🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 51 (from laksa192)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa051.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/15/asia/hong-kong-protests-explainer-intl-hnk-scli\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/15/asia/hong-kong-protests-explainer-intl-hnk-scli\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/11\/15\/asia\/hong-kong-protests-explainer-intl-hnk-scli","crawl_time":1774969668,"first_indexed_time":1619380346,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,cnn!www,\/2019\/11\/15\/asia\/hong-kong-protests-explainer-intl-hnk-scli s443","src_root_hash":"2312100192101524051","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"The Hong Kong protests, explained | CNN","meta_descriptions":["The Hong Kong protests have dragged on for more than six months. Let’s break it down."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Video Ad Feedback\nHong Kong protesters armed with umbrellas take on police\n03:56\n• Source:\nCNN\nHong Kong protesters armed with umbrellas take on police\n03:56\nCNN\n — \nHong Kong has been rocked by\npro-democracy, anti-government protests\nfor more than six months now, with escalating violence and anger on all sides. What began as peaceful mass marches has exploded into the city’s biggest political crisis in modern times.\nIt’s also become a geopolitical mess with worldwide implications. Companies, brands, politicians and celebrities – even LeBron James – have been caught in the crossfire. Nobody is quite sure where the protests are headed, but there’s no clear end in sight.\nHere’s everything you need to know about the Hong Kong protests.\nThe protests began in June with one main objective – for the government to withdraw\na controversial bill\nthat would have allowed extradition of fugitives to mainland China. Critics worried Beijing could use the bill to prosecute people for political reasons\nunder China’s opaque legal system.\nUnlike other cities in China, which are tightly governed by the authoritarian central government,\nHong Kong is a semi-autonomous city with its own legal and political systems.\nProtesters feared the bill would allow China to encroach on these rare freedoms. As the stand-off with the government stretched on, peaceful mass marches increasingly descended into violent clashes with police – and the movement quickly grew to include five major demands:\nFully withdraw the extradition bill\nSet up an independent inquiry to probe police brutality\nWithdraw a characterization of early protests as “riots”\nRelease those arrested at protests\nImplement universal suffrage in Hong Kong\nThe broader demands reflect a long-standing call for full democracy, which Hong Kong does not have – its leader is chosen by a tiny election committee dominated by pro-establishment, pro-Beijing voters.\nBy the time Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam\nagreed to the first demand,\nwithdrawing the bill, it was too late to quell the movement’s momentum.\nThis began with peaceful marches. Now, two protesters have been shot with live rounds, a man was set on fire, and another man died after being hit with a\nbrick during clashes\n.\nLong-standing allegations of police neglect, as well as several violent incidents have added fuel to the fire and pushed the city further into chaos.\nOn July 21, a mob\nviolently attacked protesters\nin a subway station, injuring at least 45 people. Protesters accuse the police of inaction during the attack, and many saw this as a sign that the police force couldn’t be trusted to protect the people.\nProtesters have also become more extreme in their vandalism, setting fires in subway stations and smashing shop windows – drawing\ncriticism of senseless destruction\nfrom those who oppose the movement, and even some supporters.\nRampant misinformation and conspiracy theories\nonline have also added to the polarization and widespread sense of fear. Violent confrontations have taken place during some protests, and people accused of being “infiltrators” have been savagely beaten.\nHong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam did\npublicly apologize\nearly on in the summer, saying the unrest was “caused by the deficiencies of the (Hong Kong) government.”\nBut since then, she and other official bodies have taken a harder line. Nearly every week, the police condemn “rioters,” and call for law and order.\nLam warned\nthat the protests were bringing Hong Kong “to the brink of no return,” and that the government would not concede to protesters’ demands.\n“If there is any wishful thinking that by escalating violence the (Hong Kong) government will yield to pressure to satisfy protesters’ so-called demands, I’m making this clear that will not happen,” she said.\nHong Kong’s relationship with mainland China is a key element in untangling this mess. Hong Kong was a British territory until it was\nhanded over to Chinese control\nin 1997 – but the handover agreement gave the city protected special freedoms\nof press, speech, and assembly for at least 50 years.\nThese freedoms stand in stark contrast to China’s strict censorship and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s tight grip on power, which have seen dissidents\njailed\nand interrogated in\nsecret prisons.\nThis is what we mean when we say Hong Kong is semi-autonomous. The city is part of China – but it has its own currency, language, legal system, identity and culture. This model of governance is called\n“one country, two systems\n.” And this is why protesters here are desperate to protect their freedoms – because they fear becoming just another Chinese city under Xi’s rule.\nNow, young protesters say China’s encroachment on Hong Kong’s autonomy is a violation of the “two systems” agreement. Many want to achieve\nfull democracy before 2047\n, the pre-handover agreed date when Hong Kong could in theory become fully integrated with China. Some are even calling for full independence from the mainland.\nThis strong anti-China sentiment is why protesters have targeted Chinese-owned businesses – for instance, they smashed the ATMs at Bank of China locations. They have also boycotted restaurants that expressed pro-China stances.\nBeijing has taken a firm rhetorical stance, saying the protests “\nshowed signs of terrorism\n.” Xi has demanded an end to the violence, saying the “radical” protests had trampled the city’s rule of law and that “stopping the violence and restoring order” was Hong Kong’s most “urgent task.”\nHe has also praised the city’s police force and Lam’s leadership “in severely punishing the violent criminals in accordance with the law.” These comments appear to dispel rumors that Beijing was looking to replace Lam, instead\nsending a clear message\n– Lam is here to stay.\nThe central Chinese government hasn’t done much in terms of actual action, largely letting Hong Kong leaders deal with the crisis – but the threat of Chinese military intervention has hung over the movement for months.\nThe Chinese military has a presence in Hong Kong – about 6,000 People’s Liberation Army soldiers are housed in barracks in the city. In August, the garrison commander warned that violence by protesters “should not be tolerated,” raising concerns that Beijing could use the troops to crack down on protests.\nHowever, it is not clear if Beijing has a red line, and what it would take for protesters to cross it before provoking a Chinese military response.\nYes, but not like this. During the\n2014 Umbrella Revolution\n, protesters occupied the city’s financial center, demanding democratic electoral reform and protesting against increasing Chinese influence – but the scale and severity are different this time around.\nThe Umbrella Revolution lasted 79 days, or a little over two and a half months. The ongoing protests have now passed the six month mark. The Umbrella Revolution saw police deploy pepper spray. Now, people are facing lethal force – a protester shot by police and the man set on fire are both in critical condition at the hospital.\nThe roots of the current unrest can be\ntraced back to that summer\nfive years ago, both in the radicalizing effect it had on a whole generation of young Hong Kongers and in the government’s failure to take action. The protest movement finally collapsed in December 2014, but the underlying frustrations continued simmering – until they finally exploded this June.\nFive months of violence and vandalism have caused the city’s economy to tank, and Hong Kong officially entered\na recession in October.\nRetail and tourism numbers are plunging, small businesses have been forced to close, and people are losing their jobs – especially in the tourism and food sectors, where the unemployment rate has\nrisen by 5%.\nThe government has\nimplemented measures\nto support the impacted businesses, including slashing rents at properties they lease out.\nThe economic downturn could eventually recover – but the social divide and protesters’ mistrust in the government could take much longer to heal, if possible at all.\nVideo Ad Feedback\nHong Kong falls into recession after a decade\n03:19\n• Source:\nCNN\nHong Kong falls into recession after a decade\n03:19\nHong Kong is a global financial hub – so a hit to its economy affects business worldwide as well. Experts warned early on that if the unrest continues, international companies could look to pull out of Hong Kong and relocate their branches elsewhere.\nThere has been no substantive indication that Beijing is planning to deploy troops, but as fear of PLA intervention has spread throughout the city, experts have warned that such a crackdown could be disastrous for Hong Kong. The stock market would likely crash, followed by the housing market. A mass exodus could follow, and other countries could see migrants incoming from Hong Kong. Many Hong Kongers hold foreign passports, a legacy of 1997, and it is easy for them to move overseas.\nOn a more abstract level, some people have framed the unrest as a tug-of-war between Chinese authoritarianism and the Western ideals of freedom and democracy. This narrative oversimplifies some of the nuances at play – but it’s also perhaps why the movement has gained traction in the US, where\nTrump signed an act\nin support of the protests after it was passed almost unanimously by both houses of Congress.\nMany brands and companies have gotten caught in the middle. Those who sympathize with the protesters face Chinese fury and financial backlash; those who try to placate China draw accusations of cowardice from protest supporters, both in Hong Kong and internationally.\nFor example, an NBA team general manager tweeted in support of the protests. The NBA apologized,\ndrawing intense domestic criticism\nfor appearing to bow to Chinese pressure – then it reaffirmed its support for freedom of expression, incensing China and losing valuable Chinese partnerships. Basketball stars like\nLeBron James\nand\nShaquille O’Neal\nhave also spoken out about the issue.\nMeanwhile, television show “South Park” satirized Hollywood’s sensitivity to Chinese government censors – then, the show creators\nexplicitly called out\nthe NBA in a mock “apology” afterward.\nBrands like\nVans\n,\nNike\n,\nVersace\n,\nCoach, and Givenchy\nhave also come under fire for offending either China or the protesters.\nThe reality is, it’s unclear. The protests look to be growing smaller – at least, compared to the marches in June that drew hundreds of thousands of people – but\nthe lack of a major mass march is also partly due to government restrictions on transport and police refusing approval for such an event.\nThe local district council elections\nin November showed just how widespread support for the movement still is. Pro-democracy candidates won a landslide victory, taking nearly 90% of the seats up for grabs. It was the highest election turnout in Hong Kong’s history, and delivered a stinging rebuke to the government.\nDistrict councillors don’t hold much actual power, mainly focusing on local issues – but pro-democrats now have more of a say in selecting the next Chief Executive in 2022.\nMeanwhile, police have arrested over 6,100 people and formally charged nearly 1,000 since June 9, when the protests began. The youngest arrested so far is 11 years old.\nWith both the protesters and the government unwilling to give ground, it’s uncertain how or when the conflict can end. For now, residents are bracing for further economic loss, and some have\nalready decided to leave\n.","attrs_markdown":"Thank You\\!\n\nYour effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.