Walt Disney Co`s live-action remake of "Mulan" opened on Thursday to a lacklustre reception in Hong Kong, where pro-democracy activists have been leading calls to boycott the movie. 
 
Based on a Chinese folk story, the film has provoked a backlash in the Chinese-ruled city and elsewhere over its star`s comments of support for Hong Kong police during protests last year and for being partly filmed in the Xinjiang region.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/hollywood/news-disneys-mulan-opens-weak-in-china-with-232-million-at-box-offices-327331" hreflang="en">Disney's 'Mulan' opens weak in China with $23.2 million at box offices</a> 
 
"I will not watch Mulan because of its cast and filming location," said 24-year-old clerk Cherry Lee as she passed by the Mong Kok Broadway Theatre screening the film. Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong and internet users in Taiwan and Thailand have been among those promoting hashtags "#BoycottMulan" and "#BanMulan" on Twitter, following this month`s launch of the film on Disney`s streaming platform.

Most Hong Kong cinemas had their first showing of Mulan on Thursday morning. At Mong Kok Broadway Theatre, in a popular protest area, Mulan sold one third of the tickets at its debut according to frontdesk staff, around 20% fewer than local movie "i`m livin` it" by Hing Fan Wong, which debuted at the same time. 
 
"I’ve known the story of Mulan since I was little," said retiree Chan, as he entered the cinema. He declined to give his first name to avoid getting involved in the controversy. At Festival Grand Cinema in another district, Christopher Nolan`s `Tenet`, which debuted in Hong Kong on Sept. 20, sold more tickets on Thursday morning than 'Mulan', staff said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/china-bars-media-coverage-of-disneys-mulan-after-xinjiang-backlash-sources-326579" hreflang="en">China bars media coverage of Disney's 'Mulan' after Xinjiang backlash: Sources</a> 
 
Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 'Mulan' also had a cold reception in mainland China, where Chinese authorities had told major media outlets not to cover the film's release in the wake of the uproar. 
 
Internationally, the criticism has focused on the movie being partly filmed in Xinjiang, where China`s clamp-down on ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims has been criticised by some governments and rights groups. 
In Hong Kong, the star of the movie, mainland Chinese-born actress Liu Yifei, has angered democracy supporters after showing support for Hong Kong police in a social media post last year.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/disney-very-pleased-with-mulan-debut-ahead-of-china-opening-326414" hreflang="en">Disney 'very pleased' with 'Mulan' debut ahead of China opening</a> 
 
Retiree Kwok, 65, who declined to give his first name, said he liked the movie because it represented values such as "safeguarding the country and helping families" at a time when China was being "suppressed by the United States.''

"Lui Yifei represents Mulan well, she is very brave and willing to fight against evil," Kwok said.

Walt Disney Co`s live-action remake of "Mulan" opened on Thursday to a lacklustre reception in Hong Kong, where pro-democracy activists have been leading calls to boycott the movie.

Walt Disney Co`s live-action remake of "Mulan" opened on Thursday to a lacklustre reception in Hong Kong, where pro-democracy activists have been leading calls to boycott the movie. Based on a Chinese folk story, the film has provoked a backlash in the Chinese-ruled city and elsewhere over its star`s comments of support for Hong Kong police during protests last year and for being partly filmed in the Xinjiang region. Also read: Disney's 'Mulan' opens weak in China with $23.2 million at box offices "I will not watch Mulan because of its cast and filming location," said 24-year-old clerk Cherry Lee as she passed by the Mong Kok Broadway Theatre screening the film. Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong and internet users in Taiwan and Thailand have been among those promoting hashtags "#BoycottMulan" and "#BanMulan" on Twitter, following this month`s launch of the film on Disney`s streaming platform. Most Hong Kong cinemas had their first showing of Mulan on Thursday morning. At Mong Kok Broadway Theatre, in a popular protest area, Mulan sold one third of the tickets at its debut according to frontdesk staff, around 20% fewer than local movie "i`m livin` it" by Hing Fan Wong, which debuted at the same time. "I’ve known the story of Mulan since I was little," said retiree Chan, as he entered the cinema. He declined to give his first name to avoid getting involved in the controversy. At Festival Grand Cinema in another district, Christopher Nolan`s `Tenet`, which debuted in Hong Kong on Sept. 20, sold more tickets on Thursday morning than 'Mulan', staff said. Also read: China bars media coverage of Disney's 'Mulan' after Xinjiang backlash: Sources Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 'Mulan' also had a cold reception in mainland China, where Chinese authorities had told major media outlets not to cover the film's release in the wake of the uproar. Internationally, the criticism has focused on the movie being partly filmed in Xinjiang, where China`s clamp-down on ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims has been criticised by some governments and rights groups. In Hong Kong, the star of the movie, mainland Chinese-born actress Liu Yifei, has angered democracy supporters after showing support for Hong Kong police in a social media post last year. Also read: Disney 'very pleased' with 'Mulan' debut ahead of China opening Retiree Kwok, 65, who declined to give his first name, said he liked the movie because it represented values such as "safeguarding the country and helping families" at a time when China was being "suppressed by the United States.'' "Lui Yifei represents Mulan well, she is very brave and willing to fight against evil," Kwok said.

