HONG KONG -- Hong Kong's High Court on Wednesday granted a government plea to reconsider a ruling against the banning of a popular protest song.

Judge Anthony Chan gave the green light for the appeal "due to the importance of national security." A date for reexamining the case has not been set, but the appeal renews concern over the separation of powers and judicial independence that were long-standing pillars of the Chinese territory's status as an international financial center.