Hong Kong's political system, characterized by 'liberty without democracy,' has led to a unique form of protest due to limited democratic participation and an executive-led government. The 2019 protests against the extradition bill demonstrated the effectiveness of public dissent. However, the new national security law aims to criminalize dissent and end the cycle of protest by targeting past protest strategies. Despite this, Hong Kong's dissenters continue to adapt, finding creative ways to express opposition, such as buying copies of the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper and supporting its parent company, Next Media Group, in the stock market. The future of Hong Kong's delicate balance between liberty and democracy remains uncertain.

Hong Kong's autonomy is being undermined by its own leaders and the imposition of Beijing's new national security law, bypassing the city's legislature. The US has responded by beginning the process of eliminating Hong Kong's special treatment, with potential measures that could harm Hong Kong's separate status. While some measures may not directly affect Hong Kong citizens, others, such as revoking Hong Kong's separate customs and travel territory status, could have severe consequences. The US's actions are part of a broader hardening stance towards China, with Hong Kong caught as a pawn in the emerging cold war between the two superpowers. The article suggests that the city's leaders have gradually ceded its autonomy to Beijing, and the US measures are an international recognition of this process.

Antony Dapiran, an Australian-born, Hong Kong-based journalist and author, discusses the cultural and political identity of Hong Kong amidst the protests and Beijing's influence. His book 'City on Fire' documents the 2019 protests, which he compares to historical parallels like Berlin during the Cold War and Belfast in the Troubles. Dapiran expresses concern over the deep divisions in Hong Kong society and the escalation of violence, particularly during the siege of Polytechnic University. The article also touches on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Hong Kong and the protest movement, noting the community's response and the emergence of the yellow circle economy, which supports the pro-democracy movement.

Antony Dapiran apologizes for his silence due to working on his book about Hong Kong's protest movement, which he describes as both leaderless and nameless. He discusses the challenges of naming the movement and shares his thoughts published in Quartz. Dapiran likens writing the book to packing an octopus into a box, a task that turned out to be easier than expected. He also provides a brief overview of recent events in Hong Kong, including a large peaceful march, upcoming challenges such as protester prosecutions, the Legislative Council elections, and the potential recurrence of protests.

The article discusses the role of music in Hong Kong's protest movements, contrasting the optimistic Cantopop anthems of the 2014 Umbrella Movement with the darker tones of the 2019 protests. It highlights how music has evolved from being expressive and utopian to more utilitarian and reflective of the current political climate. The article mentions specific songs that have become anthems for the protesters, such as 'Glory to Hong Kong,' and how these songs foster solidarity and heighten spirits among the demonstrators. It also touches on the use of music for satire and as a form of resistance against police intimidation. The piece provides insights from ethnomusicologists and protesters on the significance of these protest songs and their impact on the movement.

The article compares the protest movements in Hong Kong in 2014 and 2019, focusing on their distinct soundtracks. The 2014 Umbrella Movement featured optimistic and expressive songs like 'Boundless Ocean, Vast Skies' and 'Raise the Umbrellas', while the 2019 protests have a darker tone with songs like 'Glory to Hong Kong'. Music has played a central role in both movements, reflecting the changing tactics and sentiments of the protesters. The article includes perspectives from ethnomusicologists and protesters, highlighting the importance of music in creating solidarity and expressing political will.

The article contrasts the vibrant, artistic nature of Hong Kong's 2014 Umbrella Movement with the current, more desperate and somber protests. The earlier movement was characterized by a festive atmosphere with cultural expressions and a sense of community, while the current demonstrations are marked by violence, anger, and a pervasive sense of mourning. The extradition bill, which would have allowed suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial, sparked the protests. The bill has since been withdrawn, but not before it led to mass rallies, clashes with police, and several protester suicides. The article highlights the shift from peaceful civil disobedience to what some are calling 'uncivil disobedience', with protesters now willing to contemplate death and engage in violent confrontations with the police. The mood of the protests is captured through descriptions of the slogans, songs, and actions of the demonstrators, who fear the loss of Hong Kong's civil liberties and identity.

