Was it intentional or a easy mistake?
In a scene that went viral on social media in Hong Kong, the unofficial anthem of Hong Kong’s 2019 pro-democracy protests was blared over the sound system earlier than a rugby match between Hong Kong and South Korea performed simply outdoors of Seoul on Sunday.
The tune, “Glory to Hong Kong,” which requires democracy and liberty, rose to prominence in the course of the widespread protests in Hong Kong in 2019 towards growing encroachment on civil liberties by mainland Chinese language authorities.
Usually, China’s nationwide anthem, which praises communism, is performed each time Hong Kong sports activities groups play internationally.
Hong Kong’s authorities demanded an investigation into the incident.
The tune is very symbolic to the folks of Hong Kong, who’ve pushed again towards the rising constraints on expressions of free speech and press imposed on them by the Hong Kong authorities, which is basically doing Beijing’s will.
“The tune pokes proper on the sore spot of the Hong Kong authorities. It reminded the federal government of the truth that it doesn’t actually govern Hong Kong,” mentioned former legislative council member Ted Hui, who’s in exile abroad.
“The Hong Kong authorities is conscious that it’s a weak and unpopular authorities,” Hui mentioned. “It fears that the pro-democracy motion might be revived, and that the momentum could develop stronger once more.”
That is the clip when “Glory to Hong Kong,” the protest anthem, was performed on the Asian Rugby Seven Sequence in South Korea: https://t.co/o02abNBQ5y pic.twitter.com/kB8lr5i6CV
— Kris Cheng (@krislc) November 13, 2022
Human error?
The Seoul-based Korea Rugby Union mentioned that the gaffe was a results of human error and had no political motivations, and that it had apologized to the Asia Rugby Union, and each the Hong Kong and Chinese language groups collaborating within the event.
However Ronny Tong, a member of Hong Kong’s Government Council, mentioned the incident was possible not human error and should have had Hong Kong-based accomplices.
Tong mentioned that these accountable could have violated a number of legal guidelines, together with by committing sedition below the Crimes Ordinance, separatism or collusion with overseas forces below the Nationwide Safety Regulation of Hong Kong, or conspiracy to contravene below the Nationwide Anthem Ordinance.
Tong mentioned that the Hong Kong authorities ought to conduct a radical investigation in accordance with the regulation, fairly than merely protesting and demanding an apology.
However Hong Kong present affairs commentator and lawyer Sang Pu instructed Radio Free Asia on Monday that Tong’s authorized evaluation made no sense, saying it was not possible to use Hong Kong regulation in South Korea.
Tong had no proof of his assertion, Sang mentioned. “[He] claimed that it was a person in Hong Kong who plotted to have somebody meddle with the Chinese language nationwide anthem. That is pure creativeness. Why not think about different potentialities?”
Related anthem gaffes have occurred on many events over time. In 2017 Russian gold medal winners on the biathlon world championship in Austria noticed their flag raised to the tune of the Yeltsin-era Russian anthem.
After a Kazakh athlete received a gold medal at a global taking pictures competitors in Kuwait in 2012, the organizers performed a pretend model of the Kazakstan anthem made for the comedy film Borat.
Hong Kong received Sunday’s match towards South Korea 19-12. The third leg of the Asian Rugby Seven Sequence is scheduled for Nov. 26-27 in Amjan, UAE.
Translated by Min Eu. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Edited by Malcolm Foster.