\n\nClose\n\nAd Feedback\n\n[World](https:\/\/cnn.com\/world)\n\n[Africa](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/africa)\n\n[Americas](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/americas)\n\n[Asia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/asia)\n\n[Australia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/australia)\n\n[China](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/china)\n\n[Europe](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/europe)\n\n[India](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/india)\n\n[Middle East](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/middle-east)\n\n[United Kingdom](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/united-kingdom)\n\n[More]()\n\n[Africa](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/africa)   [Americas](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/americas)   [Asia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/asia)   [Australia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/australia)   [China](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/china)   [Europe](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/europe)   [India](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/india)   [Middle East](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/middle-east)   [United Kingdom](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/united-kingdom)\n\n[Watch](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/watch)   [Listen](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio)\n\nSubscribe\n\nSign in\n\nMy Account\n\n- [Settings](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/account\/settings)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters)\n- [Topics you follow](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/follow?iid=fw_var-nav)\n- [Sign out](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/11\/15\/asia\/hong-kong-protests-explainer-intl-hnk-scli)\n\nYour CNN account Sign in to your CNN account\n***\nSign in\n\nMy Account\n\n- [Settings](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/account\/settings)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters)\n- [Topics you follow](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/follow?iid=fw_var-nav)\n- [Sign out](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/11\/15\/asia\/hong-kong-protests-explainer-intl-hnk-scli)\n\nYour CNN account Sign in to your CNN account\n***\n[Listen](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio)   [Watch](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/watch)\n***\nEdition\n\n[US](https:\/\/us.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n\n[International](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n\n[Arabic](https:\/\/arabic.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n\n[Español](https:\/\/cnnespanol.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n\nEdition\n\n- [US](https:\/\/us.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n- [International](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n- [Arabic](https:\/\/arabic.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n- [Español](https:\/\/cnnespanol.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n***\n[Africa](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/africa)\n\n[Americas](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/americas)\n\n[Asia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/asia)\n\n[Australia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/australia)\n\n[China](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/china)\n\n[Europe](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/europe)\n\n[India](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/india)\n\n[Middle East](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/middle-east)\n\n[United Kingdom](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/united-kingdom)\n***\nFollow CNN\n\nDownload the CNN App\n***\n\n- [US](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us)\n  - 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[Subscribe](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/subscription?source=sub_web_footersubnav-link)\n  - [Photos](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/photos)\n  - [Investigations](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/cnn-investigates)\n  - [CNN Profiles](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/profiles)\n  - [CNN Leadership](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/profiles\/cnn-leadership)\n  - [CNN Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters)\n  - [Work for CNN](https:\/\/careers.wbd.com\/cnnjobs)\n***\nDownload the CNN App\n\n# From an extradition bill to a political crisis: A guide to the Hong Kong protests\n[![Jessie Yeung](https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/150820163747-profile-background-stock-no-photo.jpg?c=16x9&q=h_270,w_480,c_fill\/c_thumb,g_face,w_100,h_100)](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/profiles\/jessie-yeung)\n\nBy [Jessie Yeung](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/profiles\/jessie-yeung), CNN\n\n8 min read\n\nUpdated 4:08 AM EST, Fri December 20, 2019\n\nLink Copied\\!\n\n![A policeman in riot gear points his weapon as protesters try to flee from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong, Monday, Nov. 18, 2019. Hong Kong police have swooped in with tear gas and batons as protesters who have taken over the university campus make an apparent last-ditch effort to escape arrest. (AP Photo\/Ng Han Guan)](https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/191118113803-12-hong-kong-1118.jpg?q=x_3,y_311,h_1684,w_2993,c_crop\/w_1280)\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nHong Kong protesters armed with umbrellas take on police\n\n03:56   • Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\nHong Kong protesters armed with umbrellas take on police\n\n03:56\n\nCNN\n\n—\n\nHong Kong has been rocked by [pro-democracy, anti-government protests](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/specials\/asia\/hong-kong-protests-intl-hnk) for more than six months now, with escalating violence and anger on all sides. What began as peaceful mass marches has exploded into the city’s biggest political crisis in modern times.\n\nIt’s also become a geopolitical mess with worldwide implications. Companies, brands, politicians and celebrities – even LeBron James – have been caught in the crossfire. Nobody is quite sure where the protests are headed, but there’s no clear end in sight.\n\nHere’s everything you need to know about the Hong Kong protests.\n\n## Why are people protesting?\nThe protests began in June with one main objective – for the government to withdraw [a controversial bill](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/asia\/live-news\/hong-kong-july-1-protests-intl-hnk\/h_292b4752c6197e53d4c0718c99046d48) that would have allowed extradition of fugitives to mainland China. Critics worried Beijing could use the bill to prosecute people for political reasonsunder China’s opaque legal system.\n\nUnlike other cities in China, which are tightly governed by the authoritarian central government,Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous city with its own legal and political systems.\n\nProtesters feared the bill would allow China to encroach on these rare freedoms. As the stand-off with the government stretched on, peaceful mass marches increasingly descended into violent clashes with police – and the movement quickly grew to include five major demands:\n\n- Fully withdraw the extradition bill\n- Set up an independent inquiry to probe police brutality\n- Withdraw a characterization of early protests as “riots”\n- Release those arrested at protests\n- Implement universal suffrage in Hong Kong\n\nThe broader demands reflect a long-standing call for full democracy, which Hong Kong does not have – its leader is chosen by a tiny election committee dominated by pro-establishment, pro-Beijing voters.\n\nBy the time Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam [agreed to the first demand,](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/09\/04\/asia\/hong-kong-carrie-lam-extradition-bill-intl-hnk\/index.html) withdrawing the bill, it was too late to quell the movement’s momentum.\n\n## How did this spin out of control?\nThis began with peaceful marches. Now, two protesters have been shot with live rounds, a man was set on fire, and another man died after being hit with a [brick during clashes](http:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/11\/14\/asia\/hong-kong-protest-elderly-man-dies-intl-hnk\/index.html).\n\nLong-standing allegations of police neglect, as well as several violent incidents have added fuel to the fire and pushed the city further into chaos.\n\nOn July 21, a mob [violently attacked protesters](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/07\/21\/asia\/hong-kong-protest-july-21-intl-hnk\/index.html) in a subway station, injuring at least 45 people. Protesters accuse the police of inaction during the attack, and many saw this as a sign that the police force couldn’t be trusted to protect the people.\n\nProtesters have also become more extreme in their vandalism, setting fires in subway stations and smashing shop windows – drawing [criticism of senseless destruction](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/26\/asia\/hong-kong-destruction-support-intl-hnk\/index.html) from those who oppose the movement, and even some supporters.\n\n[Rampant misinformation and conspiracy theories](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/08\/11\/asia\/hong-kong-fake-news-intl-hnk\/index.html) online have also added to the polarization and widespread sense of fear. Violent confrontations have taken place during some protests, and people accused of being “infiltrators” have been savagely beaten.\n\n## What has the government said?\nHong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam did [publicly apologize](https:\/\/cnn.com\/2019\/06\/18\/asia\/hong-kong-protests-extradition-carrie-lam-intl-hnk\/index.html) early on in the summer, saying the unrest was “caused by the deficiencies of the (Hong Kong) government.”\n\nBut since then, she and other official bodies have taken a harder line. Nearly every week, the police condemn “rioters,” and call for law and order. [Lam warned](https:\/\/cnn.com\/2019\/11\/10\/asia\/hong-kong-protester-shot-intl-hnk\/index.html) that the protests were bringing Hong Kong “to the brink of no return,” and that the government would not concede to protesters’ demands.\n\n“If there is any wishful thinking that by escalating violence the (Hong Kong) government will yield to pressure to satisfy protesters’ so-called demands, I’m making this clear that will not happen,” she said.\n\n## What is China’s role in all this?\nHong Kong’s relationship with mainland China is a key element in untangling this mess. Hong Kong was a British territory until it was [handed over to Chinese control](https:\/\/cnn.com\/specials\/asia\/hong-kong-handover) in 1997 – but the handover agreement gave the city protected special freedomsof press, speech, and assembly for at least 50 years.\n\nThese freedoms stand in stark contrast to China’s strict censorship and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s tight grip on power, which have seen dissidents [jailed](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/07\/11\/asia\/qin-yongmin-china-intl\/index.html) and interrogated in [secret prisons.](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2017\/11\/23\/asia\/china-lawyers-disappeared\/index.html)\n\nThis is what we mean when we say Hong Kong is semi-autonomous. The city is part of China – but it has its own currency, language, legal system, identity and culture. This model of governance is called [“one country, two systems](https:\/\/cnn.com\/2019\/07\/01\/asia\/hong-kong-china-protests-different-trnd\/index.html).” And this is why protesters here are desperate to protect their freedoms – because they fear becoming just another Chinese city under Xi’s rule.\n\nNow, young protesters say China’s encroachment on Hong Kong’s autonomy is a violation of the “two systems” agreement. Many want to achieve [full democracy before 2047](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/07\/25\/asia\/hong-kong-china-2047-protests-intl-hnk\/index.html), the pre-handover agreed date when Hong Kong could in theory become fully integrated with China. Some are even calling for full independence from the mainland.\n\nThis strong anti-China sentiment is why protesters have targeted Chinese-owned businesses – for instance, they smashed the ATMs at Bank of China locations. They have also boycotted restaurants that expressed pro-China stances.\n\n![Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam in Shanghai on November 4, 2019.](https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/191105103934-carrie-lam-xi-jinping-1104-01.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill)\n\nChinese President Xi Jinping and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam in Shanghai on November 4, 2019.\n\nJu Peng\/AP\n## What has China said?\nBeijing has taken a firm rhetorical stance, saying the protests “[showed signs of terrorism](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/08\/13\/asia\/china-hong-kong-terrorism-intl-hnk\/index.html).” Xi has demanded an end to the violence, saying the “radical” protests had trampled the city’s rule of law and that “stopping the violence and restoring order” was Hong Kong’s most “urgent task.”\n\nHe has also praised the city’s police force and Lam’s leadership “in severely punishing the violent criminals in accordance with the law.” These comments appear to dispel rumors that Beijing was looking to replace Lam, instead [sending a clear message](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/11\/05\/asia\/hong-kong-carrie-lam-xi-jinping-intl-hnk\/index.html) – Lam is here to stay.\n\nThe central Chinese government hasn’t done much in terms of actual action, largely letting Hong Kong leaders deal with the crisis – but the threat of Chinese military intervention has hung over the movement for months.\n\nThe Chinese military has a presence in Hong Kong – about 6,000 People’s Liberation Army soldiers are housed in barracks in the city. In August, the garrison commander warned that violence by protesters “should not be tolerated,” raising concerns that Beijing could use the troops to crack down on protests.\n\nHowever, it is not clear if Beijing has a red line, and what it would take for protesters to cross it before provoking a Chinese military response.\n\n## Didn’t Hong Kong protest in 2014, too?\nYes, but not like this. During the [2014 Umbrella Revolution](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2014\/09\/27\/world\/asia\/hong-kong-five-things\/index.html), protesters occupied the city’s financial center, demanding democratic electoral reform and protesting against increasing Chinese influence – but the scale and severity are different this time around.