All Articles

One Year Ago Today: Hong Kong’s Extradition Bill
Opinion, Politics Omar Khan Opinion, Politics Omar Khan

One Year Ago Today: Hong Kong’s Extradition Bill

To mark the finale of our ‘Hong Kong: One Year Ago Today’ initiative as well as the significance of last year’s event, we reveal to you our final Opinion piece, ‘One Year Ago Today: Hong Kong’s Extradition Bill’. Reflecting on the events of last year, the article revisits ‘the rationale, the content of the bill that started it all, as well as the reasons for its widespread opposition.’

Read More
Hong Kong’s Role as ‘A Mere Pawn’ in the Game of US-China Relations

Hong Kong’s Role as ‘A Mere Pawn’ in the Game of US-China Relations

It has often been critiqued that the Hong Kong people’s trustful calls for the US President Donald Trump to ‘save’ the city during the current climate of crisis as futile and redundant in their approach. Not only are the demonstrators being used to ‘further their own ruin’ but are simply deluded by the apparent support from the Western media, equating maximum media exposure as shows of solidarity and support.

Read More
'Hong Kong Nationalism': why 'national identification' cannot be directly equated with independence
Opinion, Politics, History, Culture Omar Khan Opinion, Politics, History, Culture Omar Khan

'Hong Kong Nationalism': why 'national identification' cannot be directly equated with independence

From socio-cultural identification to the collectivisation of separatism, localism, nationalism, demands for self-autonomous rule and democracy under the same motivations of ‘Hong Kong independence,’ the article, complemented with a summary of Hong Kong’s historical past, aims to highlight the differences behind all these terms and focus on Hong Kong’s ‘core values’ and related merits.

Read More
The ‘Hong Kong problem’ and the current socio-political climate: the chicken or the egg debate
Opinion, History, Culture, Politics Omar Khan Opinion, History, Culture, Politics Omar Khan

The ‘Hong Kong problem’ and the current socio-political climate: the chicken or the egg debate

Over the last two decades, the city has witnessed a series of social conflicts over issues such as competition for school entry quotas and milk powder scandals, most of which saw clashes between ‘New Immigrants’ and members of the local community. Closer analysis reveals that events relating to promotions of ‘One China’ have repeatedly brought about clashes in Hong Kong’s society. Whilst this identity was predetermined by its historic past, the escalation of social conflicts into the current climate of social unrest suggests that conflicting interests are no longer result of cultural differences but a contradiction with local interests and Hong Kong’s ‘core values.’

Read More
Chinese Nationalism, Supporters of British Colonialism and ‘Localism’: A lack of national sentiment
Opinion, History, Culture Omar Khan Opinion, History, Culture Omar Khan

Chinese Nationalism, Supporters of British Colonialism and ‘Localism’: A lack of national sentiment

The lack of collective unity felt in Hong Kong owes massively to its historical and cultural background. Having undergone a turbulent 20th century, characterised by two regime changes in China in 1949 and 1966 respectively and later the end to British colonial rule in 1997, whilst nationalist sentiments were arguably present, they were never powerful enough to stimulate a political movement.

Read More
Hong Kong’s National Security Law: Autonomy at its End
News, Politics Omar Khan News, Politics Omar Khan

Hong Kong’s National Security Law: Autonomy at its End

In an unprecedented act of direct legislation, China’s National People’s Congress is currently in the process of drafting a national security law specific to Hong Kong.’ This article aims to contextualise the law’s implementation as well as briefly outline its potential implications. The article offers clarity over Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, as well as its framework of ‘One Country, Two Systems.’

Read More
Is this the end? –  What future holds for Hong Kongers
Opinion, Politics Omar Khan Opinion, Politics Omar Khan

Is this the end? – What future holds for Hong Kongers

From initial emigration waves in 1980s and the handover of sovereignty from Britain to China in 1997 to the 2014 Umbrella Movement and the Extradition Bill Crisis of 2019, Hong Kong has had its fair share of uncertainties throughout its history and has come out on top against all odds. However, recent events, such as the implementation of the National Security Bill, greatly threatens to compromise the city’s long-standing merits.

Read More
NOA Episode 5.2 Three Hong Kongers On A Sofa: You, Me, We
Narratives of Asia, Politics, Culture Omar Khan Narratives of Asia, Politics, Culture Omar Khan

NOA Episode 5.2 Three Hong Kongers On A Sofa: You, Me, We

In the second of our two-part podcast series, ‘Three Hong Kongers On A Sofa: You, Me, We’, continuing from where we left off last time, we will be sharing yet another series of reflections. This time, the confessions focus more on social changes in both the community and also at home. Observable changes in social behaviour and also interpersonal relations could be evidenced; whether that be with members of the public, friends and also family members.

Read More
NOA Episode 5.1 Three Hong Kongers On A Sofa: You, Me We
Narratives of Asia, Politics, Culture Omar Khan Narratives of Asia, Politics, Culture Omar Khan

NOA Episode 5.1 Three Hong Kongers On A Sofa: You, Me We

In the first of our two-part podcast series, ‘Three Hong Kongers On A Sofa: You, Me, We’, we will be sharing with you a series of reflections on last summer, touching on areas such as initial reactions to the movement, impact on daily life in Hong Kong and also observations of the various reactions and responses in the community. There will also be room for brief insight into the key features of the movement and observable differences in the city.

Read More