Jazmin Li
In 2019, Hong Kong was rocked by a series of protests that began as a response to a controversial bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China. These demonstrations, which evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement, included a notable three-day sit-in at Hong Kong International Airport from 12 to 14 August. The airport protests, involving thousands of anti-government protesters occupying the terminal, resulted in the cancellation of numerous flights and unprecedented disruption. This particular incident sparked chaos, with riot police clashing with protesters and the airport suffering significant operational and financial losses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Hong Kong International Airport |
| Date of protests | 12-14 August 2019 |
| Reason for protests | To condemn the use of violence by the police, including the firing of teargas at protesters in ways banned under international law |
| Number of protesters | Thousands |
| Outcome | The Airport Authority had to cancel numerous flights, resulting in an estimated loss of US$76 million |
| Other incidents | Riot police clashed with protesters, using batons and pepper spray; protesters erected barricades and there were several arrests |
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What You'll Learn
Hong Kong International Airport protests of 2019
The Hong Kong International Airport protests of 2019 were a series of demonstrations that took place at the Hong Kong International Airport from August 12 to 14, 2019. The protests were part of the larger 2019-2020 Hong Kong protests, which were sparked by a controversial extradition bill and concerns about the erosion of autonomy in the city.
On August 5, 2019, a call for a general strike was answered by approximately 350,000 people, resulting in the cancellation of over 200 flights. A few days later, on August 11, various incidents involving alleged police brutality prompted protesters to organize a three-day sit-in at the Hong Kong International Airport. This protest caused significant disruption, forcing the Airport Authority to cancel numerous flights and stranding passengers.
During the airport protests, thousands of anti-government protesters occupied the airport terminal, blocking the departures area with luggage trolleys and staging a mass sit-down. The protesters also disabled security cameras and confronted suspected undercover police officers. The chaos led to the suspension of all flight check-ins from 16:30 local time on August 13, with only passengers checked in before 4:30 pm able to fly out. The protests resulted in significant financial losses, with aviation experts estimating a US$76 million loss due to flight cancellations on August 12 and 13 alone.
The Hong Kong International Airport protests of 2019 had a significant impact on tourism and the economy in Hong Kong. The number of visitors to the city declined by 40% in August 2019 compared to the previous year, and unemployment rates also rose during this period, particularly in the tourism and catering sectors. The protests also drew international attention, with countries issuing travel warnings and corporations facing pressure to take a stance on the issue.
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The protests' impact on tourism
The 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests were a series of demonstrations against the Hong Kong government's introduction of a bill to amend the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance in regard to extradition. The protests began with a sit-in at the government headquarters on 15 March 2019 and a demonstration attended by hundreds of thousands on 9 June 2019. As the protests progressed, activists laid out five key demands.
The protests had a significant impact on Hong Kong's tourism industry, which experienced a period of uncertainty and disquiet as the demonstrations entered their eighth week without any signs of abating. While tourism had not come to a standstill, there was a softening in business and a slower pickup pace for new bookings. Major hotel chains based in Hong Kong acknowledged that earnings would likely be softer that year due to the protests, which had already impacted them even before the China-US trade war and Brexit. The US and the United Kingdom, Hong Kong’s top long-haul markets, showed little growth in the first five months of the year compared to the same period the previous year.
The word “yet” was often used to describe the situation, as any escalation or significant violence would certainly impact tourism. While some companies claimed not to have been affected by the protests, they did receive inquiries about the safety of visiting Hong Kong. They tried to provide balanced and honest responses, explaining that the demonstrations had been peaceful and concentrated around government offices.
The protests also took a toll on the mental health of Hong Kong residents, with one-third of adults reporting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the protests, comparable to levels seen in war zones. The survey also found that 38% of respondents were troubled by depression-related problems. Symptoms of PTSD were found not only in protesters but also in those watching the news, living in affected areas, or working in jobs related to the movement.
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Police brutality and the use of pepper spray
In 2019, thousands of protesters occupied the arrival and departure halls of Hong Kong International Airport, shutting down flights and prompting the cancellation of more than 100 flights. The protests were sparked by a controversial extradition bill that would have allowed China to extradite people from Hong Kong, sparking fears that Hong Kong residents could be prosecuted by Beijing courts. Hong Kong's chief executive, Carrie Lam, eventually declared the bill "dead" but protesters continued to demand broader reform and greater democracy.
During these protests, there were allegations of police brutality, with police accused of deliberately inciting violence by donning clothing worn by protesters. Protesters also condemned the failure of the police to protect citizens and protesters, despite numerous emergency calls being made. Protesters chose the airport as the location for their demonstration as they believed the highly visible location, with many foreigners passing through, might offer some protection against potential police brutality.