\n\nThe Umbrella Revolution lasted 79 days, or a little over two and a half months. The ongoing protests have now passed the six month mark. The Umbrella Revolution saw police deploy pepper spray. Now, people are facing lethal force – a protester shot by police and the man set on fire are both in critical condition at the hospital.\n\nThe roots of the current unrest can be [traced back to that summer](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/08\/26\/asia\/hong-kong-protests-umbrella-intl-hnk\/index.html) five years ago, both in the radicalizing effect it had on a whole generation of young Hong Kongers and in the government’s failure to take action. The protest movement finally collapsed in December 2014, but the underlying frustrations continued simmering – until they finally exploded this June.\n\n![A pro-democracy activist holds a yellow umbrella in front of a police line on November 25, 2014 in Hong Kong. ](https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/141126155032-defining-moments-hong-kong-protest.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill)\n\nA pro-democracy activist holds a yellow umbrella in front of a police line on November 25, 2014 in Hong Kong.\n\nChris McGrath\/Getty Images\n## How have the protests impacted Hong Kong?\nFive months of violence and vandalism have caused the city’s economy to tank, and Hong Kong officially entered [a recession in October.](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/31\/business\/hong-kong-economy\/index.html)\n\nRetail and tourism numbers are plunging, small businesses have been forced to close, and people are losing their jobs – especially in the tourism and food sectors, where the unemployment rate has [risen by 5%.](https:\/\/www.fso.gov.hk\/eng\/blog\/blog171119.htm)\n\nThe government has [implemented measures](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/08\/15\/economy\/hong-kong-economy-stimulus\/index.html) to support the impacted businesses, including slashing rents at properties they lease out.\n\nThe economic downturn could eventually recover – but the social divide and protesters’ mistrust in the government could take much longer to heal, if possible at all.\n\n![TO GO WITH HongKong-housing-social-rooftop,FEATURE by Laura MANNERING This photograph taken on October 10, 2013 shows the residential building (bottom C) upon which residents Su Xingyun and Quang Xuan live in their rooftop houses in the Sham Shui Po district of Hong Kong. Their precarious rooftop houses have for years offered refuge from an unaffordable Hong Kong property market, but some of the city's poorest residents now face losing their makeshift homes as the government seeks to dismantle them. AFP PHOTO \/ ANTHONY WALLACE (Photo credit should read ANTHONY WALLACE\/AFP\/Getty Images)](https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/190816150817-hong-kong-sham-shui-po-01.jpg?q=x_4,y_8,h_2325,w_4133,c_crop\/w_1280)\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nHong Kong falls into recession after a decade\n\n03:19   • Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\nHong Kong falls into recession after a decade\n\n03:19\n## How does this affect the rest of the world?\nHong Kong is a global financial hub – so a hit to its economy affects business worldwide as well. Experts warned early on that if the unrest continues, international companies could look to pull out of Hong Kong and relocate their branches elsewhere.\n\nThere has been no substantive indication that Beijing is planning to deploy troops, but as fear of PLA intervention has spread throughout the city, experts have warned that such a crackdown could be disastrous for Hong Kong. The stock market would likely crash, followed by the housing market. A mass exodus could follow, and other countries could see migrants incoming from Hong Kong. Many Hong Kongers hold foreign passports, a legacy of 1997, and it is easy for them to move overseas.\n\nOn a more abstract level, some people have framed the unrest as a tug-of-war between Chinese authoritarianism and the Western ideals of freedom and democracy. This narrative oversimplifies some of the nuances at play – but it’s also perhaps why the movement has gained traction in the US, where [Trump signed an act](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/11\/28\/asia\/hong-kong-reaction-trump-legislation-intl-hnk\/index.html) in support of the protests after it was passed almost unanimously by both houses of Congress.\n\n## Why are people talking about the NBA? South Park? Versace?\nMany brands and companies have gotten caught in the middle. Those who sympathize with the protesters face Chinese fury and financial backlash; those who try to placate China draw accusations of cowardice from protest supporters, both in Hong Kong and internationally.\n\n[![BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 09: The NBA flagship retail store is seen on October 9, 2019 in Beijing, China. The NBA is trying to salvage its brand in China amid criticism of its handling of a controversial tweet that infuriated the government and has jeopardized the league's Chinese expansion. The crisis, triggered by a Houston Rockets executives tweet that praised protests in Hong Kong, prompted the Chinese Basketball Association to suspend its partnership with the league. The backlash continued with state-owned television CCTV scrapping its plans to broadcast pre-season games in Shanghai and Shenzhen, and the cancellation of other promotional fan events. The league issued an apology, though NBA Commissioner Adam Silver angered Chinese officials further when he defended the right of players and team executives to free speech. China represents a lucrative market for the NBA, which stands to lose millions of dollars in revenue and threatens to alienate Chinese fans. Many have taken to China's social media platforms to express their outrage and disappointment that the NBA would question the country's sovereignty over Hong Kong which has been mired in anti-government protests since June. (Photo by Kevin Frayer\/Getty Images)](https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/191009105509-nba-flagship-store-beijing-china.jpg?q=x_3,y_48,h_1397,w_2482,c_crop\/h_144,w_256) BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 09: The NBA flagship retail store is seen on October 9, 2019 in Beijing, China. The NBA is trying to salvage its brand in China amid criticism of its handling of a controversial tweet that infuriated the government and has jeopardized the league's Chinese expansion. The crisis, triggered by a Houston Rockets executives tweet that praised protests in Hong Kong, prompted the Chinese Basketball Association to suspend its partnership with the league. The backlash continued with state-owned television CCTV scrapping its plans to broadcast pre-season games in Shanghai and Shenzhen, and the cancellation of other promotional fan events. The league issued an apology, though NBA Commissioner Adam Silver angered Chinese officials further when he defended the right of players and team executives to free speech. China represents a lucrative market for the NBA, which stands to lose millions of dollars in revenue and threatens to alienate Chinese fans. Many have taken to China's social media platforms to express their outrage and disappointment that the NBA would question the country's sovereignty over Hong Kong which has been mired in anti-government protests since June. (Photo by Kevin Frayer\/Getty Images) Kevin Frayer\/Getty Images Related article How one tweet snowballed into the NBA's worst nightmare](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/09\/business\/nba-china-hong-kong-explainer\/index.html)\n\nFor example, an NBA team general manager tweeted in support of the protests. The NBA apologized, [drawing intense domestic criticism](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/09\/business\/nba-china-hong-kong-explainer\/index.html) for appearing to bow to Chinese pressure – then it reaffirmed its support for freedom of expression, incensing China and losing valuable Chinese partnerships. Basketball stars like [LeBron James](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/14\/us\/lebron-james-nba-china-intl-hnk-scli\/index.html) and [Shaquille O’Neal](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/23\/us\/shaquille-oneal-nba-china-intl-hnk-scli\/index.html) have also spoken out about the issue.\n\nMeanwhile, television show “South Park” satirized Hollywood’s sensitivity to Chinese government censors – then, the show creators [explicitly called out](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/07\/us\/south-park-apology-chinese-internet-trnd\/index.html) the NBA in a mock “apology” afterward.\n\nBrands like [Vans](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/style\/article\/vans-hong-kong-intl-hnk-scli\/index.html), [Nike](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/06\/27\/business\/nike-china-japan-hong-kong\/index.html), [Versace](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/style\/article\/versace-loses-yang-mi-hong-kong-protest-t-shirt-intl-scli\/index.html), [Coach, and Givenchy](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/style\/article\/coach-givenchy-versace-t-shirt-controversy\/index.html) have also come under fire for offending either China or the protesters.\n\n## What’s next?\nThe reality is, it’s unclear. The protests look to be growing smaller – at least, compared to the marches in June that drew hundreds of thousands of people – butthe lack of a major mass march is also partly due to government restrictions on transport and police refusing approval for such an event.\n\n[The local district council elections](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/11\/25\/asia\/hong-kong-district-council-elections-protests-intl-hnk\/index.html) in November showed just how widespread support for the movement still is. Pro-democracy candidates won a landslide victory, taking nearly 90% of the seats up for grabs. It was the highest election turnout in Hong Kong’s history, and delivered a stinging rebuke to the government.\n\nDistrict councillors don’t hold much actual power, mainly focusing on local issues – but pro-democrats now have more of a say in selecting the next Chief Executive in 2022.\n\nMeanwhile, police have arrested over 6,100 people and formally charged nearly 1,000 since June 9, when the protests began. The youngest arrested so far is 11 years old.\n\nWith both the protesters and the government unwilling to give ground, it’s uncertain how or when the conflict can end. For now, residents are bracing for further economic loss, and some have [already decided to leave](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/08\/asia\/hong-kong-protest-migration-intl-hnk\/index.html).\n\nAd Feedback\n\nAd Feedback\n\nAd Feedback\n\nAd Feedback\n\nAd Feedback\n\nSubscribe\n***\nSign in\n\nMy Account\n\n- [Settings](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/account\/settings)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters)\n- [Topics you follow](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/follow?iid=fw_var-nav)\n- [Sign out](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/11\/15\/asia\/hong-kong-protests-explainer-intl-hnk-scli)\n\nYour CNN account Sign in to your CNN account\n***\n[Listen](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio)   [Watch](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/watch)\n***\n- [US](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us)\n  - [Crime & Justice](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/crime-and-justice)\n  - [Immigration](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/immigration)\n  - [Education](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/education)\n  - [Transportation](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/transportation)\n  - 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A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.   \n CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.\n\n## Download the CNN app\nScan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play.\n\n![Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/google-play-cnn-app-qr-code.png)\n\n## Download the CNN app\nScan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.\n\n![Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/app-store-cnn-app-qr-code.png)","attrs_readable_markdown":"![A policeman in riot gear points his weapon as protesters try to flee from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong, Monday, Nov. 18, 2019. Hong Kong police have swooped in with tear gas and batons as protesters who have taken over the university campus make an apparent last-ditch effort to escape arrest. (AP Photo\/Ng Han Guan)](https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/191118113803-12-hong-kong-1118.jpg?q=x_3,y_311,h_1684,w_2993,c_crop\/w_1280)\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nHong Kong protesters armed with umbrellas take on police\n\n03:56   • Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\nHong Kong protesters armed with umbrellas take on police\n\n03:56\n\nCNN —\n\nHong Kong has been rocked by [pro-democracy, anti-government protests](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/specials\/asia\/hong-kong-protests-intl-hnk) for more than six months now, with escalating violence and anger on all sides. What began as peaceful mass marches has exploded into the city’s biggest political crisis in modern times.\n\nIt’s also become a geopolitical mess with worldwide implications. Companies, brands, politicians and celebrities – even LeBron James – have been caught in the crossfire. Nobody is quite sure where the protests are headed, but there’s no clear end in sight.\n\nHere’s everything you need to know about the Hong Kong protests.