The negotiations over Hong Kong's future after 1997, the year the British were supposed to transfer its sovereignty to China, took place in the 1980s. At first, the overall atmosphere in Hong Kong about the handover was not worried -- but the mood of the colony changed drastically after June 4, 1989 in the wake of the Tiananmen Massacre.
Three decades later, rumors that the Chinese People's Liberation Army was marching into Hong Kong abounded during the early days of the ongoing anti-extradition movement. This movement, which has brought up to 2 million Hong Kongers out on to the streets, opposes a law that would have permitted Beijing to request anyone in Hong Kong for trial in the mainland. The rumors - while natural fears in Hong Kong - were also well-organized, with fake clips of tanks marching in town circulating through social media, suggesting an effort orchestrated beyond Hong Kong's borders.
Three decades later, rumors that the Chinese People's Liberation Army was marching into Hong Kong abounded during the early days of the ongoing anti-extradition movement. This movement, which has brought up to 2 million Hong Kongers out on to the streets, opposes a law that would have permitted Beijing to request anyone in Hong Kong for trial in the mainland. The rumors - while natural fears in Hong Kong - were also well-organized, with fake clips of tanks marching in town circulating through social media, suggesting an effort orchestrated beyond Hong Kong's borders.
