A Hong Kong court has denied the government’s request to ban the protest song, Glory to Hong Kong, in a landmark ruling dismissing the challenge to free speech in the city.
The government’s request for a ban comes after Glory of Hong Kong was mistakenly played at several international sporting events, including rugby and ice hockey competitions, instead of the Chinese national anthem. March of volunteers.
Chinese-ruled Hong Kong has no national anthem of its own, but as a Chinese territory since its return from British rule in 1997, it uses the Chinese national anthem.
The protest song was widely sung and played during the city’s pro-democracy protests in 2019. It was later deemed illegal after China imposed a national security law on it. with this financial center in a crackdown on dissent.
In a written ruling dismissing the ban on Friday, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Chan wrote:
“The court recognized the commitment to freedom of expression in considering this request,” noting the “chilling effects” that could result if the ban was approved.