A popular Hong Kong protest song, “Glory to Hong Kong,” has mysteriously disappeared from several major music streaming platforms, both within and outside of Hong Kong. The song, which became an unofficial anthem during the city’s democracy protests in 2019, contains lyrics referencing the phrase “liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” which has been deemed illegal by the government for its alleged secessionist and subversive connotations.
Multiple versions of the song uploaded by the original composer, “ThomasDGX & HongKongers,” were no longer accessible on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Google within Hong Kong. However, the titles of cover versions could still be seen on Spotify in other parts of the world. Strangely, by Monday, new uploads of the song reappeared on YouTube, and it could be found again on Spotify and Apple Music, even within Hong Kong.
The original composers, through a Facebook account, stated that they had re-uploaded the song on various platforms as a “2023 Edition” after claiming to experience technical issues unrelated to the streaming services. They emphasized their commitment to freedom of thought and speech and supported listeners’ refusal to compromise their freedom to choose music.
The Hong Kong government has yet to comment on the reappearance of the tracks, and CNN reached out for further clarification. Since Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997, the city was promised freedoms and autonomy, serving as a haven for free speech and creative expression. However, a crackdown on dissent following the democracy protests, coupled with the imposition of a national security law in 2020, has drastically transformed the city, eroding its autonomy and suppressing calls for democracy.
The government recently filed a court injunction seeking to ban the broadcast or distribution of “Glory to Hong Kong” after the song was mistakenly played at international sporting events. The move was justified by city leader John Lee, who claimed that the song was not in line with national interest. The court hearing on the government’s bid to outlaw the song took place on Monday, with a decision on the interim injunction postponed until July 21.
Amnesty International criticized the government’s attempt to ban the song, labeling it “absurd” and calling for an end to the crackdown on freedom of expression. Hong Kong currently does not have its own anthem and uses the Chinese national anthem, “March of the Volunteers,” at official events, while during British rule, the city used “God Save The Queen” as its anthem.
Playing “Glory to Hong Kong” in public now carries legal risks, as evidenced by the arrest of a man last year for playing the song on a harmonica during a vigil for Queen Elizabeth II.