\n\nThe protests began in June with one main objective – for the government to withdraw [a controversial bill](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/asia\/live-news\/hong-kong-july-1-protests-intl-hnk\/h_292b4752c6197e53d4c0718c99046d48) that would have allowed extradition of fugitives to mainland China. Critics worried Beijing could use the bill to prosecute people for political reasonsunder China’s opaque legal system.\n\nUnlike other cities in China, which are tightly governed by the authoritarian central government,Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous city with its own legal and political systems.\n\nProtesters feared the bill would allow China to encroach on these rare freedoms. As the stand-off with the government stretched on, peaceful mass marches increasingly descended into violent clashes with police – and the movement quickly grew to include five major demands:\n\n- Fully withdraw the extradition bill\n- Set up an independent inquiry to probe police brutality\n- Withdraw a characterization of early protests as “riots”\n- Release those arrested at protests\n- Implement universal suffrage in Hong Kong\n\nThe broader demands reflect a long-standing call for full democracy, which Hong Kong does not have – its leader is chosen by a tiny election committee dominated by pro-establishment, pro-Beijing voters.\n\nBy the time Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam [agreed to the first demand,](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/09\/04\/asia\/hong-kong-carrie-lam-extradition-bill-intl-hnk\/index.html) withdrawing the bill, it was too late to quell the movement’s momentum.\n\nThis began with peaceful marches. Now, two protesters have been shot with live rounds, a man was set on fire, and another man died after being hit with a [brick during clashes](http:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/11\/14\/asia\/hong-kong-protest-elderly-man-dies-intl-hnk\/index.html).\n\nLong-standing allegations of police neglect, as well as several violent incidents have added fuel to the fire and pushed the city further into chaos.\n\nOn July 21, a mob [violently attacked protesters](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/07\/21\/asia\/hong-kong-protest-july-21-intl-hnk\/index.html) in a subway station, injuring at least 45 people. Protesters accuse the police of inaction during the attack, and many saw this as a sign that the police force couldn’t be trusted to protect the people.\n\nProtesters have also become more extreme in their vandalism, setting fires in subway stations and smashing shop windows – drawing [criticism of senseless destruction](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/26\/asia\/hong-kong-destruction-support-intl-hnk\/index.html) from those who oppose the movement, and even some supporters.\n\n[Rampant misinformation and conspiracy theories](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/08\/11\/asia\/hong-kong-fake-news-intl-hnk\/index.html) online have also added to the polarization and widespread sense of fear. Violent confrontations have taken place during some protests, and people accused of being “infiltrators” have been savagely beaten.\n\nHong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam did [publicly apologize](https:\/\/cnn.com\/2019\/06\/18\/asia\/hong-kong-protests-extradition-carrie-lam-intl-hnk\/index.html) early on in the summer, saying the unrest was “caused by the deficiencies of the (Hong Kong) government.”\n\nBut since then, she and other official bodies have taken a harder line. Nearly every week, the police condemn “rioters,” and call for law and order. [Lam warned](https:\/\/cnn.com\/2019\/11\/10\/asia\/hong-kong-protester-shot-intl-hnk\/index.html) that the protests were bringing Hong Kong “to the brink of no return,” and that the government would not concede to protesters’ demands.\n\n“If there is any wishful thinking that by escalating violence the (Hong Kong) government will yield to pressure to satisfy protesters’ so-called demands, I’m making this clear that will not happen,” she said.\n\nHong Kong’s relationship with mainland China is a key element in untangling this mess. Hong Kong was a British territory until it was [handed over to Chinese control](https:\/\/cnn.com\/specials\/asia\/hong-kong-handover) in 1997 – but the handover agreement gave the city protected special freedomsof press, speech, and assembly for at least 50 years.\n\nThese freedoms stand in stark contrast to China’s strict censorship and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s tight grip on power, which have seen dissidents [jailed](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/07\/11\/asia\/qin-yongmin-china-intl\/index.html) and interrogated in [secret prisons.](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2017\/11\/23\/asia\/china-lawyers-disappeared\/index.html)\n\nThis is what we mean when we say Hong Kong is semi-autonomous. The city is part of China – but it has its own currency, language, legal system, identity and culture. This model of governance is called [“one country, two systems](https:\/\/cnn.com\/2019\/07\/01\/asia\/hong-kong-china-protests-different-trnd\/index.html).” And this is why protesters here are desperate to protect their freedoms – because they fear becoming just another Chinese city under Xi’s rule.\n\nNow, young protesters say China’s encroachment on Hong Kong’s autonomy is a violation of the “two systems” agreement. Many want to achieve [full democracy before 2047](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/07\/25\/asia\/hong-kong-china-2047-protests-intl-hnk\/index.html), the pre-handover agreed date when Hong Kong could in theory become fully integrated with China. Some are even calling for full independence from the mainland.\n\nThis strong anti-China sentiment is why protesters have targeted Chinese-owned businesses – for instance, they smashed the ATMs at Bank of China locations. They have also boycotted restaurants that expressed pro-China stances.\n\n![Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam in Shanghai on November 4, 2019.](https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/191105103934-carrie-lam-xi-jinping-1104-01.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill)\n\nBeijing has taken a firm rhetorical stance, saying the protests “[showed signs of terrorism](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/08\/13\/asia\/china-hong-kong-terrorism-intl-hnk\/index.html).” Xi has demanded an end to the violence, saying the “radical” protests had trampled the city’s rule of law and that “stopping the violence and restoring order” was Hong Kong’s most “urgent task.”\n\nHe has also praised the city’s police force and Lam’s leadership “in severely punishing the violent criminals in accordance with the law.” These comments appear to dispel rumors that Beijing was looking to replace Lam, instead [sending a clear message](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/11\/05\/asia\/hong-kong-carrie-lam-xi-jinping-intl-hnk\/index.html) – Lam is here to stay.\n\nThe central Chinese government hasn’t done much in terms of actual action, largely letting Hong Kong leaders deal with the crisis – but the threat of Chinese military intervention has hung over the movement for months.\n\nThe Chinese military has a presence in Hong Kong – about 6,000 People’s Liberation Army soldiers are housed in barracks in the city. In August, the garrison commander warned that violence by protesters “should not be tolerated,” raising concerns that Beijing could use the troops to crack down on protests.\n\nHowever, it is not clear if Beijing has a red line, and what it would take for protesters to cross it before provoking a Chinese military response.\n\nYes, but not like this. During the [2014 Umbrella Revolution](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2014\/09\/27\/world\/asia\/hong-kong-five-things\/index.html), protesters occupied the city’s financial center, demanding democratic electoral reform and protesting against increasing Chinese influence – but the scale and severity are different this time around.\n\nThe Umbrella Revolution lasted 79 days, or a little over two and a half months. The ongoing protests have now passed the six month mark. The Umbrella Revolution saw police deploy pepper spray. Now, people are facing lethal force – a protester shot by police and the man set on fire are both in critical condition at the hospital.\n\nThe roots of the current unrest can be [traced back to that summer](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/08\/26\/asia\/hong-kong-protests-umbrella-intl-hnk\/index.html) five years ago, both in the radicalizing effect it had on a whole generation of young Hong Kongers and in the government’s failure to take action. The protest movement finally collapsed in December 2014, but the underlying frustrations continued simmering – until they finally exploded this June.\n\n![A pro-democracy activist holds a yellow umbrella in front of a police line on November 25, 2014 in Hong Kong. ](https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/141126155032-defining-moments-hong-kong-protest.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill)\n\nFive months of violence and vandalism have caused the city’s economy to tank, and Hong Kong officially entered [a recession in October.](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/31\/business\/hong-kong-economy\/index.html)\n\nRetail and tourism numbers are plunging, small businesses have been forced to close, and people are losing their jobs – especially in the tourism and food sectors, where the unemployment rate has [risen by 5%.](https:\/\/www.fso.gov.hk\/eng\/blog\/blog171119.htm)\n\nThe government has [implemented measures](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/08\/15\/economy\/hong-kong-economy-stimulus\/index.html) to support the impacted businesses, including slashing rents at properties they lease out.\n\nThe economic downturn could eventually recover – but the social divide and protesters’ mistrust in the government could take much longer to heal, if possible at all.\n\n![TO GO WITH HongKong-housing-social-rooftop,FEATURE by Laura MANNERING This photograph taken on October 10, 2013 shows the residential building (bottom C) upon which residents Su Xingyun and Quang Xuan live in their rooftop houses in the Sham Shui Po district of Hong Kong. Their precarious rooftop houses have for years offered refuge from an unaffordable Hong Kong property market, but some of the city's poorest residents now face losing their makeshift homes as the government seeks to dismantle them. AFP PHOTO \/ ANTHONY WALLACE (Photo credit should read ANTHONY WALLACE\/AFP\/Getty Images)](https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/190816150817-hong-kong-sham-shui-po-01.jpg?q=x_4,y_8,h_2325,w_4133,c_crop\/w_1280)\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nHong Kong falls into recession after a decade\n\n03:19   • Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\nHong Kong falls into recession after a decade\n\n03:19\n\nHong Kong is a global financial hub – so a hit to its economy affects business worldwide as well. Experts warned early on that if the unrest continues, international companies could look to pull out of Hong Kong and relocate their branches elsewhere.\n\nThere has been no substantive indication that Beijing is planning to deploy troops, but as fear of PLA intervention has spread throughout the city, experts have warned that such a crackdown could be disastrous for Hong Kong. The stock market would likely crash, followed by the housing market. A mass exodus could follow, and other countries could see migrants incoming from Hong Kong. Many Hong Kongers hold foreign passports, a legacy of 1997, and it is easy for them to move overseas.\n\nOn a more abstract level, some people have framed the unrest as a tug-of-war between Chinese authoritarianism and the Western ideals of freedom and democracy. This narrative oversimplifies some of the nuances at play – but it’s also perhaps why the movement has gained traction in the US, where [Trump signed an act](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/11\/28\/asia\/hong-kong-reaction-trump-legislation-intl-hnk\/index.html) in support of the protests after it was passed almost unanimously by both houses of Congress.\n\nMany brands and companies have gotten caught in the middle. Those who sympathize with the protesters face Chinese fury and financial backlash; those who try to placate China draw accusations of cowardice from protest supporters, both in Hong Kong and internationally.\n\nFor example, an NBA team general manager tweeted in support of the protests. The NBA apologized, [drawing intense domestic criticism](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/09\/business\/nba-china-hong-kong-explainer\/index.html) for appearing to bow to Chinese pressure – then it reaffirmed its support for freedom of expression, incensing China and losing valuable Chinese partnerships. Basketball stars like [LeBron James](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/14\/us\/lebron-james-nba-china-intl-hnk-scli\/index.html) and [Shaquille O’Neal](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/23\/us\/shaquille-oneal-nba-china-intl-hnk-scli\/index.html) have also spoken out about the issue.\n\nMeanwhile, television show “South Park” satirized Hollywood’s sensitivity to Chinese government censors – then, the show creators [explicitly called out](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/07\/us\/south-park-apology-chinese-internet-trnd\/index.html) the NBA in a mock “apology” afterward.\n\nBrands like [Vans](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/style\/article\/vans-hong-kong-intl-hnk-scli\/index.html), [Nike](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/06\/27\/business\/nike-china-japan-hong-kong\/index.html), [Versace](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/style\/article\/versace-loses-yang-mi-hong-kong-protest-t-shirt-intl-scli\/index.html), [Coach, and Givenchy](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/style\/article\/coach-givenchy-versace-t-shirt-controversy\/index.html) have also come under fire for offending either China or the protesters.\n\nThe reality is, it’s unclear. The protests look to be growing smaller – at least, compared to the marches in June that drew hundreds of thousands of people – butthe lack of a major mass march is also partly due to government restrictions on transport and police refusing approval for such an event.\n\n[The local district council elections](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/11\/25\/asia\/hong-kong-district-council-elections-protests-intl-hnk\/index.html) in November showed just how widespread support for the movement still is. Pro-democracy candidates won a landslide victory, taking nearly 90% of the seats up for grabs. It was the highest election turnout in Hong Kong’s history, and delivered a stinging rebuke to the government.\n\nDistrict councillors don’t hold much actual power, mainly focusing on local issues – but pro-democrats now have more of a say in selecting the next Chief Executive in 2022.\n\nMeanwhile, police have arrested over 6,100 people and formally charged nearly 1,000 since June 9, when the protests began. The youngest arrested so far is 11 years old.\n\nWith both the protesters and the government unwilling to give ground, it’s uncertain how or when the conflict can end. For now, residents are bracing for further economic loss, and some have [already decided to leave](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2019\/10\/08\/asia\/hong-kong-protest-migration-intl-hnk\/index.html).","meta_canonical":null}

