Hong Kong’s Decade of Protest: A Resilient Memory Amidst Suppression

Kenneth experienced a resurgence of memories while walking through Hong Kong’s Victoria Park, a site historically central to the city’s opposition against China. In his youth, Kenneth acquired calligraphy posters from pro-democracy politicians during the yearly Lunar New Year fair. Later, as a teenager, he participated in protest marches that consistently commenced in the park before proceeding through the city. At the age of 12, he started attending the park’s large vigils commemorating the Tiananmen massacre, an event openly remembered in Hong Kong despite being forbidden in mainland China. These vigils are no longer held. The stalls of politicians at the fair have vanished, demonstrations have been suppressed, and pro-democracy activists have been imprisoned. Kenneth perceives that his political development, and that of Hong Kong, is undergoing an effacement. The former activist, who chose to remain anonymous during the interview, stated, “People still carry on with life… but you can feel the change bit by bit.” He added, “Our city’s character is disappearing.” Superficially, Hong Kong retains its familiar appearance, with crowded trams continuing to traverse lively streets and its vivid neon-lit vibrancy undiminished. However, a closer examination reveals indications of the city’s transformation, ranging from skyscrapers illuminated nightly with tributes to China, the motherland, to the growing prevalence of mainland Mandarin spoken alongside Hong Kong’s indigenous Cantonese. The exact number of Hong Kong’s population, exceeding seven million, who endorse Beijing’s control remains unknown. Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands have participated in demonstrations over the last decade, following the emergence of a pro-democracy movement in 2014. While not universally supported, few would dispute that Beijing suppressed this movement. With a tumultuous decade concluding, aspirations for a more liberated Hong Kong have diminished. China asserts that it has stabilized a turbulent city. Hundreds have been incarcerated under a comprehensive national security law (NSL), which also prompted thousands of disenchanted and cautious Hongkongers to leave the territory, among them activists who either feared or evaded apprehension. Others, such as Kenneth, have remained and maintain a discreet presence. Yet, within many individuals persists the recollection of a more open Hong Kong, a place they strive to recall despite Beijing’s restructuring of their city. Upon its handover from British colonial rule to China in 1997, Hong Kong received assurances that it would retain certain rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the rule of law, for a period of 50 years. However, as Beijing’s influence expanded, so did the apprehension among the city’s pro-democracy advocates. In September 2014, tens of thousands of demonstrators initiated large-scale sit-ins in central Hong Kong, advocating for fully democratic elections. This event brought a new cohort of pro-democracy activists to public attention, including Joshua Wong, then a 17-year-old student, and Benny Tai, a university professor, who named the movement Occupy Central. This also laid the groundwork for more intense protests in 2019, which were provoked by Beijing’s proposition to extradite residents to the mainland. Although the plan was withdrawn, the demonstrations escalated over several months as demands for greater democracy increased, evolving into the most significant challenge to Beijing’s governance in Hong Kong. Chan Kin-man, who co-founded the campaign with Tai and Reverend Chu Yiu-ming, stated, “Without Benny Tai, there would have been no Occupy Central.” Chan Kin-man further remarked, “He had the temper of scholars and spoke his mind… that’s why he was bold enough to push for changes and think about big ideas. It is always people [like this] who change history.” Both Chan and Reverend Chu are currently living in exile in Taiwan. Chan relocated to Taipei in 2021, having completed an 11-month prison sentence for inciting public nuisance due to his involvement in Occupy Central. He is presently a fellow at a research institute there. Tai remains in Hong Kong, where he is scheduled to serve the next ten years in prison. In November, he received a subversion sentence, alongside over 40 other pro-democracy activists, including Wong, many of whom have been incarcerated since their apprehension in early 2021. Upon exiting the courtroom, Wong exclaimed: “I love Hong Kong.” The subsequent day, 76-year-old billionaire Jimmy Lai, a prominent critic of China, gave testimony at his trial concerning alleged collusion with foreign entities. Appearing fragile yet resolute, he informed the court that his now-closed newspaper, Apple Daily, had solely championed the principles of Hong Kong’s populace: “Pursuit of democracy and freedom of speech”. These trials have proceeded without much public fanfare, a notable contrast to the circumstances that precipitated them. Minor demonstrations outside the courthouse were