Ruth Haines
Protests in Hong Kong have disrupted flights and caused chaos at the airport, with pro-democracy demonstrators clashing with riot police. The protests were initially triggered by a controversial bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but they have since evolved into broader calls for democracy and autonomy. Protesters have employed various tactics, including blocking roads, occupying terminals, and distributing pamphlets to travellers explaining their motives and demands. The demonstrations have resulted in violent confrontations with police, who have used tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper pellets, while protesters have used dangerous tools and set up barricades. These protests reflect the growing tensions between Hong Kong and Beijing, with Beijing's influence over the semi-autonomous region raising concerns about the erosion of the one country, two systems framework.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 2019 |
| Location | Hong Kong International Airport |
| Protesters | Pro-democracy activists |
| Reason | Opposition to a controversial extradition bill, public anger towards police tactics, worsening inequality, and the cost of living |
| Impact | Disrupted flights, blocked roads, suspended train services, clashes with police |
| Response | Riot police deployed, airport authority secured an injunction to remove protesters |
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What You'll Learn
Protests against a controversial extradition bill
In 2019, pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong disrupted flights out of Hong Kong International Airport for two days, clashing with riot police. The protests were sparked by a controversial extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China, where the Communist Party controls the courts. The bill was seen as an attempt by Beijing to undermine Hong Kong's autonomy and to enable the prosecution of pro-democracy activists under the mainland's judicial system.
The protests at the airport were part of a broader pro-democracy movement that had been ongoing for 10 weeks at the time. Protesters occupied the terminal building, blocking roads and disrupting check-in operations. They wore black and face masks, chanting slogans such as "Stand with Hong Kong, fight for freedom" and "No rioters, only tyranny!". They also handed out pamphlets in multiple languages to explain their position to travellers.
The airport authority secured an injunction against the protesters occupying the terminal, but it was not immediately clear how this would be enforced. The protests caused the cancellation of numerous flights, and police clashed with protesters, firing tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper pellets. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Hong Kong's authorities to exercise restraint and investigate evidence of their forces firing tear gas at protesters in ways banned under international law.
The protests reflected a broader concern about Beijing's increasing influence over Hong Kong, including the jailing of activists, the disqualification of pro-democracy lawmakers, and the disappearance of independent booksellers. The demonstrations also highlighted the erosion of the "one country, two systems" framework that was supposed to guarantee Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy when it was returned to China in 1997.
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Hong Kong's airport operations disrupted
Hong Kong's airport operations were disrupted by pro-democracy protests in 2019. The protests were sparked by a controversial bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China, where the Communist Party controls the courts. The bill was seen as an attempt by Beijing to undermine the "'one country, two systems' framework that guarantees Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy.
Protesters occupied the terminal building, blocking roads and disrupting check-in operations and flight schedules. They wore black and face masks, chanted slogans, and handed out pamphlets in different languages to explain their position to travellers. While the protests were largely peaceful, there were some reports of violence and clashes with police. The airport authority secured an injunction against the protesters, but it was not immediately clear how it would be enforced.
The protests caused significant disruptions to airport operations, with flights cancelled and passengers unable to reach their departure gates. The airport serves as a major gateway to Asia, accommodating nearly 75 million passengers and handling over 5 million metric tons of cargo annually. The protesters aimed to intensify pressure on the government, which had refused to meet their demands.
On May 1, 2021, protests near the airport disrupted air travel once again. At least 26 flights from Hong Kong and 17 to the city were cancelled, and protesters set up barricades and fires on adjacent streets. Riot police arrived, and protesters left the area to avoid arrest.
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Police clash with protesters
In 2019, pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong disrupted flights out of the city for two consecutive days. The protests were sparked by a controversial bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China, where the Communist Party controls the courts. The demonstrations evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement, with protesters calling for the protection of the "'one country, two systems' arrangement that enshrines some autonomy for Hong Kong.
On the first day of protests, activists occupied the arrivals hall of Hong Kong International Airport, handing out pamphlets in various languages explaining their position. The airport halted flights, blaming demonstrators for the disruption. The following day, protesters moved to the departure area, causing further disruptions and leading to cancellations. Riot police clashed with protesters, and an injunction was secured against those occupying the terminal building.
The protests in Hong Kong have been met with a heavy-handed response from authorities. Police have fired tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper pellets at close range, resulting in injuries and hospitalizations. Undercover police officers dressed as protesters have also been used, angering demonstrators. China has condemned the protests, likening them to "sprouts of terrorism."
In 2021, protests near Hong Kong International Airport once again disrupted air travel. Protesters blocked roads leading to the airport and set up barricades on adjacent streets, some of which were set on fire. Riot police were deployed to the area, and protesters left to avoid arrest.
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Pro-democracy protests
The protests in Hong Kong were sparked by a controversial extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China, where the Communist Party controls the courts. The bill was seen as an attempt by Beijing to undermine the "one country, two systems" framework that guarantees Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy, including an independent judiciary and free press. The protests have since evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement, with demonstrators calling for the protection of their freedoms and a better environment for doing business.
Clashes between riot police and protesters have been reported, with police firing tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper pellets. Protesters have also been accused of using dangerous tools to attack the police and setting up barricades. The airport authority secured an injunction against the protesters occupying the terminal, but it is unclear how this will be enforced.
The protests have disrupted travel to and from Hong Kong, with train services to the airport being suspended and flights cancelled or delayed. Protesters have expressed apologies to affected travellers but maintain that their actions are necessary to fight for their freedoms and protect Hong Kong's system.
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Calls for citizenship for Hong Kong's former colony
Pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong have disrupted flights to and from the region's airport, with demonstrators calling for citizenship from the UK, Hong Kong's former colonial ruler. The protests were initially triggered by a controversial extradition bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but they have since evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement.
On September 1, 2019, train services to Hong Kong's airport were suspended as pro-democracy demonstrators gathered there. Protesters outside the British Consulate called on London to grant citizenship to people born in the former colony before its return to China in 1997.
Hong Kong was a British colony until July 1, 1997, when it was returned to China under the framework of "one country, two systems." This agreement was meant to guarantee Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy, an independent judiciary, a free press, and a market economy for 50 years after the handover. However, Beijing's influence over Hong Kong has grown in recent years, with activists being jailed, pro-democracy lawmakers disqualified, and independent booksellers disappearing only to reappear in mainland China facing charges.
In response to the protests, Britain has offered a path to citizenship for around 3 million people in Hong Kong, including those with British National (Overseas) status and their dependents. This offer was made after the UK government declared that China had broken the terms of the 1984 handover treaty by imposing a new security law. The new route to citizenship will allow eligible Hong Kong residents to live and work in the UK for five years, after which they can apply for ""settled status." After 12 months with settled status, they can apply for British citizenship. There will be no skills tests, minimum income requirements, economic needs tests, or caps on numbers.
The UK's offer of citizenship to Hong Kong residents has been influenced by the shared values of freedom and autonomy between the two regions, as well as the historical connection and the British Nationality Act of 1981, which granted Hong Kong residents British passports without the right of abode in the UK.
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Frequently asked questions
Protesters gathered at the airport to intensify pressure on the government, which had refused to meet their demands. The protests were triggered by a controversial bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but they have since evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement.
Protesters occupied the terminal building, disrupting flights and blocking travellers from reaching their departure gates. They also handed out pamphlets in different languages explaining their position. The protests led to clashes with riot police, who fired tear gas and rubber bullets.
The airport authority secured an injunction against those occupying the terminal building, and the airport reopened after two days of disruption. However, the protests continued, and there were further clashes between protesters and police.