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URL	https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/15/asia/hong-kong-protests-explainer-intl-hnk-scli
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First Indexed	2021-04-25 19:52:26 (4 years ago)
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Meta Title	The Hong Kong protests, explained \| CNN
Meta Description	The Hong Kong protests have dragged on for more than six months. Let’s break it down.
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Boilerpipe Text	Video Ad Feedback Hong Kong protesters armed with umbrellas take on police 03:56 • Source: CNN Hong Kong protesters armed with umbrellas take on police 03:56 CNN — Hong Kong has been rocked by pro-democracy, anti-government protests for more than six months now, with escalating violence and anger on all sides. What began as peaceful mass marches has exploded into the city’s biggest political crisis in modern times. It’s also become a geopolitical mess with worldwide implications. Companies, brands, politicians and celebrities – even LeBron James – have been caught in the crossfire. Nobody is quite sure where the protests are headed, but there’s no clear end in sight. Here’s everything you need to know about the Hong Kong protests. The protests began in June with one main objective – for the government to withdraw a controversial bill that would have allowed extradition of fugitives to mainland China. Critics worried Beijing could use the bill to prosecute people for political reasons under China’s opaque legal system. Unlike other cities in China, which are tightly governed by the authoritarian central government, Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous city with its own legal and political systems. Protesters feared the bill would allow China to encroach on these rare freedoms. As the stand-off with the government stretched on, peaceful mass marches increasingly descended into violent clashes with police – and the movement quickly grew to include five major demands: Fully withdraw the extradition bill Set up an independent inquiry to probe police brutality Withdraw a characterization of early protests as “riots” Release those arrested at protests Implement universal suffrage in Hong Kong The broader demands reflect a long-standing call for full democracy, which Hong Kong does not have – its leader is chosen by a tiny election committee dominated by pro-establishment, pro-Beijing voters. By the time Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam agreed to the first demand, withdrawing the bill, it was too late to quell the movement’s momentum. This began with peaceful marches. Now, two protesters have been shot with live rounds, a man was set on fire, and another man died after being hit with a brick during clashes . Long-standing allegations of police neglect, as well as several violent incidents have added fuel to the fire and pushed the city further into chaos. On July 21, a mob violently attacked protesters in a subway station, injuring at least 45 people. Protesters accuse the police of inaction during the attack, and many saw this as a sign that the police force couldn’t be trusted to protect the people. Protesters have also become more extreme in their vandalism, setting fires in subway stations and smashing shop windows – drawing criticism of senseless destruction from those who oppose the movement, and even some supporters. Rampant misinformation and conspiracy theories online have also added to the polarization and widespread sense of fear. Violent confrontations have taken place during some protests, and people accused of being “infiltrators” have been savagely beaten. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam did publicly apologize early on in the summer, saying the unrest was “caused by the deficiencies of the (Hong Kong) government.” But since then, she and other official bodies have taken a harder line. Nearly every week, the police condemn “rioters,” and call for law and order. Lam warned that the protests were bringing Hong Kong “to the brink of no return,” and that the government would not concede to protesters’ demands. “If there is any wishful thinking that by escalating violence the (Hong Kong) government will yield to pressure to satisfy protesters’ so-called demands, I’m making this clear that will not happen,” she said. Hong Kong’s relationship with mainland China is a key element in untangling this mess. Hong Kong was a British territory until it was handed over to Chinese control in 1997 – but the handover agreement gave the city protected special freedoms of press, speech, and assembly for at least 50 years. These freedoms stand in stark contrast to China’s strict censorship and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s tight grip on power, which have seen dissidents jailed and interrogated in secret prisons. This is what we mean when we say Hong Kong is semi-autonomous. The city is part of China – but it has its own currency, language, legal system, identity and culture. This model of governance is called “one country, two systems .” And this is why protesters here are desperate to protect their freedoms – because they fear becoming just another Chinese city under Xi’s rule. Now, young protesters say China’s encroachment on Hong Kong’s autonomy is a violation of the “two systems” agreement. Many want to achieve full democracy before 2047 , the pre-handover agreed date when Hong Kong could in theory become fully integrated with China. Some are even calling for full independence from the mainland. This strong anti-China sentiment is why protesters have targeted Chinese-owned businesses – for instance, they smashed the ATMs at Bank of China locations. They have also boycotted restaurants that expressed pro-China stances. Beijing has taken a firm rhetorical stance, saying the protests “ showed signs of terrorism .” Xi has demanded an end to the violence, saying the “radical” protests had trampled the city’s rule of law and that “stopping the violence and restoring order” was Hong Kong’s most “urgent task.” He has also praised the city’s police force and Lam’s leadership “in severely punishing the violent criminals in accordance with the law.” These comments appear to dispel rumors that Beijing was looking to replace Lam, instead sending a clear message – Lam is here to stay. The central Chinese government hasn’t done much in terms of actual action, largely letting Hong Kong leaders deal with the crisis – but the threat of Chinese military intervention has hung over the movement for months. The Chinese military has a presence in Hong Kong – about 6,000 People’s Liberation Army soldiers are housed in barracks in the city. In August, the garrison commander warned that violence by protesters “should not be tolerated,” raising concerns that Beijing could use the troops to crack down on protests. However, it is not clear if Beijing has a red line, and what it would take for protesters to cross it before provoking a Chinese military response. Yes, but not like this. During the 2014 Umbrella Revolution , protesters occupied the city’s financial center, demanding democratic electoral reform and protesting against increasing Chinese influence – but the scale and severity are different this time around. The Umbrella Revolution lasted 79 days, or a little over two and a half months. The ongoing protests have now passed the six month mark. The Umbrella Revolution saw police deploy pepper spray. Now, people are facing lethal force – a protester shot by police and the man set on fire are both in critical condition at the hospital. The roots of the current unrest can be traced back to that summer five years ago, both in the radicalizing effect it had on a whole generation of young Hong Kongers and in the government’s failure to take action. The protest movement finally collapsed in December 2014, but the underlying frustrations continued simmering – until they finally exploded this June. Five months of violence and vandalism have caused the city’s economy to tank, and Hong Kong officially entered a recession in October. Retail and tourism numbers are plunging, small businesses have been forced to close, and people are losing their jobs – especially in the tourism and food sectors, where the unemployment rate has risen by 5%. The government has implemented measures to support the impacted businesses, including slashing rents at properties they lease out. The economic downturn could eventually recover – but the social divide and protesters’ mistrust in the government could take much longer to heal, if possible at all. Video Ad Feedback Hong Kong falls into recession after a decade 03:19 • Source: CNN Hong Kong falls into recession after a decade 03:19 Hong Kong is a global financial hub – so a hit to its economy affects business worldwide as well. Experts warned early on that if the unrest continues, international companies could look to pull out of Hong Kong and relocate their branches elsewhere. There has been no substantive indication that Beijing is planning to deploy troops, but as fear of PLA intervention has spread throughout the city, experts have warned that such a crackdown could be disastrous for Hong Kong. The stock market would likely crash, followed by the housing market. A mass exodus could follow, and other countries could see migrants incoming from Hong Kong. Many Hong Kongers hold foreign passports, a legacy of 1997, and it is easy for them to move overseas. On a more abstract level, some people have framed the unrest as a tug-of-war between Chinese authoritarianism and the Western ideals of freedom and democracy. This narrative oversimplifies some of the nuances at play – but it’s also perhaps why the movement has gained traction in the US, where Trump signed an act in support of the protests after it was passed almost unanimously by both houses of Congress. Many brands and companies have gotten caught in the middle. Those who sympathize with the protesters face Chinese fury and financial backlash; those who try to placate China draw accusations of cowardice from protest supporters, both in Hong Kong and internationally. For example, an NBA team general manager tweeted in support of the protests. The NBA apologized, drawing intense domestic criticism for appearing to bow to Chinese pressure – then it reaffirmed its support for freedom of expression, incensing China and losing valuable Chinese partnerships. Basketball stars like LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal have also spoken out about the issue. Meanwhile, television show “South Park” satirized Hollywood’s sensitivity to Chinese government censors – then, the show creators explicitly called out the NBA in a mock “apology” afterward. Brands like Vans , Nike , Versace , Coach, and Givenchy have also come under fire for offending either China or the protesters. The reality is, it’s unclear. The protests look to be growing smaller – at least, compared to the marches in June that drew hundreds of thousands of people – but the lack of a major mass march is also partly due to government restrictions on transport and police refusing approval for such an event. The local district council elections in November showed just how widespread support for the movement still is. Pro-democracy candidates won a landslide victory, taking nearly 90% of the seats up for grabs. It was the highest election turnout in Hong Kong’s history, and delivered a stinging rebuke to the government. District councillors don’t hold much actual power, mainly focusing on local issues – but pro-democrats now have more of a say in selecting the next Chief Executive in 2022. Meanwhile, police have arrested over 6,100 people and formally charged nearly 1,000 since June 9, when the protests began. The youngest arrested so far is 11 years old. With both the protesters and the government unwilling to give ground, it’s uncertain how or when the conflict can end. For now, residents are bracing for further economic loss, and some have already decided to leave .
