Hong Kong's Court of Appeal will on Wednesday announce its ruling on the government's request to ban “Glory to Hong Kong,” which appeared as a protest song during the 2019 pro-democracy demonstrations.
The song, written anonymously, includes the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our time,” and is a reference to a country where authorities have crushed protests in 2020 and the Chinese government has suppressed dissent. Since the enforcement of the safety law, it has become almost illegal to sing or play this song.
However, the song remains a thorn in Hong Kong's authorities, especially as it has been mistakenly performed as the city's official song at international sporting events.
Last June, authorities sought to block “Glory to Hong Kong,” but the High Court rejected the move in a surprise ruling, saying it could have a “chilling effect” on innocent third parties.
The government appealed and took the claim to the Court of Appeals.
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The court is scheduled to announce its decision at 2:30 pm (0630 GMT).
If approved, the song would be the first song to be banned in the former British colony since it was returned to China in 1997.
Attorney Benjamin Yu, representing the government at the appeals court in December, argued that the song resembled “misinformation and propaganda.”
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“This song is considered a weapon by the composer himself,” Yu told the court at the time.
He added that the song is still “trendy” and “continues to be very effective in arousing public sentiment.”
Judges in December asked in a hearing how the government's proposed order would affect internet service providers, reflecting growing international concerns about the free flow of information in Hong Kong. did.
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Authorities have asked Google and other internet giants to remove protest songs from their search results and video platforms, but most have refused.
Hong Kong's technology minister said the injunction was also aimed at persuading Google to remove “Glory to Hong Kong” from its internet search results.
Hong Kong does not have its own national anthem; China's “Volunteer March'' is used.
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Under the Chinese government's “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong is governed by its own judicial system, separate from mainland courts.
Since the protests were crushed and the Chinese government's national security law was enacted, there has been little public dissent, and most pro-democracy activists and opposition politicians have been arrested, kept silent, or fled Hong Kong. are doing.
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