Protests in Hong Kong: From Confucianism to Levinas' Substitution

iafor Conference: ACCS2020

2019 was a tumultuous year for Hong Kong. The protests began in June with the concern of the extradition bill, but throughout the time, demands have emerged: withdraw the bill, for officers to step down, an inquiry into police brutality, amnesty for arrested protesters, and free elections. The call for Hong Kong independence has also increased and activist Edward Leung, who was for Hong Kong independence and jailed for 6 years on account of social unrest in 2016, became the role model of protestors. Although Hong Kong was colonized by Great Britain for 155 years till 1997, Confucianism has been deeply rooted in Hong Kong and this is reflected in the thinking of Baby Boomers Generation and Generation X. Generation Y and Generation Z are acting however differently because of the use of technology and the rise of Christianity in Hong Kong. The differences between these generations can be easily seen in the protests since June. This presentation will first discuss the meanings and necessity of revolution from the perspective of Confucianism, then analyse the decision of Edward Leung about the application of asylum with Levinas’ ethic theory and the concept of “substitution”. After that, the focus will shift to how this influenced young protestors, especially those who are still studying in secondary school or at university but more willing to risk their future to fight for justices and democracy of Hong Kong

#Hongkong #postcolonialism #Levinas #substitution #confucianism

https://papers.iafor.org/submission56966/