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Hong Kong police have swooped in with tear gas and batons as protesters who have taken over the university campus make an apparent last-ditch effort to escape arrest. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/191118113803-12-hong-kong-1118.jpg?q=x_3,y_311,h_1684,w_2993,c_crop/w_1280) Video Ad Feedback Hong Kong protesters armed with umbrellas take on police 03:56 • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) Hong Kong protesters armed with umbrellas take on police 03:56 CNN — Hong Kong has been rocked by [pro-democracy, anti-government protests](https://www.cnn.com/specials/asia/hong-kong-protests-intl-hnk) for more than six months now, with escalating violence and anger on all sides. What began as peaceful mass marches has exploded into the city’s biggest political crisis in modern times. It’s also become a geopolitical mess with worldwide implications. Companies, brands, politicians and celebrities – even LeBron James – have been caught in the crossfire. Nobody is quite sure where the protests are headed, but there’s no clear end in sight. Here’s everything you need to know about the Hong Kong protests. ## Why are people protesting? The protests began in June with one main objective – for the government to withdraw [a controversial bill](https://www.cnn.com/asia/live-news/hong-kong-july-1-protests-intl-hnk/h_292b4752c6197e53d4c0718c99046d48) that would have allowed extradition of fugitives to mainland China. Critics worried Beijing could use the bill to prosecute people for political reasonsunder China’s opaque legal system. Unlike other cities in China, which are tightly governed by the authoritarian central government,Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous city with its own legal and political systems. Protesters feared the bill would allow China to encroach on these rare freedoms. As the stand-off with the government stretched on, peaceful mass marches increasingly descended into violent clashes with police – and the movement quickly grew to include five major demands: - Fully withdraw the extradition bill - Set up an independent inquiry to probe police brutality - Withdraw a characterization of early protests as “riots” - Release those arrested at protests - Implement universal suffrage in Hong Kong The broader demands reflect a long-standing call for full democracy, which Hong Kong does not have – its leader is chosen by a tiny election committee dominated by pro-establishment, pro-Beijing voters. By the time Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam [agreed to the first demand,](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/04/asia/hong-kong-carrie-lam-extradition-bill-intl-hnk/index.html) withdrawing the bill, it was too late to quell the movement’s momentum. ## How did this spin out of control? This began with peaceful marches. Now, two protesters have been shot with live rounds, a man was set on fire, and another man died after being hit with a [brick during clashes](http://www.cnn.com/2019/11/14/asia/hong-kong-protest-elderly-man-dies-intl-hnk/index.html). Long-standing allegations of police neglect, as well as several violent incidents have added fuel to the fire and pushed the city further into chaos. On July 21, a mob [violently attacked protesters](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/21/asia/hong-kong-protest-july-21-intl-hnk/index.html) in a subway station, injuring at least 45 people. Protesters accuse the police of inaction during the attack, and many saw this as a sign that the police force couldn’t be trusted to protect the people. Protesters have also become more extreme in their vandalism, setting fires in subway stations and smashing shop windows – drawing [criticism of senseless destruction](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/26/asia/hong-kong-destruction-support-intl-hnk/index.html) from those who oppose the movement, and even some supporters. [Rampant misinformation and conspiracy theories](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/11/asia/hong-kong-fake-news-intl-hnk/index.html) online have also added to the polarization and widespread sense of fear. Violent confrontations have taken place during some protests, and people accused of being “infiltrators” have been savagely beaten. ## What has the government said? Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam did [publicly apologize](https://cnn.com/2019/06/18/asia/hong-kong-protests-extradition-carrie-lam-intl-hnk/index.html) early on in the summer, saying the unrest was “caused by the deficiencies of the (Hong Kong) government.” But since then, she and other official bodies have taken a harder line. Nearly every week, the police condemn “rioters,” and call for law and order. [Lam warned](https://cnn.com/2019/11/10/asia/hong-kong-protester-shot-intl-hnk/index.html) that the protests were bringing Hong Kong “to the brink of no return,” and that the government would not concede to protesters’ demands. “If there is any wishful thinking that by escalating violence the (Hong Kong) government will yield to pressure to satisfy protesters’ so-called demands, I’m making this clear that will not happen,” she said. ## What is China’s role in all this? Hong Kong’s relationship with mainland China is a key element in untangling this mess. Hong Kong was a British territory until it was [handed over to Chinese control](https://cnn.com/specials/asia/hong-kong-handover) in 1997 – but the handover agreement gave the city protected special freedomsof press, speech, and assembly for at least 50 years. These freedoms stand in stark contrast to China’s strict censorship and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s tight grip on power, which have seen dissidents [jailed](https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/11/asia/qin-yongmin-china-intl/index.html) and interrogated in [secret prisons.](https://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/23/asia/china-lawyers-disappeared/index.html) This is what we mean when we say Hong Kong is semi-autonomous. The city is part of China – but it has its own currency, language, legal system, identity and culture. This model of governance is called [“one country, two systems](https://cnn.com/2019/07/01/asia/hong-kong-china-protests-different-trnd/index.html).” And this is why protesters here are desperate to protect their freedoms – because they fear becoming just another Chinese city under Xi’s rule. Now, young protesters say China’s encroachment on Hong Kong’s autonomy is a violation of the “two systems” agreement. Many want to achieve [full democracy before 2047](https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/25/asia/hong-kong-china-2047-protests-intl-hnk/index.html), the pre-handover agreed date when Hong Kong could in theory become fully integrated with China. Some are even calling for full independence from the mainland. This strong anti-China sentiment is why protesters have targeted Chinese-owned businesses – for instance, they smashed the ATMs at Bank of China locations. They have also boycotted restaurants that expressed pro-China stances. ![Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam in Shanghai on November 4, 2019.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/191105103934-carrie-lam-xi-jinping-1104-01.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill) Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam in Shanghai on November 4, 2019. Ju Peng/AP ## What has China said? Beijing has taken a firm rhetorical stance, saying the protests “[showed signs of terrorism](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/13/asia/china-hong-kong-terrorism-intl-hnk/index.html).” Xi has demanded an end to the violence, saying the “radical” protests had trampled the city’s rule of law and that “stopping the violence and restoring order” was Hong Kong’s most “urgent task.” He has also praised the city’s police force and Lam’s leadership “in severely punishing the violent criminals in accordance with the law.” These comments appear to dispel rumors that Beijing was looking to replace Lam, instead [sending a clear message](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/05/asia/hong-kong-carrie-lam-xi-jinping-intl-hnk/index.html) – Lam is here to stay. The central Chinese government hasn’t done much in terms of actual action, largely letting Hong Kong leaders deal with the crisis – but the threat of Chinese military intervention has hung over the movement for months. The Chinese military has a presence in Hong Kong – about 6,000 People’s Liberation Army soldiers are housed in barracks in the city. In August, the garrison commander warned that violence by protesters “should not be tolerated,” raising concerns that Beijing could use the troops to crack down on protests. However, it is not clear if Beijing has a red line, and what it would take for protesters to cross it before provoking a Chinese military response. ## Didn’t Hong Kong protest in 2014, too? Yes, but not like this. During the [2014 Umbrella Revolution](https://www.cnn.com/2014/09/27/world/asia/hong-kong-five-things/index.html), protesters occupied the city’s financial center, demanding democratic electoral reform and protesting against increasing Chinese influence – but the scale and severity are different this time around. The Umbrella Revolution lasted 79 days, or a little over two and a half months. The ongoing protests have now passed the six month mark. The Umbrella Revolution saw police deploy pepper spray. Now, people are facing lethal force – a protester shot by police and the man set on fire are both in critical condition at the hospital. The roots of the current unrest can be [traced back to that summer](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/26/asia/hong-kong-protests-umbrella-intl-hnk/index.html) five years ago, both in the radicalizing effect it had on a whole generation of young Hong Kongers and in the government’s failure to take action. The protest movement finally collapsed in December 2014, but the underlying frustrations continued simmering – until they finally exploded this June. ![A pro-democracy activist holds a yellow umbrella in front of a police line on November 25, 2014 in Hong Kong. ](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/141126155032-defining-moments-hong-kong-protest.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill) A pro-democracy activist holds a yellow umbrella in front of a police line on November 25, 2014 in Hong Kong. Chris McGrath/Getty Images ## How have the protests impacted Hong Kong? Five months of violence and vandalism have caused the city’s economy to tank, and Hong Kong officially entered [a recession in October.](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/31/business/hong-kong-economy/index.html) Retail and tourism numbers are plunging, small businesses have been forced to close, and people are losing their jobs – especially in the tourism and food sectors, where the unemployment rate has [risen by 5%.](https://www.fso.gov.hk/eng/blog/blog171119.htm) The government has [implemented measures](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/15/economy/hong-kong-economy-stimulus/index.html) to support the impacted businesses, including slashing rents at properties they lease out. The economic downturn could eventually recover – but the social divide and protesters’ mistrust in the government could take much longer to heal, if possible at all. ![TO GO WITH HongKong-housing-social-rooftop,FEATURE by Laura MANNERING This photograph taken on October 10, 2013 shows the residential building (bottom C) upon which residents Su Xingyun and Quang Xuan live in their rooftop houses in the Sham Shui Po district of Hong Kong. Their precarious rooftop houses have for years offered refuge from an unaffordable Hong Kong property market, but some of the city's poorest residents now face losing their makeshift homes as the government seeks to dismantle them. AFP PHOTO / ANTHONY WALLACE (Photo credit should read ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images)](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/190816150817-hong-kong-sham-shui-po-01.jpg?q=x_4,y_8,h_2325,w_4133,c_crop/w_1280) Video