Pepper spray is a common tool used by police forces around the world. It is an inflammatory agent that can cause burning, pain, and temporary blindness when used on a person's eyes. While some courts have found that the use of pepper spray can constitute excessive force, the issue is still hotly debated, and courts are divided on the matter. For example, in the case of Vineyard v. Wilson, officers used pepper spray on a plaintiff who was handcuffed and posed no threat to the officers. The court found that this constituted an unreasonable use of excessive force and a violation of the plaintiff's constitutional rights.
On the other hand, some courts have denied claims of excessive force with pepper spray. Police agencies argue that pepper spray is a safe and effective method to subdue violent or threatening suspects. However, there are documented cases of officers using pepper spray on individuals who are complying and do not pose a threat. In such cases, individuals may have grounds to file a police brutality lawsuit and may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
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The role of pro-democracy lawmakers
Pro-democracy lawmakers have played a significant role in the Hong Kong protests, which have roots stretching back to the 2014 Umbrella Movement. In 2019, pro-democracy activists and lawmakers were among those who participated in a general strike, with around 350,000 people answering the call and over 200 flights cancelled as a result. The protests aimed to draw global attention to the pro-democracy cause and put pressure on the government.
The protests in Hong Kong have been driven by fears of losing the "high degree of autonomy" provided for in the Hong Kong Basic Law, as the government of the People's Republic of China appeared to increase its interference in Hong Kong's affairs. This included the disqualification of lawmakers by the NPCSC and the imprisonment of Hong Kong democracy activists.
Pro-democracy lawmakers have faced repercussions for their involvement in the protests. In 2019, there was a harsh crackdown by authorities on prominent pro-democracy figures, with arrests and imprisonment. In response to the dismissal of four pro-democracy legislators by the Hong Kong government in 2020, all remaining pro-democracy lawmakers resigned en masse, leaving the Legislative Council without an opposition voice. This further undermined the city's already fragile democratic institutions.
The imposition of a sweeping national security law by China in 2020 sparked renewed protests in Hong Kong, as residents feared it would be used to suppress dissent and erode the city's autonomy and civil liberties. As the protests continued, the government tightened its control, censoring school textbooks, removing mentions of the Tiananmen Square massacre, and arresting organisers of vigils for the victims. The civil society crackdown triggered a massive exodus from Hong Kong, with pro-democracy activists and lawmakers among the first to leave the territory.
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The controversial extradition bill
The 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests were a series of demonstrations against the Hong Kong government's introduction of a bill to amend the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance in regard to extradition. The bill, known as the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019, was first proposed by the Hong Kong government in February 2019 in response to the 2018 murder of Poon Hiu-wing by her boyfriend Chan Tong-kai in Taiwan. The bill would have allowed for the Hong Kong government to consider requests from any country for the extradition of criminal suspects, even countries with which it does not have an extradition treaty—including mainland China.
The existing extradition law specifically states that it does not apply to "the Central People's Government or the government of any other part of the People's Republic of China". The proposed changes would have exposed residents of the former British colony to China's deeply flawed justice system, leading to further erosion of the city's judicial independence. Opponents of the bill feared it would put them at the mercy of Chinese courts, controlled by the Communist Party, which has a record of arbitrary detentions, torture, and other human rights violations.
The protests began with a sit-in at the government headquarters on 15 March 2019 and a demonstration attended by hundreds of thousands on 9 June 2019. On 12 June, protesters successfully stopped the Legislative Council from resuming the second reading of the bill by surrounding the LegCo Complex. Just one day after the Hong Kong government suspended the bill, a larger protest took place on 16 June to push for its complete withdrawal. The protest was also in response to the perceived excessive use of force by the Hong Kong Police Force on 12 June.
As the protests progressed, activists laid out five key demands. After months of protests, which often developed into violence, the bill was officially withdrawn. However, this failed to stop the unrest, as the protests had evolved into wider anger against the government and over allegations of police brutality.
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Frequently asked questions
Protesters occupied the Hong Kong International Airport, which is built on an artificial island.
The protests brought the airport to a standstill, with flights being rescheduled, delayed, or cancelled. The airport authority also suspended all checking-in for flights during the protest.
The protests were initially a response to a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed China to extradite people from Hong Kong. However, the movement evolved into a broader pro-democracy campaign, with protesters demanding universal suffrage and the protection of Hong Kong's freedoms as a special administrative region of China.