Disney's 'Mulan' gets cold reception in boycott-leading Hong Kong

Protests resume in Hong Kong as 800,000 people take to the streets.

Protests resume in Hong Kong

High-Profile Arrests Ahead Of The Weekend In Hong Kong

Gravitas: Hong Kong: Police cracks down on Activists

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joshua-wong-poster-child-of-hong-kongs-umbrella-movement-227835">Hong Kong student leaders</a> on Thursday announced a two-week boycott of lectures from the upcoming start of term, as they seek to keep protesters on the streets and pressure on the government.

The financial hub has been rocked by three months of unrest, with students making up a large number of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-mounting-violence-and-warnings-from-china-hong-kong-protesters-flood-streets-in-peaceful-march-243848">the pro-democracy protesters</a> taking to the streets almost daily.

Student leaders representing most of the city's major universities said students will miss lectures between September 2 the planned start of the new term, and September 13.

They threatened further action if the government does not adequately respond to the protesters' five demands, which include spiking a controversial extradition bill, universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into alleged police abuses during the protests.

"Two weeks should be enough for the government to think through how to respond," said Davin Wong, acting president of the Hong Kong University Students' Union.

"As the situation has gotten more intense, we believe the social situation will bring more students into the boycott."

Wong said students will be encouraged to take time to "understand what happened in our society, what we can do for our city's future."

Students have featured prominently in the weeks of protests that have rocked Hong Kong.

The demonstrations were sparked by an attempt by the city's government to bring in a bill that would have allowed for extradition to China.

But they quickly morphed into a wider pro-democracy campaign, in a city where young people are boxed in by the soaring cost of living and worsening job prospects.

Hong Kong student leaders on Thursday announced a two-week boycott of lectures from the upcoming start of term, as they seek to keep protesters on the streets and pressure on the government.

Hong Kong student leaders on Thursday announced a two-week boycott of lectures from the upcoming start of term, as they seek to keep protesters on the streets and pressure on the government. The financial hub has been rocked by three months of unrest, with students making up a large number of the pro-democracy protesters taking to the streets almost daily. Student leaders representing most of the city's major universities said students will miss lectures between September 2 the planned start of the new term, and September 13. They threatened further action if the government does not adequately respond to the protesters' five demands, which include spiking a controversial extradition bill, universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into alleged police abuses during the protests. "Two weeks should be enough for the government to think through how to respond," said Davin Wong, acting president of the Hong Kong University Students' Union. "As the situation has gotten more intense, we believe the social situation will bring more students into the boycott." Wong said students will be encouraged to take time to "understand what happened in our society, what we can do for our city's future." Students have featured prominently in the weeks of protests that have rocked Hong Kong. The demonstrations were sparked by an attempt by the city's government to bring in a bill that would have allowed for extradition to China. But they quickly morphed into a wider pro-democracy campaign, in a city where young people are boxed in by the soaring cost of living and worsening job prospects.

Hong Kong students to boycott university lectures as protests continue