Ad Feedback Hong Kong falls into recession after a decade 03:19 • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) Hong Kong falls into recession after a decade 03:19 ## How does this affect the rest of the world? Hong Kong is a global financial hub – so a hit to its economy affects business worldwide as well. Experts warned early on that if the unrest continues, international companies could look to pull out of Hong Kong and relocate their branches elsewhere. There has been no substantive indication that Beijing is planning to deploy troops, but as fear of PLA intervention has spread throughout the city, experts have warned that such a crackdown could be disastrous for Hong Kong. The stock market would likely crash, followed by the housing market. A mass exodus could follow, and other countries could see migrants incoming from Hong Kong. Many Hong Kongers hold foreign passports, a legacy of 1997, and it is easy for them to move overseas. On a more abstract level, some people have framed the unrest as a tug-of-war between Chinese authoritarianism and the Western ideals of freedom and democracy. This narrative oversimplifies some of the nuances at play – but it’s also perhaps why the movement has gained traction in the US, where [Trump signed an act](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/28/asia/hong-kong-reaction-trump-legislation-intl-hnk/index.html) in support of the protests after it was passed almost unanimously by both houses of Congress. ## Why are people talking about the NBA? South Park? Versace? Many brands and companies have gotten caught in the middle. Those who sympathize with the protesters face Chinese fury and financial backlash; those who try to placate China draw accusations of cowardice from protest supporters, both in Hong Kong and internationally. [![BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 09: The NBA flagship retail store is seen on October 9, 2019 in Beijing, China. The NBA is trying to salvage its brand in China amid criticism of its handling of a controversial tweet that infuriated the government and has jeopardized the league's Chinese expansion. The crisis, triggered by a Houston Rockets executives tweet that praised protests in Hong Kong, prompted the Chinese Basketball Association to suspend its partnership with the league. The backlash continued with state-owned television CCTV scrapping its plans to broadcast pre-season games in Shanghai and Shenzhen, and the cancellation of other promotional fan events. The league issued an apology, though NBA Commissioner Adam Silver angered Chinese officials further when he defended the right of players and team executives to free speech. China represents a lucrative market for the NBA, which stands to lose millions of dollars in revenue and threatens to alienate Chinese fans. Many have taken to China's social media platforms to express their outrage and disappointment that the NBA would question the country's sovereignty over Hong Kong which has been mired in anti-government protests since June. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/191009105509-nba-flagship-store-beijing-china.jpg?q=x_3,y_48,h_1397,w_2482,c_crop/h_144,w_256) BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 09: The NBA flagship retail store is seen on October 9, 2019 in Beijing, China. The NBA is trying to salvage its brand in China amid criticism of its handling of a controversial tweet that infuriated the government and has jeopardized the league's Chinese expansion. The crisis, triggered by a Houston Rockets executives tweet that praised protests in Hong Kong, prompted the Chinese Basketball Association to suspend its partnership with the league. The backlash continued with state-owned television CCTV scrapping its plans to broadcast pre-season games in Shanghai and Shenzhen, and the cancellation of other promotional fan events. The league issued an apology, though NBA Commissioner Adam Silver angered Chinese officials further when he defended the right of players and team executives to free speech. China represents a lucrative market for the NBA, which stands to lose millions of dollars in revenue and threatens to alienate Chinese fans. Many have taken to China's social media platforms to express their outrage and disappointment that the NBA would question the country's sovereignty over Hong Kong which has been mired in anti-government protests since June. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) Kevin Frayer/Getty Images Related article How one tweet snowballed into the NBA's worst nightmare](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/09/business/nba-china-hong-kong-explainer/index.html) For example, an NBA team general manager tweeted in support of the protests. The NBA apologized, [drawing intense domestic criticism](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/09/business/nba-china-hong-kong-explainer/index.html) for appearing to bow to Chinese pressure – then it reaffirmed its support for freedom of expression, incensing China and losing valuable Chinese partnerships. Basketball stars like [LeBron James](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/14/us/lebron-james-nba-china-intl-hnk-scli/index.html) and [Shaquille O’Neal](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/23/us/shaquille-oneal-nba-china-intl-hnk-scli/index.html) have also spoken out about the issue. Meanwhile, television show “South Park” satirized Hollywood’s sensitivity to Chinese government censors – then, the show creators [explicitly called out](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/07/us/south-park-apology-chinese-internet-trnd/index.html) the NBA in a mock “apology” afterward. Brands like [Vans](https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/vans-hong-kong-intl-hnk-scli/index.html), [Nike](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/27/business/nike-china-japan-hong-kong/index.html), [Versace](https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/versace-loses-yang-mi-hong-kong-protest-t-shirt-intl-scli/index.html), [Coach, and Givenchy](https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/coach-givenchy-versace-t-shirt-controversy/index.html) have also come under fire for offending either China or the protesters. ## What’s next? The reality is, it’s unclear. The protests look to be growing smaller – at least, compared to the marches in June that drew hundreds of thousands of people – butthe lack of a major mass march is also partly due to government restrictions on transport and police refusing approval for such an event. [The local district council elections](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/25/asia/hong-kong-district-council-elections-protests-intl-hnk/index.html) in November showed just how widespread support for the movement still is. Pro-democracy candidates won a landslide victory, taking nearly 90% of the seats up for grabs. It was the highest election turnout in Hong Kong’s history, and delivered a stinging rebuke to the government. District councillors don’t hold much actual power, mainly focusing on local issues – but pro-democrats now have more of a say in selecting the next Chief Executive in 2022. Meanwhile, police have arrested over 6,100 people and formally charged nearly 1,000 since June 9, when the protests began. The youngest arrested so far is 11 years old. With both the protesters and the government unwilling to give ground, it’s uncertain how or when the conflict can end. For now, residents are bracing for further economic loss, and some have [already decided to leave](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/08/asia/hong-kong-protest-migration-intl-hnk/index.html). 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Readable Markdown	![A policeman in riot gear points his weapon as protesters try to flee from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong, Monday, Nov. 18, 2019. Hong Kong police have swooped in with tear gas and batons as protesters who have taken over the university campus make an apparent last-ditch effort to escape arrest. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/191118113803-12-hong-kong-1118.jpg?q=x_3,y_311,h_1684,w_2993,c_crop/w_1280) Video Ad Feedback Hong Kong protesters armed with umbrellas take on police 03:56 • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) Hong Kong protesters armed with umbrellas take on police 03:56 CNN — Hong Kong has been rocked by [pro-democracy, anti-government protests](https://www.cnn.com/specials/asia/hong-kong-protests-intl-hnk) for more than six months now, with escalating violence and anger on all sides. What began as peaceful mass marches has exploded into the city’s biggest political crisis in modern times. It’s also become a geopolitical mess with worldwide implications. Companies, brands, politicians and celebrities – even LeBron James – have been caught in the crossfire. Nobody is quite sure where the protests are headed, but there’s no clear end in sight. Here’s everything you need to know about the Hong Kong protests. The protests began in June with one main objective – for the government to withdraw [a controversial bill](https://www.cnn.com/asia/live-news/hong-kong-july-1-protests-intl-hnk/h_292b4752c6197e53d4c0718c99046d48) that would have allowed extradition of fugitives to mainland China. Critics worried Beijing could use the bill to prosecute people for political reasonsunder China’s opaque legal system. Unlike other cities in China, which are tightly governed by the authoritarian central government,Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous city with its own legal and political systems. Protesters feared the bill would allow China to encroach on these rare freedoms. As the stand-off with the government stretched on, peaceful mass marches increasingly descended into violent clashes with police – and the movement quickly grew to include five major demands: - Fully withdraw the extradition bill - Set up an independent inquiry to probe police brutality - Withdraw a characterization of early protests as “riots” - Release those arrested at protests - Implement universal suffrage in Hong Kong The broader demands reflect a long-standing call for full democracy, which Hong Kong does not have – its leader is chosen by a tiny election committee dominated by pro-establishment, pro-Beijing voters. By the time Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam [agreed to the first demand,](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/04/asia/hong-kong-carrie-lam-extradition-bill-intl-hnk/index.html) withdrawing the bill, it was too late to quell the movement’s momentum. This began with peaceful marches. Now, two protesters have been shot with live rounds, a man was set on fire, and another man died after being hit with a [brick during clashes](http://www.cnn.com/2019/11/14/asia/hong-kong-protest-elderly-man-dies-intl-hnk/index.html). Long-standing allegations of police neglect, as well as several violent incidents have added fuel to the fire and pushed the city further into chaos. On July 21, a mob [violently attacked protesters](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/21/asia/hong-kong-protest-july-21-intl-hnk/index.html) in a subway station, injuring at least 45 people. Protesters accuse the police of inaction during the attack, and many saw this as a sign that the police force couldn’t be trusted to protect the people. Protesters have also become more extreme in their vandalism, setting fires in subway stations and smashing shop windows – drawing [criticism of senseless destruction](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/26/asia/hong-kong-destruction-support-intl-hnk/index.html) from those who oppose the movement, and even some supporters. [Rampant misinformation and conspiracy theories](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/11/asia/hong-kong-fake-news-intl-hnk/index.html) online have also added to the polarization and widespread sense of fear. Violent confrontations have taken place during some protests, and people accused of being “infiltrators” have been savagely beaten. