| "Glory to Hong Kong" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Song | |
| Language |
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| Written | June–August 2019 |
| Published | 31 August 2019 |
| Recorded | 28–29 August 2019 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 1:45 |
| Composer(s) | Thomas dgx yhl |
| Lyricist(s) |
|
| Glory to Hong Kong | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 願榮光歸香港 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | May Glory Return to Hong Kong | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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"Glory to Hong Kong" (Chinese: 願榮光歸香港; Jyutping: jyun6 wing4 gwong1 gwai1 hoeng1 gong2; Cantonese Yale: Yuhn Wìhnggwōng Gwāi Hēunggóng) is a protest anthem that was composed and written by a musician under the pseudonym "Thomas dgx yhl", with the contribution of a group of Hongkonger netizens from the online forum LIHKG during the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests. It was initially written in Cantonese and was eventually developed into various language versions starting with English.
Since widespread protests to the 2019 extradition bill in Hong Kong erupted in early June 2019,[2] various songs that promote Hong Kong independence, such as "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from Les Misérables, have been sung by protesters on different occasions as their anthems.[3] "Glory to Hong Kong", according to the composer, was created "to boost protesters' morale and unite people".[4] Since the song's publication, it has been sung at most demonstrations. There are also numerous versions in English and other languages.[5]
Using the search term "the national anthem of Hong Kong" on Google had frequently returned "Glory to Hong Kong" as the top search result, leading to the song being used in several international competitions.[6][7][8] In response, Hong Kong authorities have accused the song of promoting subversion and banned it under Hong Kong National Security Law, which defines acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, and is punishable with life imprisonment.[6]
In June 2023, the Department of Justice sought a legal injunction to ban the song, including from the internet.[9] In July 2023, the High Court rejected the request, saying that it could have "chilling effects" on freedom of expression.[10] In August 2023, the Department of Justice appealed the rejection.[11] In May 2024, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the Department of Justice, overturning the High Court's ruling and issuing an interim injunction against the song.[12][13]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
ThompsonTGaMwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Wong, Brian (11 March 2023). "Hong Kong protests: 20 jailed for up to 64 months over riot near besieged PolyU campus in 2019". South China Morning Post.
- ^ Lanyon, Charley (12 September 2019). "Hong Kong protest songs: 7 anthems of the anti-extradition movement – do you hear the people sing?". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 29 September 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
- ^ "Who wrote Glory to Hong Kong?". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 28 September 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
- ^ Tsoi, Grace (14 September 2019). "Glory to Hong Kong: How the protesters got a new song". BBC. Archived from the original on 23 September 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
- ^ a b Siu, Darerca; Pang, Jessie (12 December 2022). "Google refused Hong Kong request over protest anthem – HK official". Reuters. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ Grundy, Tom (3 December 2022). "Protest song 'Glory to Hong Kong' again played instead of Chinese national anthem at sporting finale". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ Wang, Fan (15 December 2022). "Hong Kong anthem: Google won't alter search results amid protest song row". BBC. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ Grundy, Tom (6 June 2023). "Gov't seeks to ban protest song 'Glory to Hong Kong', including from internet – Hong Kong Free Press". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ^ Chau, Candice (28 July 2023). "Hong Kong court rejects gov't application for ban on pro-democracy protest song". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ^ Chan, Irene (7 August 2023). "Gov't launches bid to appeal court's rejection of ban on pro-democracy protest song 'Glory to Hong Kong'". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
scmp_ban_successwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Leung, Hillary (8 May 2024). "Gov't bid to ban 'Glory to Hong Kong' protest song approved by appeals court". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 14 May 2024.