Three major protest movements in Hong Kong prior to 2019 Anti-Extradition Protest

2003 Article 23 Protest

Background: 

Article 23 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law required the city to enact laws prohibiting acts such as treason, secession, sedition, and subversion against the Central People's Government.

Protest: 

On July 1, 2003, around 500,000 people marched through downtown Hong Kong to protest the proposed national security legislation, fearing it would undermine civil liberties and freedom of expression.

Outcome: 

The massive protest led to the withdrawal of the bill after key political allies pulled their support. The government deferred and later removed the bill from the legislature.

Significance: 

This was one of the largest protests since the 1997 handover and demonstrated the strength of public opposition to perceived erosions of Hong Kong’s freedoms.

2012 Patriotic (Moral and National) Education Controversy

Background: 

The Hong Kong government proposed introducing a new school curriculum called Moral and National Education (MNE), aiming to foster national identity and teach about China’s history and culture.

Controversy: 

The curriculum was criticized for its pro-Communist Party stance and for disparaging Western democratic systems, raising concerns about political indoctrination and “brainwashing”.

Protests: 

Student groups like Scholarism and large segments of the public organized protests, including an occupation of government headquarters, hunger strikes, and mass rallies. At one point, up to 120,000 people demonstrated outside government offices.

Outcome: 

On September 8, 2012, the government backed down, making the classes optional rather than mandatory, following weeks of intense public pressure.

2014 Umbrella Revolution (Umbrella Movement)

Background: 

Triggered by a decision from China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee that restricted the nomination process for Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, effectively allowing only Beijing-approved candidates to run.

Protests: 

Starting on September 26, 2014, students and pro-democracy activists began a series of sit-in street protests, occupying major city intersections, particularly in Admiralty, Causeway Bay, and Mong Kok.

Symbol: 

Protesters used umbrellas to shield themselves from police pepper spray and tear gas, giving the movement its name.

Scale: 

At its peak, the movement saw over 100,000 people occupying parts of the city, bringing daily life to a standstill.

Demands: 

Protesters called for genuine universal suffrage and the right to freely nominate and elect Hong Kong’s leader.

Outcome: 

The protests ended in December 2014 without the government meeting the protesters’ demands, but the movement had a lasting impact on Hong Kong’s political consciousness and activism.

These three events are pivotal in Hong Kong’s recent history, each reflecting deep public concerns about autonomy, freedom, and identity under Chinese sovereignty.

Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have tightened its control over various regions and policies, often at the expense of commitments or promises made in international agreements or foundational documents.

1. Tibet Autonomy:

After promising Tibet a form of self-rule when it became part of China, the Chinese Communist Party gradually took away its autonomy, imposed direct control, and restricted Tibetan traditions and religious practices.

2. Hong Kong Autonomy and Suffrage:

Despite promising Hong Kong a high level of self-government and the eventual right to freely elect its leaders, the Chinese Communist Party has steadily reduced Hong Kong’s autonomy, tightened political control, and failed to deliver on promised democratic reforms.

3. WTO Market Opening:

Although China promised to open its markets and allow fair competition for foreign businesses when it joined the World Trade Organization, it has kept many restrictions in place, favoring its own companies and limiting foreign access in important industries.

4. 1989 Tiannanmen Square
The 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre began with large student-led protests in Beijing demanding political reform, greater freedoms, and an end to corruption. By early June, hundreds of thousands of people had gathered in and around Tiananmen Square, drawing support from workers, farmers, and others across China. On the night of June 3–4, the Chinese government sent in troops and tanks to forcibly clear the square, resulting in soldiers opening fire on protesters and bystanders, with hundreds—possibly thousands—killed and many more arrested. The government has since suppressed all public discussion of the event, and it remains a highly sensitive topic in China.