Boycotts Used in Hong Kong Debate

Since March, the city of Hong Kong has been shaken by large anti-government protests.

The protests began over a proposed government bill allowing suspected criminals in Hong Kong to be sent to China.

Although the bill was defeated, the demonstrations have led to emotionally charged debates about the rights of Hong Kong in relation to the mainland.

Most recently, people on both sides of this debate have taken to boycott campaigns to show their anger.

They are targeting various brands and celebrities who express opposing views.

In mainland China, international luxury brands such as Versace, Dolce and Gbbana, and Givenchy have been the primary targets of this backlash.

Some Chinese Internet users posted images of T-shirts and company websites that identify Hong Kong separately form China.

Many argue that these companies are not respecting China's "one country, two systems" policy.

The majority of the brands quickly issued formal apologies in response to the public outcry.

However, some Chinese citizens felt that it was "too little too late" and vowed to continue their boycott.

On the other hand, many people in Hong Kong have expressed anger at local celebrities for their views on the ongoing protests.

Movie star Jackie Chan, K-pop singer Jackson Wang, and other Hong Kong celebrities publicly voiced their support for the Hong Kong police rather than the protestors.

These opinions were in stark contrast to those of the demonstrators, who accuse the police of excessive violence.

Actress Yifei Liu, star of Disney's upcoming live-action film "Mulan," also voiced her support for the Hong Kong police.

As a consequence, many protestors have called for a boycott of the Disney film.

Some observers have praised the various boycotts, calling them a peaceful means of expressing discontent.

Others, however, argue that it is unfair to punish people just for holding opinions that differ from one's own.

 

• debate dɪˈbeɪt  (격식을 갖춘) 토론[토의/논의] ,   논쟁, 논란

• propose  prə|poʊz  (계획·생각 등을) 제안[제의]하다 ,  청혼하다, 프러포즈하다

• demonstration  ˌdemənˈstreɪʃn  시위, 데모 (→march)

• lead to  ~로 이어지다

• charged  tʃɑːrdʒd  (어떤 감정에) 차 있는, 격앙된, 격론을 부를

• boycott  |bɔɪkɑːt  보이콧, (구입사용 등의) 거부 운동

• backlash  ˈbæklæʃ   (사회 변화 등에 대한 대중의) 반발

• identify  aɪˈdentɪfaɪ   (신원 등을) 확인하다[알아보다] ,  찾다, 발견하다 ,  (신원 등을) 알아보게[인정하게] 하다

• issue  ˈɪsjuː   발표[공표]하다 /  (걱정거리가 되는) 문제 ,   (논의논쟁의 중요한) 주제[안건], 쟁점, 사안

• outcry ˈaʊtkraɪ   (대중들의) 격렬한 반응[항의]

• vow  vaʊ  맹세[서약]하다 /  맹세, 서약

• protestor  항의[항변]하는 사람

• be in stark contrast to/with  ~와 극명한 대조를 보이다

• accuse  əˈkjuːz  고발[기소/비난]하다, 혐의를 제기하다

• excessive   ɪkˈsesɪv  지나친, 과도한

• violence  ˈvaɪələns  폭행, 폭력

• As a consequence …의 결과로서, …때문에

• call for something  (공식적으로) 요구하다  call for somebody  ~를 데리러 가다[오다]

• discontent  ˌdɪskənˈtent  불만, 불만스러운 것 (=dissatisfaction) (→contentment)