest-song-points-action-tunes-creator-distributor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3224152/spotify-confirms-removal-glory-hong-kong-protest-song-points-action-tunes-creator-distributor?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jun 2023 05:47:35 +0000 A Hong Kong court has postponed hearing a government request to ban a protest song made popular during the social unrest in 2019 to give anyone who wanted to defend the tune a chance to prepare for litigation. The High Court on Monday said it now expected to hear substantive arguments on July 21 in support of an injunction against “Glory to Hong Kong”, widely regarded as the unofficial anthem for the 2019 protests, which were sparked by a now-withdrawn extradition bill. Mr Justice Wilson Chan... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3223779/hong-kong-court-postpones-hearing-over-governments-bid-ban-glory-hong-kong-protest-song?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3223779/hong-kong-court-postpones-hearing-over-governments-bid-ban-glory-hong-kong-protest-song?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jun 2023 07:49:46 +0000 An unprecedented bid by Hong Kong’s government to get a court ban on a protest song rather than passing a law or using existing legislation will create a “universal” chill and have a major impact on the city’s freedom of information, lawyers and academics have warned. But government advisers defended the move on Wednesday, arguing that freedom should have limits and part of the lyrics had been ruled to be “seditious words” by the court in a previous case. The Monday application by Secretary for... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3223177/hong-kong-government-bid-get-court-ban-protest-song-glory-hong-kong-will-have-chilling-effect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3223177/hong-kong-government-bid-get-court-ban-protest-song-glory-hong-kong-will-have-chilling-effect?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jun 2023 03:30:11 +0000 Hong Kong is seeking a court order to permanently bar anyone from advocating a popular protest song from the 2019 anti-government unrest. The High Court was on Tuesday processing an unprecedented application from the justice secretary for an injunction against “Glory to Hong Kong”, widely considered the unofficial anthem for the protests triggered by a now-shelved extradition bill. The writ, filed a day earlier, asked the court to restrain those harbouring criminal intent from “broadcasting,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3223081/glory-hong-kong-protest-song-be-banned-government-files-court-injunction-against-promoting-tune?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3223081/glory-hong-kong-protest-song-be-banned-government-files-court-injunction-against-promoting-tune?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jun 2023 04:26:39 +0000 Hong Kong’s top sports body will issue a written reprimand to the city’s ice hockey association for failing to take the proper steps to ensure the Chinese national anthem was played at an international competitive event. Announcing the decision on Thursday, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China also said it would modify the current guidelines to require sports teams not to attend award ceremonies if organisers had not confirmed they had the correct anthem... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3220983/national-anthem-blunder-hong-kong-top-sports-body-issue-written-reprimand-citys-ice-hockey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3220983/national-anthem-blunder-hong-kong-top-sports-body-issue-written-reprimand-citys-ice-hockey?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 May 2023 07:05:33 +0000 China has expressed its concerns about the “politicisation of sports events” to the International Olympic Committee after a series of incidents that have alarmed Beijing, including a US-led diplomatic boycott of the Winter Games and recent anthem blunders involving Hong Kong teams. The issue was raised when Premier Li Qiang met Thomas Bach, the head of the IOC, in Beijing over the weekend and vowed to deepen cooperation with the sports body. “China’s efforts to promote the Olympic spirit will... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219705/china-tells-international-olympic-committee-concerns-about-politicising-sport?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219705/china-tells-international-olympic-committee-concerns-about-politicising-sport?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 May 2023 22:00:14 +0000 Hong Kong’s sports minister has ordered the city’s top sports federation to put an end to a national anthem row by punishing the ice hockey association and coming up with measures to improve governance issues amid an escalating war of words between the two bodies. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung sounded the call on Sunday, a day after the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and the Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association intensified their verbal... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3219679/hong-kong-national-anthem-blunder-end-row-and-focus-improvement-sports-minister-warns-2-warring?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3219679/hong-kong-national-anthem-blunder-end-row-and-focus-improvement-sports-minister-warns-2-warring?