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam did [publicly apologize](https://cnn.com/2019/06/18/asia/hong-kong-protests-extradition-carrie-lam-intl-hnk/index.html) early on in the summer, saying the unrest was “caused by the deficiencies of the (Hong Kong) government.” But since then, she and other official bodies have taken a harder line. Nearly every week, the police condemn “rioters,” and call for law and order. [Lam warned](https://cnn.com/2019/11/10/asia/hong-kong-protester-shot-intl-hnk/index.html) that the protests were bringing Hong Kong “to the brink of no return,” and that the government would not concede to protesters’ demands. “If there is any wishful thinking that by escalating violence the (Hong Kong) government will yield to pressure to satisfy protesters’ so-called demands, I’m making this clear that will not happen,” she said. Hong Kong’s relationship with mainland China is a key element in untangling this mess. Hong Kong was a British territory until it was [handed over to Chinese control](https://cnn.com/specials/asia/hong-kong-handover) in 1997 – but the handover agreement gave the city protected special freedomsof press, speech, and assembly for at least 50 years. These freedoms stand in stark contrast to China’s strict censorship and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s tight grip on power, which have seen dissidents [jailed](https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/11/asia/qin-yongmin-china-intl/index.html) and interrogated in [secret prisons.](https://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/23/asia/china-lawyers-disappeared/index.html) This is what we mean when we say Hong Kong is semi-autonomous. The city is part of China – but it has its own currency, language, legal system, identity and culture. This model of governance is called [“one country, two systems](https://cnn.com/2019/07/01/asia/hong-kong-china-protests-different-trnd/index.html).” And this is why protesters here are desperate to protect their freedoms – because they fear becoming just another Chinese city under Xi’s rule. Now, young protesters say China’s encroachment on Hong Kong’s autonomy is a violation of the “two systems” agreement. Many want to achieve [full democracy before 2047](https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/25/asia/hong-kong-china-2047-protests-intl-hnk/index.html), the pre-handover agreed date when Hong Kong could in theory become fully integrated with China. Some are even calling for full independence from the mainland. This strong anti-China sentiment is why protesters have targeted Chinese-owned businesses – for instance, they smashed the ATMs at Bank of China locations. They have also boycotted restaurants that expressed pro-China stances. ![Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam in Shanghai on November 4, 2019.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/191105103934-carrie-lam-xi-jinping-1104-01.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill) Beijing has taken a firm rhetorical stance, saying the protests “[showed signs of terrorism](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/13/asia/china-hong-kong-terrorism-intl-hnk/index.html).” Xi has demanded an end to the violence, saying the “radical” protests had trampled the city’s rule of law and that “stopping the violence and restoring order” was Hong Kong’s most “urgent task.” He has also praised the city’s police force and Lam’s leadership “in severely punishing the violent criminals in accordance with the law.” These comments appear to dispel rumors that Beijing was looking to replace Lam, instead [sending a clear message](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/05/asia/hong-kong-carrie-lam-xi-jinping-intl-hnk/index.html) – Lam is here to stay. The central Chinese government hasn’t done much in terms of actual action, largely letting Hong Kong leaders deal with the crisis – but the threat of Chinese military intervention has hung over the movement for months. The Chinese military has a presence in Hong Kong – about 6,000 People’s Liberation Army soldiers are housed in barracks in the city. In August, the garrison commander warned that violence by protesters “should not be tolerated,” raising concerns that Beijing could use the troops to crack down on protests. However, it is not clear if Beijing has a red line, and what it would take for protesters to cross it before provoking a Chinese military response. Yes, but not like this. During the [2014 Umbrella Revolution](https://www.cnn.com/2014/09/27/world/asia/hong-kong-five-things/index.html), protesters occupied the city’s financial center, demanding democratic electoral reform and protesting against increasing Chinese influence – but the scale and severity are different this time around. The Umbrella Revolution lasted 79 days, or a little over two and a half months. The ongoing protests have now passed the six month mark. The Umbrella Revolution saw police deploy pepper spray. Now, people are facing lethal force – a protester shot by police and the man set on fire are both in critical condition at the hospital. The roots of the current unrest can be [traced back to that summer](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/26/asia/hong-kong-protests-umbrella-intl-hnk/index.html) five years ago, both in the radicalizing effect it had on a whole generation of young Hong Kongers and in the government’s failure to take action. The protest movement finally collapsed in December 2014, but the underlying frustrations continued simmering – until they finally exploded this June. ![A pro-democracy activist holds a yellow umbrella in front of a police line on November 25, 2014 in Hong Kong. ](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/141126155032-defining-moments-hong-kong-protest.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill) Five months of violence and vandalism have caused the city’s economy to tank, and Hong Kong officially entered [a recession in October.](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/31/business/hong-kong-economy/index.html) Retail and tourism numbers are plunging, small businesses have been forced to close, and people are losing their jobs – especially in the tourism and food sectors, where the unemployment rate has [risen by 5%.](https://www.fso.gov.hk/eng/blog/blog171119.htm) The government has [implemented measures](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/15/economy/hong-kong-economy-stimulus/index.html) to support the impacted businesses, including slashing rents at properties they lease out. The economic downturn could eventually recover – but the social divide and protesters’ mistrust in the government could take much longer to heal, if possible at all. ![TO GO WITH HongKong-housing-social-rooftop,FEATURE by Laura MANNERING This photograph taken on October 10, 2013 shows the residential building (bottom C) upon which residents Su Xingyun and Quang Xuan live in their rooftop houses in the Sham Shui Po district of Hong Kong. Their precarious rooftop houses have for years offered refuge from an unaffordable Hong Kong property market, but some of the city's poorest residents now face losing their makeshift homes as the government seeks to dismantle them. AFP PHOTO / ANTHONY WALLACE (Photo credit should read ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images)](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/190816150817-hong-kong-sham-shui-po-01.jpg?q=x_4,y_8,h_2325,w_4133,c_crop/w_1280) Video Ad Feedback Hong Kong falls into recession after a decade 03:19 • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) Hong Kong falls into recession after a decade 03:19 Hong Kong is a global financial hub – so a hit to its economy affects business worldwide as well. Experts warned early on that if the unrest continues, international companies could look to pull out of Hong Kong and relocate their branches elsewhere. There has been no substantive indication that Beijing is planning to deploy troops, but as fear of PLA intervention has spread throughout the city, experts have warned that such a crackdown could be disastrous for Hong Kong. The stock market would likely crash, followed by the housing market. A mass exodus could follow, and other countries could see migrants incoming from Hong Kong. Many Hong Kongers hold foreign passports, a legacy of 1997, and it is easy for them to move overseas. On a more abstract level, some people have framed the unrest as a tug-of-war between Chinese authoritarianism and the Western ideals of freedom and democracy. This narrative oversimplifies some of the nuances at play – but it’s also perhaps why the movement has gained traction in the US, where [Trump signed an act](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/28/asia/hong-kong-reaction-trump-legislation-intl-hnk/index.html) in support of the protests after it was passed almost unanimously by both houses of Congress. Many brands and companies have gotten caught in the middle. Those who sympathize with the protesters face Chinese fury and financial backlash; those who try to placate China draw accusations of cowardice from protest supporters, both in Hong Kong and internationally. For example, an NBA team general manager tweeted in support of the protests. The NBA apologized, [drawing intense domestic criticism](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/09/business/nba-china-hong-kong-explainer/index.html) for appearing to bow to Chinese pressure – then it reaffirmed its support for freedom of expression, incensing China and losing valuable Chinese partnerships. Basketball stars like [LeBron James](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/14/us/lebron-james-nba-china-intl-hnk-scli/index.html) and [Shaquille O’Neal](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/23/us/shaquille-oneal-nba-china-intl-hnk-scli/index.html) have also spoken out about the issue. Meanwhile, television show “South Park” satirized Hollywood’s sensitivity to Chinese government censors – then, the show creators [explicitly called out](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/07/us/south-park-apology-chinese-internet-trnd/index.html) the NBA in a mock “apology” afterward. Brands like [Vans](https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/vans-hong-kong-intl-hnk-scli/index.html), [Nike](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/27/business/nike-china-japan-hong-kong/index.html), [Versace](https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/versace-loses-yang-mi-hong-kong-protest-t-shirt-intl-scli/index.html), [Coach, and Givenchy](https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/coach-givenchy-versace-t-shirt-controversy/index.html) have also come under fire for offending either China or the protesters. The reality is, it’s unclear. The protests look to be growing smaller – at least, compared to the marches in June that drew hundreds of thousands of people – butthe lack of a major mass march is also partly due to government restrictions on transport and police refusing approval for such an event. [The local district council elections](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/25/asia/hong-kong-district-council-elections-protests-intl-hnk/index.html) in November showed just how widespread support for the movement still is. Pro-democracy candidates won a landslide victory, taking nearly 90% of the seats up for grabs. It was the highest election turnout in Hong Kong’s history, and delivered a stinging rebuke to the government. District councillors don’t hold much actual power, mainly focusing on local issues – but pro-democrats now have more of a say in selecting the next Chief Executive in 2022. Meanwhile, police have arrested over 6,100 people and formally charged nearly 1,000 since June 9, when the protests began. The youngest arrested so far is 11 years old. With both the protesters and the government unwilling to give ground, it’s uncertain how or when the conflict can end. For now, residents are bracing for further economic loss, and some have [already decided to leave](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/08/asia/hong-kong-protest-migration-intl-hnk/index.html).
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