Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement and its tie with the Hong Kong Riots

The Yellow Umbrella Movement

What is the Hong Kong Umbrella movement and how did it impact Hong Kong Tremendously? Back in September of 2014, the umbrella movement was formed. This movement is closely knit to the political and social history of Hong Kong. Back in the early years, Hong Kong used to be a British colony however since the year 1997 it has been handed over to the city of China. In accordance to the constitutional principle One Country, Two Systems, the Chinese Communist party assured that Hong Kong will remain in using their own currency, legal and parliamentary systems (which has been in use since the British colonial period) and people’s existing rights and freedoms for fifty years (Holiday, & Wong, 2003).

You might be wondering, well what is the situation in Hong Kong today? As of recently, the military in China has warned unrest should not be tolerated according to the news released by The Guardian UK. The head of the Chinese Army in hong Kong has broken the silence on commenting regarding the protests for the first time saying the unrest has “massively threatened the life and safety” of the people of Hong Kong and acts of violence should not be tolerated at all.

The Commander Chen Diaoxiang on Wednesday Wednesday at a reception celebrating the 92nd anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army said that they are “determined to protect national sovereignty, security, stability and the prosperity of Hong Kong”. This statement was released after 43 protestors were held accountable of rioting and were released on bail. Some of those involved were as young as the age of 16 and among the 43 included was a Cathay Pacific Pilot.

Tung had claimed too that “politicians of other nations and anti –China forces with ulterior motives” are working hard to build fear of the people of Hong Kong and break the ties between mainland China and Hong Kong”.

Sources:

- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/01/hong-kong-protests-china-military-breaks-silence-to-warn-unrest-will-not-be-tolerated (Hong Kong Protests: China Military breaks silence to warn unrest will not be tolerated, Laurel Chor 1st of August 2019, The Guardian)

- https://www.diggitmagazine.com/papers/social-movements-digital-age (The Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong, PAPER Magazine, Ho Chuen Ng, 15th of March 2017)