Hong Kong Colonial Flag

Further to my earlier post about Hong Kong locals wearing the union jack (link), it turns out that a local pro-Hong Kong protest group has recently been using the colonial flag in protests.  Unsurprisingly this has provoking strong statements from pro-China politicians which have been prominently reported in the local press.

The Hong Kong Autonomous Movement claims that the displays of the Hong Kong British flag are not a call for a return to colonialism. Instead, they claim it is, “the defence of the lion and dragon and the blending of the East and West.” source: China Daily Mail

Protesters carry colonial flags on the anniversary of the Handover. July 1, 2012. Photo credit: AP/ Vincent Yung.

Lu Ping, former director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said those who do not recognise they are Chinese should renounce their nationality. Asked about the matter yesterday before the new Legislative Council, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying did not say whether he thought there was a growing movement for independence, but said there was no need to use the colonial flags to express discontent source: scmp

Members of "We are Hongkongers, Not Chinese" wave Hong Kong Flag of the colonial era in front of Central Government's Liason Office on 1st October 2012. Photo:SCMP

You tube video of protests link

And a cartoon from the South China Morning Post

I've not talked to any locals about this but I should say that I think using the colonial flag for protest and wearing the union jack for fashion are quite different statements.  But its interesting to see.  

And for fun, another famous image of the 1997 handover that I should have used in my earlier post!