‘Yellow economic circle’ takes a hit as protest-friendly shops in Hong Kong back off amid uncertainty over national security law
- Looming legislation by Beijing sparks fear over shop posters and even social media remarks made by restaurant owners
- Term was coined to refer to shops supporting anti-government movement triggered last year by the now-withdrawn extradition bill
Some protest-friendly businesses dubbed “yellow shops” in Hong Kong have backed off from openly supporting the movement after the shock departure of a leading advocate in the face of the looming national security law drafted by Beijing.
The action came as opposition supporter and restaurant owner Cheung Chun-kit, 41, who runs the Lung Mun Cafe chain, announced on Facebook on Tuesday that he was quitting the “yellow economic circle”.
The term refers to operators who openly support the anti-government movement, sparked last June by the now-withdrawn extradition bill, and patrons with similar political stances choosing their services.
Supporters of such shops, who are called “yellow ribbons”, advocate spending money at these stores, and shunning those that do not support protesters. Businesses known to back the establishment or police are deemed “blue”.
Cheung said in his social media post: “This is a decision after careful thought and consideration. Lung Mun Cafe announces its withdrawal from the yellow economic circle,” adding that he had gone through a lot with Hongkongers over the past year, including personal attacks from “blue” shop owners and even other “yellow” operators.