The article discusses the unique situation in Hong Kong where the scarcity of public space has led to shopping malls becoming the de facto arenas for social life and, more recently, for protests. With the highest concentration of malls in the world, these privately-owned spaces are connected to the city's infrastructure and are essential for daily activities. The article highlights instances where malls have played significant roles during the protests, either as refuges for protesters or as sites of conflict. It also touches on the tension between supporting the protesters and the pressure to align with Beijing's stance, as seen in the actions of mall management and corporate statements. The piece suggests that the future of Hong Kong's autonomy may be influenced by the stance of these commercial entities.

The article discusses a peaceful protest in Hong Kong, known as the 'Hong Kong Way', which marked the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way. Over 200,000 people formed a human chain across the city to demand democratic reforms, demonstrating broad community support for the movement. The protest was a stark contrast to the subsequent weekend's violent clashes between protesters and police. The author reflects on the concept of 'enchantment' in politics, as described by political theorist Jane Bennett, suggesting that enchantment can inspire hope and engagement in civic life. The article criticizes the Hong Kong government's lack of understanding in dealing with the protests, emphasizing that winning the hearts and minds of people cannot be achieved through economic measures or force, but rather through enchanting the populace.

The article discusses the ongoing protests in Hong Kong and the Chinese government's efforts to control the narrative and suppress the unrest. Despite Beijing's portrayal of the protesters as violent, a recent peaceful march with 1.7 million participants showed continued support for the movement. The article highlights incidents of pro-China sentiment clashing with pro-Hong Kong protesters globally, and Beijing's propaganda push within and outside China. It also covers the international community's growing concern over China's influence and the impact on international businesses, exemplified by the forced resignation of Cathay Pacific's CEO due to pressure from Beijing. The article suggests that Beijing's handling of the situation could drive a wedge between China and the international community, potentially affecting China's global ambitions and economic relations, especially amidst the U.S.-China trade war.

During the Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong's Sham Shui Po district, anti-government protests coincided with traditional celebrations, leading to clashes with police and the burning of 'Hell Money' featuring images of unpopular officials. The protests, part of a broader pro-democracy movement sparked by a proposed extradition law, have persisted for eleven weekends, despite Beijing's warnings and military posturing. The situation escalated as protesters occupied Hong Kong's airport, prompting Beijing to label the demonstrations as showing signs of 'terrorism'. The city awaits Beijing's next move amidst the festival's remnants and a tense atmosphere.

The article discusses the escalating violence in Hong Kong's protests, with protesters attacking police and swarming the international airport, leading to a shutdown. The Hong Kong government, particularly chief executive Carrie Lam, has been criticized for inaction. Beijing is taking a hard line, with state media condemning the protests and troops being amassed near Hong Kong's border. The article suggests that Chinese President Xi Jinping faces a dilemma: intervening could end Hong Kong's financial hub status and provoke further unrest, while inaction could be seen as weakness. Despite economic measures announced by Hong Kong's financial secretary, the political issues driving the protests remain unaddressed, indicating a continued cycle of unrest. The author, Antony Dapiran, is a Hong Kong-based writer and lawyer.

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEx) published conclusions to its consultation paper on backdoor listings, continuing listing criteria, and other related Listing Rule amendments, effective from 1 October 2019. The amendments aim to reduce the use of listed companies for backdoor listings and restrict the creation of shell companies. They include modifications to the definition of a reverse takeover (RTO), a new rule to prevent large-scale issues of securities for cash leading to a change of control, codification of 'extreme very substantial acquisition' requirements, and tightening of compliance requirements for RTOs and extreme transactions. HKEx also updated the sufficiency of operations and assets criteria and extended the definition of 'short-term investments' in the 'cash company rule'. A transitional period of 12 months is provided for companies to comply with the new rules.

Hong Kong has a long history of political protest, from its days as a British Colony to after its handover to Beijing in 1997. Protests have often centered around preserving Hong Kong's unique identity and freedoms. Notable movements include the Star Ferry and Leftist riots (1966-67), June 4 vigils since 1989, opposition to Article 23 in 2003, the Save Star Ferry and Queens' Pier protests (2006), the Anti-Moral and National Education Protest (2011), and the Umbrella Movement (2014). These protests have sometimes led to political change and have been a significant part of Hong Kong's culture of dissent against policies perceived as threats to its autonomy and rights.