Hong Kong, a Truly International City in 2019/2020: Timeline of Incidents – International and Human Rights Perspectives

• Main Author: Chong Yiu Kwong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Sun Yat-sen University 2020-12-01
• Series: Contemporary Chinese Political Economy and Strategic Relations: An International Journal
• Subjects: hong kong; anti-extradition amendment law movement; timeline; human rights
• Online Access: https://icaps.nsysu.edu.tw/var/file/131/1131/img/CCPS6(3)-Chong.pdf

In 2019 an extradition amendment bill in Hong Kong triggered a public outcry and a persistent social movement. While in authoritarian states no demonstration of considerable size is allowed, in liberal democracies such a large-scale protest would probably compel the government to concede to public opinion. Hong Kong is neither of them, where the main strategy of the Government in handling the crisis is to exercise stronger political and social control over the society. The conflicts are intensified, with the whole society paying a high cost. If the basic strategy does not work, will the authority rethink and change it? The timeline exposited in this article that sets out the significant protests while placing much emphasis on the international and human rights dimensions is an extract of the major events during the anti-extradition amendment law movement and its aftermath.