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 May 2023 08:14:46 +0000 A row between the Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association and the city’s sports federation has deepened after the former accused the latter of disrespecting athletes and adopting a “threatening interrogation style” when grilling them over a national anthem blunder. Association chairman Mike Kan Yeung-kit said in a 2,000-word rebuke issued late on Friday night he could “no longer stay silent” after witnessing how Edgar Yang Joe-tsi, honorary secretary general of the Sports Federation and Olympic... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3219629/national-anthem-row-hong-kong-ice-hockey-association-cries-foul-over-sports-federations-threatening?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3219629/national-anthem-row-hong-kong-ice-hockey-association-cries-foul-over-sports-federations-threatening?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 May 2023 09:39:36 +0000 Hong Kong’s top sports federation has accused the city’s ice hockey association of inaccurately claiming a staff member tried to hand over a USB drive with the national anthem to organisers of an international tournament where an anti-government protest song was played during a ceremony. The war of words over the anthem blunder continued after the Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association submitted its final report on Thursday to the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China on how to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3219586/hong-kong-sports-federation-blasts-ice-hockey-association-over-inaccurate-claims-about-anthem?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3219586/hong-kong-sports-federation-blasts-ice-hockey-association-over-inaccurate-claims-about-anthem?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 May 2023 14:27:16 +0000 Hong Kong still faces underlying threats, with a series of anthem blunders a classic example of “soft confrontations” carried out by those who wish to attack both the country and city, the retiring head of police’s National Security Department has said. Edwina Lau Chi-wai, deputy police commissioner overseeing national security, also pushed back against suggestions that the force’s latest protest regulation measures had curbed free speech, arguing that “people with ulterior motives” were... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3218629/hong-kong-still-faces-underlying-threats-soft-confrontations-warns-outgoing-head-polices-national?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3218629/hong-kong-still-faces-underlying-threats-soft-confrontations-warns-outgoing-head-polices-national?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Apr 2023 23:00:17 +0000 Efforts by Hong Kong authorities to ensure the Chinese national anthem is the top result in related Google searches have failed to pay off in several countries, as links to other topics, including a song tied to the anti-government protests, were ranking higher. A check by the Post on Thursday found a search query for “Hong Kong national anthem” still showed that a Wikipedia page about “Glory to Hong Kong”, written during the 2019 social unrest and which had ranked first for months, was listed... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3217693/hong-kong-protest-song-holds-top-spot-google-search-results-overseas-internet-users-despite-national?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3217693/hong-kong-protest-song-holds-top-spot-google-search-results-overseas-internet-users-despite-national?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Apr 2023 06:08:18 +0000 A webpage dedicated to the Chinese national anthem has replaced one providing information about a Hong Kong protest song as the top result for a Google search on the subject after a government bureau made updates to allow people to download the tune directly from its website. Authorities told the Post on Wednesday they had not paid Google to change the rank of the website of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau in the results, but they had optimised relevant webpages to boost their... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3217534/chinese-anthem-finally-tops-google-results-after-months-long-mix-hong-kong-protest-song-overseas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3217534/chinese-anthem-finally-tops-google-results-after-months-long-mix-hong-kong-protest-song-overseas?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Apr 2023 03:50:21 +0000 Hong Kong’s ice hockey body at the centre of a national anthem blunder plans to submit a report next week detailing how it will improve its governance, as its team leader has reminded other sports associations to warn tournament organisers not to search for the song online. Annie Kwan Yuen-yee gave the reminder on Friday, ahead of the submission of the report to the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, which might affect whether the government cuts funding to the ice... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3217042/hong-kong-ice-hockey-body-advises-other-sport-associations-how-avoid-anthem-blunders-ahead-handing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3217042/hong-kong-ice-hockey-body-advises-other-sport-associations-how-avoid-anthem-blunders-ahead-handing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Apr 2023 06:03:50 +0000 The Hong Kong women’s ice hockey team has urged authorities not to slash funding for the sport amid a row over a national anthem blunder involving the men’s side, as the athletes said their spirits were high following their historic win. Five of the 20-strong team on Tuesday afternoon were welcomed home by family members and the Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association, a day after the athletes were crowned champions of their division at an international event for the first time. Athlete Chloe Chan... