Hong Kong Protests

The Hong Kong protests, which began in 2019, arose primarily in response to a proposed law that would allow extradition to mainland China, raising fears about diminishing freedoms. Protesters, many of whom valued Hong Kong's autonomy and democratic rights, organized mass demonstrations, demanding a withdrawal of the bill, government accountability, and political reforms. The movement gained international attention and support but faced a heavy police response. Over time, it evolved into a broader struggle against perceived Beijing encroachments on Hong Kong's political and civil liberties, highlighting tensions between local aspirations and mainland China's control.