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 exterior of Seoul on Sunday.
The tune, “Glory to Hong Kong,” which requires democracy and liberty, rose to prominence through the widespread protests in Hong Kong in 2019 in opposition to 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 in opposition to the rising constraints on expressions of free speech and press imposed on them by the Hong Kong authorities, which is essentially 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 really 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 shall 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 Collection 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 match.
However Ronny Tong, a member of Hong Kong’s Govt Council, mentioned the incident was probably 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 beneath the Crimes Ordinance, separatism or collusion with international forces beneath the Nationwide Safety Legislation of Hong Kong, or conspiracy to contravene beneath the Nationwide Anthem Ordinance.
Tong mentioned that the Hong Kong authorities ought to conduct an intensive investigation in accordance with the regulation, moderately than merely protesting and demanding an apology.
However Hong Kong present affairs commentator and lawyer Sang Pu advised 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 contemplate different potentialities?”
Comparable 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 capturing competitors in Kuwait in 2012, the organizers performed a faux model of the Kazakstan anthem made for the comedy film Borat.
Hong Kong received Sunday’s match in opposition to South Korea 19-12. The third leg of the Asian Rugby Seven Collection is scheduled for Nov. 26-27 in Amjan, UAE.
Translated by Min Eu. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Edited by Malcolm Foster.