Hong Kong’s government has announced its intention to obtain a court order preventing the broadcasting or distribution of the protest song “Glory to Hong Kong.” This decision comes after the song was mistakenly played as the city’s anthem at various international sporting events over the past year.
The Department of Justice stated that it had applied for an injunction on Monday to prohibit unlawful activities associated with the song, which gained popularity as an unofficial anthem during the 2019 pro-democracy protests. The government is currently awaiting court directions and the scheduling of a hearing date.
According to the government, the song’s lyrics include slogans that have been deemed by the court as “secessionist.” Given its previous misidentification as Hong Kong’s anthem instead of China’s national anthem, “March of the Volunteers,” it is highly likely that the song will continue to be widely used. In 2020, the government banned the protest slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times” for its secessionist and subversive connotations. Since the “Glory to Hong Kong” lyrics contain parts of this slogan, it is widely perceived as banned.
The injunction aims to prohibit anyone from broadcasting, performing, printing, publishing, selling, offering for sale, distributing, disseminating, displaying, or reproducing the protest song, or any adaptations thereof that closely resemble the original melody and lyrics. It specifically targets individuals who utilize “Glory to Hong Kong” to advocate for Hong Kong’s separation from China, incite others to commit secession or sedition, or imply Hong Kong’s independence or insult the national anthem.
The HKSAR Government said it acknowledges the importance of protecting rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, however it emphasizes that freedom of speech is not absolute in accordance with the Basic Law.
