Online Discussion on the Right in Hong Kong

This event is online as a podcast here.

Announcement: The Hong Kong protest movement last year has often been understood as ‘non-ideological’, supported by a broad part of Hong Kong society rather than specific factions. At the same time, support for right-wing ideas and figures have gained traction – especially in the time leading up to the recent US elections. In contrast, left-wing and anti-capitalist formations are sidelined in Hong Kong, despite the city being one of the most inequitable ones in the neoliberal global system, vigorously maintained by its different sovereigns and protectors.

In this talk, we will speak with Promise Li of Lausan Collective, who has critically explored the pro-Trump factions in the localist movement in a recent essay. These elements reveal important truths about Hong Kong’s complex relationship to its own colonial legacy and the contradictions of Hongkongers’ visions of democracy and self-determination. In light of the draconian national security laws and the widespread imprisonment of pro-democracy activists, journalists, and politicians, we will also be discussing how the struggle can continue and move beyond its limitations, and why it remains important to support Hong Kong’s fight for freedom internationally.

Date: Saturday, February 20, 2021
Time: 4 p.m. CET/Europe – 11 p.m. CST/China – 10 a.m. EDT/U.S.
Topic: Facing the Right in the Hong Kong Movement
Speaker: Promise Li
Moderators: Jule Pfeffer + Ralf Ruckus

The speaker: Promise LI is a member of Lausan Collective, originally from Hong Kong and Los Angeles. He is also active in U.S. socialist organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America and Solidarity, and was a former tenant organizer in Los Angeles Chinatown.

Reading list for the event’s Q&A:
It’s time for Hong Kong to reckon with its far-right (Promise Li)
Facing down global ‘Trumpism’ and Hong Kong’s far-right (Promise Li and Matt Dagher-Margosian)
Facing down the Hong Kong protests’ right-wing turn (Zoe Zhao)
Chin Wan’s right-wing localism threatens Hong Kong’s future (Promise Li)

Sponsors: This event is co-sponsored by gongchao.org, Made in China Journal, positions politics, and Critical China Scholars. The foundation Stiftung Menschenwürde und Arbeitswelt (Berlin, Germany) provided financial support for the technical platform.

For other events, please, see the “China and the Left”-series page.