The Battle Of Hong Kong

‘Magic: The Gathering’ Pro Shows Support For Hong Kong Protests During Broadcast
By Matt Perez

Lee Shi Tian at "Magic: The Gathering" Mythic Championship V.
Topline: In what now can be considered a contrarian move for major American companies, Wizards of the Coast has seemingly allowed pro player Lee Shi Tian to show solidarity to Hong Kong protesters during its broadcast of the Magic: The Gathering Mythic Championship V.
As Tian walked on stage at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California, he donned a red scarf over his face and covered one of his eyes, both symbols of support for the Hong Kong pro-Democracy protests.
During a post-match interview where Tian took the win to break into the tournament's top 8, Tian said, "Life has been very tough in my hometown, in Hong Kong. ... It feels so good to play as a free man."
The broadcast did not cut away and there has thus far not been any action against Tian for the demonstration.
Tian told Polygon he was inspired by the actions of Chung “blitzchung” Ng Wai, who was suspended and temporarily stripped of prize winnings by game company Activision Blizzard for comments made supporting Hong Kong protests during a broadcasted Hearthstone competition this month.
According to Polygon, Tian pulled a similar move in 2014 during the Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour, where he played a deck named “Umbrella Revolution,” a reference to the protests in Hong Kong over electoral reform at the time.
Forbes has reached out for comment.

Key background: Major companies from the NBA to Apple have been criticized for curtailing criticism of China in response to the threat of losing the country's business. 

Fans of Activision Blizzard have been calling for a boycott of their games like Hearthstone and the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare due to the suspensions of “blitzchung,” and three college players who held up a sign that said “Free Hong Kong, Boycott Blizz.” 

Last Friday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Marco Rubio and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, signed a letter addressed to Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick criticizing the company’s actions. 

For Wizards of the Coast, its parent company, Hasbro, has steadily decreased its manufacturing in China to avoid the crush of impending Trump tariffs against the country.

Crucial quote: From the joint letter to Kotick: “Because your company is such a pillar of the gaming industry, your disappointing decision could have a chilling effect on gamers who seek to use their platform to promote human rights and basic freedoms.”

What to watch for: How other game companies—especially those with large markets in China—react to players showing solidarity with Hong Kong protesters.