Protest anthem banned in Hong Kong schools as new security office opens

Glory to Hong Kong deemed politically dangerous, while China opens office to oversee enforcement of sweeping national security legislation

China has continued to tighten its grip on Hong Kong by banning the singing of the unofficial pro-democracy anthem in schools and turning a city centre hotel into the new headquarters of its national security office.

Hong Kong's education secretary, Kevin Yeung, said on Wednesday that Glory to Hong Kong, a song written last year which grew from the popular street protests in 2019, would be outlawed in schools.

Responding to a question in parliament, Yeung said in a statement that individuals and groups with ulterior motives have deliberately misled and incited students to express their political stance", and the department and schools were obliged" to stop it.