National anthem of Hong Kong
The national anthem of Hong Kong does not exist because Hong Kong is not a nation. Since the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, "March of the Volunteers", the national anthem of the People's Republic of China has been adopted for use in an official capacity as the representative anthem of Hong Kong SAR. It is protected by statute under the National Anthem Ordinance since 12 June 2020 and broadcast regularly on radio[1] or television stations including TVB, RTHK, ViuTV and HOY TV before the Main News or Morning News programs.
Starting from British rule in 1841 and throughout its modern history, Hong Kong has never had its own official anthem nor regional anthem. Instead, the national anthem of its mother country is adopted for use in an official capacity, and played at occasions such as major sporting events or ceremonies.
Historic national anthems
- "March of the Volunteers", the national anthem of the People's Republic of China, is the official anthem of Hong Kong after the handover from 1997 to Present
- "God Save the King", the national anthem of the British Empire which ruled British Hong Kong from 1841 to 1941 and 1945 to 1997
- "Kimigayo", the national anthem of the Empire of Japan during its military occupation of Hong Kong between 1941 to 1945
Unofficial anthems
- "Below the Lion Rock", a Cantopop song by Roman Tam, adopted as a representative anthem during the 2003 SARS outbreak[2][3]
- "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies", a song by rock band Beyond, adopted as a representative anthem during the 2014 Hong Kong protests[4]
- "Glory to Hong Kong", a protest song by Thomas dgx yhl and public netizens on LIHKG, and was the main song of 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests and was also a part of an anthem mix up gaffe. Some Hongkongers and supporters of Hong Kong independence and Democratic movement in Hong Kong deem "Glory to Hong Kong" as the anthem that reflects their real identity.[5][6][7][8][9]
References
- Natalie Wong (7 November 2020). "Hong Kong radio broadcasters to begin playing national anthem every morning in compliance with new law". South China Morning Post.
- 三大唱片聯推黃霑紀念專輯 51首金曲原汁原味 Archived February 4, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
- 港最近比較「煩」 Archived May 2, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- 黃貫中領唱海闊天空 港民激昂封香港國歌 (in Traditional Chinese). 自由時報. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
- 中英韓文網上搜「香港國歌」 《榮光》居前 Google為例 IT界：欲不顯示《榮光》理論上需下架 (in Traditional Chinese). 明報. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- Google搜香港國歌 「願榮光」居前 專家：刪除不易 (in Traditional Chinese). 聯合新聞網. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- "Listen to the Song That Hong Kong's Youthful Protesters Are Calling Their 'National Anthem'". TIME. 2019-09-12. Archived from the original on 2022-01-24. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
- Hong Kong's Summer of Unrest Has Been Drawing Inspiration From Ukraine's Winter on Fire, Time, 2019-09-24
- Hong Kong protest anthem played at Rugby Sevens series in Korea, The Korea Times, 2022-11-15