Google vs China over Hong Kong? Officials want search results to not show protest song as anthem

A face-off appears to be brewing between Google and China over search results for the Hong Kong anthem.

Hong Kong's leader said on 13 December 2022 that he will push Google to show the Chinese national anthem instead of a protest song, when people search for Hong Kong's anthem.

In recent years, Hong Kong has seen fierce protests against increasing Chinese control and erosion of democratic freedoms.

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Hong Kong's chief executive John Lee said that it was a matter of companies acting responsibly and respecting a national anthem in the global context.

Lee's comments followed several big sporting events — including a rugby tournament in South Korea and powerlifting event in Dubai — where the pro-democracy protest song 'Glory to Hong Kong' was played as the city's anthem instead of the Chinese national anthem 'March of the Volunteers'.

(With PTI inputs)