Violence in Hong Kong: Criminal, Political or the Work of a VTSM?

Abstract

This briefing note explores the argument that the alleged July 22nd, 2019, attacks on protesters in Hong Kong were perpetrated by a group that can be classified as a Violent Transnational Social Movement (VTSM). When scrutinized, the alleged acts of violence and observed motivations of the United Bamboo triad, plus their transnational and identity-based nature of operation, suggest that the United Bamboo triad may be a VTSM.