There are individual activists and political groupings who believe violent action is legitimate and use the circumstances to actively drive such behaviour.
Over the years, much of Hong Kong’s media has been bought up by China-owned or -affiliated entities. Now, the few remaining independent journalists face a new threat: the city's national security law.
Much is still unknown about how the new national security law will be used in Hong Kong – a deliberate strategy by China. Beijing's intention, though, is clear: make dissent all but impossible.
Protesters in Hong Kong during demonstrations against China’s draft bill to impose national security laws on the semi-autonomous territory.
Ivan Abreu/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The cherished legal rights that Beijing seeks to suppress in Hong Kong were established, in part, by Vietnamese asylum-seekers who fought for their freedom in court in the 1980s.
Hong Kong's currency is pegged to the US dollar, which offers an opportunity to increase public spending and placate protestors.
Hong Kong police detain people on May 27 protesting against a bill that would make it a crime to disrespect the Chinese national anthem.
Miguel Candela/EPA
US President Donald Trump says he'll respond 'very strongly' if China follows through with its draft national security law in Hong Kong. Beijing, though, is prepared for a potential new cold war.
Pro-China counter-protesters, wearing red, shout down a man in a black shirt during a rally for Hong Kong in Vancouver in August 2019. The University of British Columbia is taking measures to enhance respectful dialogue over Hong Kong divisions.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Improving the China-Canada diplomatic relationship is fraught with hurdles, but it's not impossible. At minimum, we must understand the root cause of the problem from multiple vantage points.
Hong Kong’s first Lennon Wall appeared in 2014.
Wpcpey/Wikimedia Commons
What shape will global protests take in the 2020s?
A Buddhist monk releases birds, symbolizing the spirits of the victims of the 2004 tsunami. This Chinese tradition of analogy was taken up by the demonstrators in Hong Kong.
Samantha Sin/AFP
Hong Kong protesters deeply identify with nature, a reference to the current environmental crisis but also a fluid conception of collective action that is inscribed in ancient Chinese tradition.
While tariffs have a direct impact on exporters in the US and China, third-party countries like New Zealand are more affected by non-tariff barriers.
EPA/Aleksandar Plavevski
Hongzhi Gao, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington and Ivy Guo, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
So far, New Zealand exporters have not been affected by the trade war between the US and China, but the Hong Kong crisis could easily embroil any foreign company.
Hong Kong protesters shelter behind a thin barrier – and umbrellas – as police fire tear gas and encircle a group of demonstrators.
AP Photo/Vincent Yu
Revolutions are built not on deep misery but on rising expectations. History may not provide much hope of immediate change in Hong Kong – but protesters may have a longer view.
Preparing for a clash with police at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Jerome Favre/EPA
After months of respecting the boundaries of university campuses, the Hong Kong police moved in to make arrests. Now, protesters are defending what had once been sanctified spaces.
Police fire tear gas to deter protesters in Hong Kong.
Jerome Favre/EPA