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3216709/hong-kong-womens-ice-hockey-team-urges-city-not-cut-funds-sport-over-national-anthem-blunder?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3216709/hong-kong-womens-ice-hockey-team-urges-city-not-cut-funds-sport-over-national-anthem-blunder?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:18:27 +0000 Hong Kong women’s ice hockey team has made history after being crowned champions of their division at an international event for the first time, while its leader sought to reassure officials there would be no further anthem blunders from her sport’s representatives. But team leader Annie Kwan Yuen-yee on Monday revealed there was almost another mix-up as the USB drive containing the national anthem, which was submitted to the organiser, was not passed to the person in charge of playing the song.... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3216522/hong-kong-womens-ice-hockey-team-makes-history-championship-win-world-event-vows-no-further-anthem?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3216522/hong-kong-womens-ice-hockey-team-makes-history-championship-win-world-event-vows-no-further-anthem?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Apr 2023 05:09:02 +0000 Hong Kong’s sports minister has pledged to continue funding for ice hockey players to attend international competitions and train, even if the government decides to cut their association’s budget as a penalty for a recent national anthem blunder. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung made the assurance on Saturday amid the fallout of February’s mix-up when a protest song was again played instead of the Chinese national anthem. Since then, a war of words between Hong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3216396/national-anthem-blunder-hong-kongs-sports-minister-vows-continue-funding-ice-hockey-athletes-even-if?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3216396/national-anthem-blunder-hong-kongs-sports-minister-vows-continue-funding-ice-hockey-athletes-even-if?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Apr 2023 06:26:16 +0000 Members of the Hong Kong men’s ice hockey team have expressed disappointment their historic bronze medal win at an international tournament has been overshadowed by a national anthem blunder, saying possible funding cuts could affect their future. “We gave it our all and played our hearts out, yet nobody is talking about that. If our own government does not even support us, the sport will die out,” said Hong Kong team defenceman Yam Yi. The 20-year-old player added: “Hockey is a sport that... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3216235/we-gave-it-our-all-nobody-talking-about-hong-kong-mens-hockey-team-bemoans-anthem-blunder-fears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3216235/we-gave-it-our-all-nobody-talking-about-hong-kong-mens-hockey-team-bemoans-anthem-blunder-fears?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Apr 2023 03:30:23 +0000 The Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association has accused the city’s top sports federation of failing to take its role seriously and making false claims after the latter warned of a possible suspension as a penalty for a recent national anthem blunder. In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the association claimed that officials from the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, had questioned the athletes’ performance, arguing that ranking second and third in a competition... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3216224/hong-kong-ice-hockey-association-hits-back-sports-federation-accusing-it-not-taking-its-role?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3216224/hong-kong-ice-hockey-association-hits-back-sports-federation-accusing-it-not-taking-its-role?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Apr 2023 11:42:26 +0000 A sports sector lawmaker has denied rumours he plans to step down as the honorary president of the Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association following mounting controversy over a national anthem blunder, even as he admits the body has governance problems. Kenneth Fok Kai-kong on Wednesday addressed overnight media reports stating he would resign from the association, with the process to suspend its official status being launched by the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China. Fok is... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3216043/national-anthem-blunder-hong-kong-sports-sector-lawmaker-denies-report-his-exit-role-ice-hockey-body?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3216043/national-anthem-blunder-hong-kong-sports-sector-lawmaker-denies-report-his-exit-role-ice-hockey-body?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Apr 2023 04:29:09 +0000 The Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association could become the first organisation to be penalised over a blunder involving the national anthem after the city’s sports federation began the process of suspending its official status. In a letter sent to the association on Tuesday, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China also gave the group a month to provide a written explanation concerning its failure to follow the relevant guidelines and a road map for improving its corporate... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3215991/national-anthem-blunder-hong-kong-ice-hockey-group-could-lose-official-status-top-sports-body-begins?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3215991/national-anthem-blunder-hong-kong-ice-hockey-group-could-lose-official-status-top-sports-body-begins?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Apr 2023 10:57:45 +0000