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'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.

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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.’

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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.’

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Inhibitor of social change, recipe for economic self-sufficiency or a driver of political chaos?
Insight, Politics, Economy Omar Khan Insight, Politics, Economy Omar Khan

Inhibitor of social change, recipe for economic self-sufficiency or a driver of political chaos?

An investigation into the ‘yellow economy’ phenomenon, the Insight piece, ‘The ‘yellow economic circle’: Inhibitor of social change, recipe for economic self-sufficiency or a driver of political chaos?’ provides a basic outline of the submovement and explores the various rhetorics that have been expressed over its implications. Assessing its involvement in both political and economic discourses, this article promises an in-depth examination of the ‘yellow economic circle’, its origins, its impacts and its sustainability in the long-term.

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‘Yellow Economic Circle’: A social movement that utilises economic means to achieve political ends
Opinion, Politics, Economy Omar Khan Opinion, Politics, Economy Omar Khan

‘Yellow Economic Circle’: A social movement that utilises economic means to achieve political ends

The debates over the ‘yellow economic circle’ remains inconclusive. Due to its multifaceted nature, the extent and degree of its impact across different areas of society, the ‘yellow economic circle’ can be termed a social movement that utilises economic means to achieve political ends.

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Contingency or conditionality? How the ‘yellow economy’ must transform itself for survival
Insight, Politics, Economy Omar Khan Insight, Politics, Economy Omar Khan

Contingency or conditionality? How the ‘yellow economy’ must transform itself for survival

The ‘yellow economic circle’ has received varying degrees of contention over its survival. From initial dismissal as a potential force to be reckoned with by the officials to the recognition of its existence and condemnation of the ‘yellow effect,’ the efficacy of the movement is obvious enough but does this bode well for its long-term sustainability?

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The ‘Yellow Effect’ - how successful has the ‘yellow economic circle’ been in achieving its aims?
Insight, Politics, Economy Omar Khan Insight, Politics, Economy Omar Khan

The ‘Yellow Effect’ - how successful has the ‘yellow economic circle’ been in achieving its aims?

Often critiqued for its lack of ‘singular purpose and consciousness’, challenges to its long-term sustainability are essentially testimonials to its leaderless status and provide credibility for its somewhat organic proliferation. With no formal collective monopolising, the ‘yellow economic circle’ has defined itself as a bottom-up- ‘for the people, by the people’ - movement, generated and sustained by supporters of the anti-extradition demonstrations in 2019.

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