Localist camp

Localist camp
本土派
Foundedc. 2010s
IdeologyMajority:
Localism (HK)
Liberalism (HK)
Hong Kong nationalism[1]
Factions:
Left-wing localism[2]
Conservative localism
Libertarianism
Progressivism
Anti-communism
Hong Kong independence
ColoursBlue, Yellow
Legislative Council
0 / 90 (0%)
District Councils
0 / 470 (0%)
Localist camp
Traditional Chinese本土派
Localist and self-determination groups
Traditional Chinese本土自決派

Localist camp or localist and self-determination groups refers to the various groups with localist ideologies in Hong Kong. It emerged from post-80s social movements in the late 2000s which centred on the preservation of the city's autonomy and local lifestyles and opposed the perceived growing encroachment of the Chinese government on the city's management of its own political, economic, and social affairs.[3][4]

Although grouped together with the pro-democracy camp, they have a distinct view[5] as they advocate for Hongkongersright to self-determination. While milder elements advocates for greater autonomy while remaining part of China, the more radical elements call for the return to British rule or full independence as a sovereign state. Some also advocate for a more aggressive and militant stance against the mainland government in defending local interests.[6] For that reason, they are labelled as "radicals" and "separatists" by the Chinese government.[7][8]

The localists gained significant traction following widespread protests in 2014 against the Chinese government's decision to pre-screen Chief Executive candidates before allowing them to be chosen by the general public in the 2017 election. Following these protests, a number of localist political parties were formed, organising protests and participated in Legislative Council elections. They won a total numbers of six seats (excluding Claudia Mo) with 19 per cent of vote share (excluding Claudia Mo and Gary Fan) in the 2016 Legislative Council election.

After the 2016 election, localists such as Nathan Law, Lau Siu-lai, Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching were unseated from the Legislative Council over the oath-taking controversy. In the aftermath of the 2019-2020 Hong Kong protests, localists were largely absorbed into the broader spectrum of the pro-democracy camp. As a result of the 2020 national security law, many localist parties dissolved and many notable localist figures were arrested or went into exile.

  1. ^ Andrew J. Nathan; Brian C. H. Fong; Jieh-min Wu (30 December 2020). China's Influence and the Center-periphery Tug of War in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Indo-Pacific. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-28426-3.
  2. ^ 袁彌昌 (10 September 2016). 筆陣:香港新左翼的崛起 /文:袁彌昌. Ming Pao (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Hong Kong suffers identity crisis as China's influence grows". The Guardian. 18 April 2016. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  4. ^ "Localism: Why is support for the political perspective growing - and who's behind it?". 1 July 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  5. ^ 李, 立峯 (7 July 2016). "從不滿政治到不滿社會:本土派和民主派支持者的差異". Ming Pao. Archived from the original on 1 October 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  6. ^ Hewitt, Duncan (8 April 2015). "Hong Kong's Clashes Over Mainland Shoppers Show Rising Cultural Tensions With China". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  7. ^ "旺角騷亂 京定性本土激進分離組織策動 議員:為23條立法鋪路". Apple Daily. 13 February 2016. Archived from the original on 15 July 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  8. ^ Wong, Alan (21 February 2016). "China Labels Protesters 'Radical Separatists,' and They Agree". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 January 2024.

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