Why has a popular Cantonese song been removed from iTunes and Spotify in China?

The song was played in place of China’s national anthem at some recent events

A song which became the most-listened-to track in Hong Kong later week has been banned from streaming platforms Spotify and iTunes.

What is the song and why has it disappeared from iTunes and Spotify?

Called “Glory to Hong Kong”, the song was written in 2019 and became the unofficial anthem of Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests.

The high court in Hong Kong, where the government sought the city's court to impose an injunction to ban "Glory to Hong Kong", a song born out of the pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019. Picture: AFP via Getty Images

It includes the lyrics: "Revolution of our times. May people reign, proud and free, now and evermore. Glory be to thee Hong Kong".

Earlier this month, the Hong Kong government moved to have it entirely banned. It disappeared from streaming platforms iTunes and Spotify on Wednesday, days after it topped the iTunes chart in Hong Kong.

A decision was expected by a court on Monday, however this was postponed after the judge asked the Hong Kong government to be more specific in the scope of its request.

The application asks for permission to restrain people harbouring criminal intent from “broadcasting, performing, printing, publishing, selling, offering for sale, distributing, disseminating, displaying or reproducing” the song “in any way”. If the song is banned, anyone found distributing or playing it could be charged under the city’s National Security Law.

The song has sparked anger from authorities after it was played in place of the Chinese anthem at recent events.

Does China control Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is officially part of China, since the handover from Britain in 1997. It is meant to enjoy more freedoms than mainland China, but it has been claimed that these freedoms have been eroded in recent years.

In 2019, millions of Hong Kong citizens took to the streets to protest a proposed bill that would allow Hong Kong authorities to extradite suspected criminals to mainland China.

Meanwhile, in July 2020, China imposed a national security law on Hong Kong, which allows it to take action against anyone it believes could be deemed a threat to “national security”.

What do Spotify and iTunes say?

Local media in Hong Kong said a Spotify source claimed the distributor of ‘Glory to Hong Kong’ had removed it from the from platform. The streaming service has not commented directly.