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Chinese politics

Many protesters say their pro-democracy campaign is neither a revolution nor about "defeating" Beijing. But for Hong Kongers, issues of national identity and their relationship with China are still complicated.

Hong Kongers battle for their identity as well as their political rights

Hong Kong protests flared up over a matter of politics — whether China would allow full democracy for the city in choosing its chief executive. But the movement is also about Hong Kong’s unique history and identity, and how that can survive within China’s far different culture.

Leung Kwok-hung – aka “Long Hair” (on left) – was among a small group of protesters keeping vigil outside the office of Hong Kong’s chief executive on Monday morning.

A veteran Hong Kong protest leader says this isn’t a revolution — yet

Global Politics
A protester's signs urged Hong Kong citizens to "wake up" and join demonstrations, because "Beijing is not trustworthy, and democracy is a broken dream".

Hong Kong’s leader offers to meet protesters, but refuses to resign

Global Politics
Two signs (left and center) ask protestors to patronize independent stores who've been impacted by the street closures. "Mommy, don't worry about me," says the sign on the right. "Today I found out what the world is like."

Hong Kong’s protests are less ‘occupy’ and more ‘take back our city,’ says one couple

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Mary Kay Magistad in Hong Kong

Beijing’s usual playbook of control won’t work in Hong Kong

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Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty after 156 years of British colonial rule. The handover ceremony shows the Chinese flag flying after the Union flag was lowered on July 1, 1997.

Hong Kong still holds powerful symbolic meaning for China

Global Politics

Hong Kong isn’t just a city — it’s the place where China was able to strike a long-awaited blow at the Western powers who subjected China to decades of colonial humiliation. That’s how Beijing still views the city, and that powerful past means compromise on the current protests is all that much harder.

Protesters stand on a bridge as they block the main street to the financial Central district outside of the government headquarters building in Hong Kong on September 30, 2014.

In central Hong Kong, the protest movement keeps growing

Global Politics

Hong Kong’s “Umbrella Revolution seems to only get bigger as the days go by. At the center of the protests, demonstrators say they’re not planning on leaving any time soon, even as their demands to Beijing remain unclear.

A Chinese national flag, at center, flies upside down on September 29, 2014. Chinese living in mainland China know very little of the pro-democracy protests taking place in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has grabbed headlines around the world — except in Beijing

Conflict

There might have been a lot of coverage of the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, but the story barely made a blip in mainland China. Chinese government officials have tightly controlled reporting from Hong Kong, and even blocked Instagram for the first time.

A protester walks in tear gas fired by riot policemen after thousands of protesters blocked the main street to the financial district outside government headquarters in Hong Kong on September 28, 2014.

Hong Kong’s ‘Umbrella Revolution’ isn’t deterred by clashes with police

Conflict

Days after demonstrations began in the center of Hong Kong, tens of thousands of demonstrators are still in the streets despite the use of tear gas and pepper spray by the police. And, by all appearances, the pro-democracy protesters are settling in for the long haul.

A protester throws an umbrella at riot police as fellow demonstrators blocked the main street to the central financial district outside government headquarters in Hong Kong on September 29, 2014.

Peaceful protests in Hong Kong become violent clashes with police

Justice

Organizers of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong have battled police throughout the weekend, saying officers used excessive force — including tear gas, pepper spray and batons — against peaceful demonstrations. But they also say demonstrations will continue.