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Overview
This protest flag reads 'Free Hong Kong/Revolution Now' in English and '光復香港/時代革命(often romanised as 'Gwongfuk Heung Gong/Si Doi Gaakming' in Cantonese) or 'Liberate Hong Kong/Revolution of our Times'.
It was flown at the 'Wellingtonians Stand with Hong Kong' rally held on the corner of Cuba Street and Left Bank on Sunday 1 December 2019 and similar flags were used by protesters in Auckland. Although ready-made versions were available for purchase and shipping from Hong Kong, this particular flag was painted by hand on left-over sofa delivery material by a supporter of the Hong Kong protests based in Wellington.
"In the streets of Hong Kong, every weekend, thousands of these flags fly up high. We can buy it but the shipping take a long time. So I painted it myself, it took me two week end to finish it." (Anonymous creator of flag).
Hong Kong protest movement and Aotearoa
The Hong Kong protests were originally incited by the proposed Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019. Also known as the Hong Kong Extradition Bill, the proposed legislation would have enabled Hong Kong residents to be extradited to mainland China to face trial. The protest movement subsequently evolved and continued through much of the first half of 2020, though the Extradition Bill was withdrawn in October 2019. On 30 June 2020, the Chinese legislature approved the controversial National Security Law, bypassing Hong Kong’s own elected legislative council. This law effectively outlawed activities perceived as dissenting or secessionist, including the possession of protest banners and flags carrying slogans associated with the protest movement such as ‘Free Hong Kong/Revolution of our Times’.
The Hong Kong protests have garnered significant international attention due to Hong Kong’s importance to the global economy and the political aspects of China’s increasing prominence as a global player. In Aotearoa New Zealand, the protests have prompted wide-ranging debates, including those relating to democracy and freedom of speech, New Zealand’s relationship to China and the government’s obligations to those connected to Hong Kong but based here, among them international students and temporary visa holders, as well as citizens and permanent residents with familial and cultural links to Hong Kong.