BBC Russian

Protests erupted in June 2019 over a since-axed extradition bill. They escalated into sometimes violent displays of dissent against police behaviour, amid calls for democracy and anger over Beijing’s encroachment. Demonstrators demanded an independent probe into police conduct, amnesty for those arrested and a halt to the characterisation of protests as “riots.”

Hong Kong 47: Ex-law scholar Benny Tai among 4 due in court for mitigation on June 25

Hong Kong’s High Court last Thursday convicted 14 former activists and lawmakers of conspiring to commit subversion. They now join 31 democrats who earlier pleaded guilty to the charge in awaiting sentencing in the city’s largest national security case.

by James Lee 17:24, 4 June 202417:25, 4 June 2024

Beware of troublemakers ‘hijacking’ Tiananmen crackdown anniversary, John Lee says, as police deployment expected

During his weekly press briefing on Tuesday – the 35th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown – Hong Kong’s leader did not respond directly to questions about whether the incident could be lawfully commemorated in public.

by Hans Tse 17:10, 4 June 202417:10, 4 June 2024

Conviction of 14 democrats over primary election bid shows ‘real risks’ to national security, says Hong Kong’s John Lee

“The defendants made use of the so-called primaries and planned to secure a majority of seats in the Legislative Council… and indiscriminately veto the budgets and public works proposals,” Lee said, as he warned that the indiscriminate use of vetoes is illegal.

by James Lee 12:00, 4 June 202412:00, 4 June 2024

Deceased Hong Kong activist funded ‘military training’ trip in Taiwan during 2019 protests, terrorism trial hears

Prosecution witness Eddie Pang told the court that Edward Lau had paid for seven protesters to visit Taichung in September 2019, where they were trained by a veteran Taiwanese soldier on military tactics and firing weapons.

by Hans Tse 08:00, 4 June 202419:03, 3 June 2024

8 people convicted of rioting linked to PolyU siege during 2019 Hong Kong protests

by Hillary Leung 19:09, 31 May 202419:09, 31 May 2024

Protest song ‘Glory to Hong Kong’ appears on streaming platforms again after removal by distributor

by James Lee 17:33, 29 May 202411:23, 31 May 2024

Hong Kong director Kiwi Chow ‘disappointed’ over sudden cancellation of film screenings

by Kelly Ho 12:30, 29 May 202412:30, 29 May 2024

3 people convicted, 1 cleared of rioting linked to PolyU siege during Hong Kong protests in 2019

by Hillary Leung 11:51, 27 May 202414:11, 27 May 2024

2019 Features

Taiwan’s political precipice: Foreign policy heavyweights weigh in, as island welcomes a new leader

by Mercedes Hutton 17:50, 19 May 202412:07, 22 May 2024

Learning their red lines: Hong Kong’s drama groups struggle to set boundaries as performances are axed

by Theodora Yu 09:00, 4 April 202416:55, 3 April 2024

the five demands

Explainer: Hong Kong’s Five Demands – halt the characterisation of protests as ‘riots’

Explainer: Hong Kong’s Five Demands – universal suffrage

Explainer: Hong Kong’s Five Demands – amnesty for all arrested protesters

Explainer: Hong Kong’s Five Demands – an independent investigation into police behaviour

Explainer: Hong Kong’s Five Demands – withdrawal of the extradition bill

Features on the 2019 protests

‘I go almost every day’: The elderly Hong Kong democracy advocates following 2019 protest court cases

10:00, 13 February 202418:02, 9 February 2024

A taste of home: How Hongkongers overseas preserve and adapt the city’s famed cuisine

10:00, 10 February 202415:06, 15 February 2024

Article 23 then and now: What changed between 2002 and 2024, as Hong Kong’s local security law is resurrected

10:30, 4 February 202418:52, 4 February 2024

‘A national security city’: Hongkongers question need for domestic security law, saying ‘more pressing matters’ at hand

12:00, 3 February 202417:20, 4 February 2024

‘I am Taiwanese now’: Hongkongers who have moved to the democratic island cherish their right to vote

15:51, 13 January 202418:16, 10 April 2024

HKFP Yum Cha: 20 years on, Regina Ip says the time has come for Hong Kong’s own security law

10:00, 24 December 202312:23, 29 December 2023

Closely-watched national security trial of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy media magnate Jimmy Lai finally set to start

13:00, 17 December 202317:56, 4 March 2024

Explainer: What is Hong Kong’s Gay Games and why has it seen so much controversy?

10:00, 29 October 202317:15, 27 October 2023

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2019 Protests Explained

Data analysis: How Hong Kong convicted 200 people for rioting during the 2019 protests and unrest

Shifting Narratives: From ‘violent attack’ to ‘gang fight’ – How the official account of the Yuen Long mob attack changed

Explainer: Hong Kong’s national security crackdown – month 1

Hong Kong democrat primaries in full: Young ‘localist resistance camp’ come out on top

Explainer: 10 things to know about Hong Kong’s national security law – new crimes, procedures and agencies

Explainer: From ‘five demands’ to ‘independence’ – the evolution of Hong Kong’s protest slogans

Explainer: The hidden differences between Hong Kong police rifles

Explainer: Hong Kong police top brass embroiled in property scandals

Explainer: Why China-made tear gas is more dangerous

Explainer: Beijing’s 5-day crackdown on Hong Kong’s opposition during covid-19

Explainer: What can Hong Kong’s democrats do with their new District Council majority?

Explainer: Aggressive policing creates rifts in Hong Kong’s civil service, with firefighters caught in fallout

Explainer: ‘Renovation’, ‘decoration’ and ‘fire magic’ – the businesses targeted by Hong Kong’s hit-and-run protesters

Explainer: ‘The Communist Party’s Railway’ – How Hong Kong’s once-respected MTR fell afoul of protesters

Explainer: Know your rights at Hong Kong protests: FAQ with the Progressive Lawyers Group

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COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS on 2019

Hong Kong gov’t uses 2019 protests to justify new security legislation without fully learning from them

“In the Article 23 consultation document authorities offer their interpretation of 2019 without considering the government’s role in triggering the protests, the underlying causes of discontent in Hong Kong, the role of civil society, and the role of ‘external forces,’ ” writes John Burns.

12:30, 18 February 202414:21, 18 February 2024

Universal Children’s Day: Post-Covid, Hong Kong must ensure children’s rights, let them be heard, and tackle self-harm

“Under the current sensitive political atmosphere, conditions of these children are even more difficult to comprehend… Children’s voices are not easy to be heard – though their problems have increased,” writes Billy Wong of the Hong Kong Committee on Children’s Rights.

18:19, 20 November 202318:20, 20 November 2023

If computer games are making Hong Kong kids miserable, make the real world a more attractive place to live

“Inside your computer is a world whose rules you understand, which behaves in a predictable way and responds to your controls. With care and attention you can be a winner,” writes Tim Hamlett. “Outside your computer is a world which has no time for you …”

11:00, 22 July 202314:28, 14 July 2023

Hong Kong District Councils: Where has public opinion gone?

“To shut out the voices of ordinary people in the lowest level advisory committees, which is after all what the District Councils are, seems like an unwise move,” writes John Burns.

10:00, 14 May 202311:57, 15 June 2023

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