The Nature of Water, a historic photojournalism and commentary book, captures the people, places and culture that shaped the 2019 anti-extradition law protests and the ultimate fate of Hong Kong.

Protesters using umbrellas to shield bursts of water from the police’s water cannon. Photo: Rémy Soubanère.

The title refers to the protesters’ self-proclaimed philosophy in the face of police action, inspired by the Bruce Lee quote – ”Be Water.”

Over 10,000 gathered at Edinburgh Place in Central on 27 June evening calling on G20 countries to raise concerns about Hong Kong. Photo: PH Yang.

Over 50 photographers contributed to the book.

Don't Shoot Our Kids
People gathering at Central for a sit-in on June 14, 2019, protesting against police brutality and the extradition bill. Photo: PH Yang.

“With intense and intimate photojournalism, protest artwork created by the citizens of Hong Kong, and scannable content that allows readers to hear the stories of photojournalists in their own words, this book is an artifact and a record of the historic events shaping Hong Kong, politics in the Pacific Rim, and the world at large,” a press statement read.

Hong Kong: Citizens Protest Proposed Extradition Law
A protestor tries to extinguish a tear gas cartridge in a protest on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China. on October 1, 2019. Photo: Aaron Guy Leroux/Sipa USA.

“[B]ehaving as water, flowing en masse through the city in search of gathering moments, citizens of all ages carried out several of the largest protests ever documented in the world,” it added.

A protestor holding a white flower, in an anti-extradition bill protests on June 16, 2019, where an estimated 2 million people took to the streets. Photo: Kiran Ridley.

Visit the website for more information.

Police charging into the New Park Mall on July 14, 2019. Photo: Aaron Guy Leroux/Sipa USA.

The Nature of Water – a 12″ x 10″ premium linen hardcover book – ships worldwide. The 250-page volume can be purchased directly for HK$908, CAD150 or US$114.

People gather at a makeshift shrine to mourn the death of university student Alex Chow on November 9, 2019. Photo: Oliver Haynes.
The wall of the Bank of China in flames as protests escalate in Hong Kong Island on November 11, 2019. Photo by Kristýna Macháčková.
A rally in Causeway Bay on December 8, 2019 where people protested against the extradition bill with chants such as “Five demands! Not one less!” Photo: Ben Marans.
A young boy marches while waving a flag during a pro-democracy March on the six-month anniversary of the protests on December 8th, 2019. Photo: Madeleine Kelly/IAPP.
Continuation of Light
A mother holding her son during the vigil for the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Massacre on June 4, 2019. Photo: Katherine Li.
An elderly woman presents herself to riot police pearched on the roof of Mong Kong Police Station, imploring them to shoot her and not the protestors on October 6, 2019. Photo: Aaron Guy Leroux/Sipa USA.
Adam Malamis
Protesters using umbrellas and plastic tubes in violent clashes with the police. Photo: Adam Malamis.
Adam Malamis
Geared up police coming out of a police station to disperse protesters. Photo: Adam Malamis.
Anti-Government Protests in Hong Kong
Protestors climbing the divider on the overpass after an anti-extradition bill rally. Photo: Keith Tsuji.

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