Thousands protest in Hong Kong over China security law proposal

[Valin]

AFP

May 24 2020

 

Police fired tear gas and water cannon at thousands of Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters who gathered Sunday against a controversial security law proposed by China, in the most intense clashes in months.

As the demonstrators and police were facing off in the semi-autonomous financial hub, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi insisted in Beijing that the proposed law must be imposed "without the slightest delay".

The planned legislation is expected to ban treason, subversion and sedition, and comes after Hong Kong was shaken last year by months of massive, often-violent protests, and repeated warnings from Beijing that it would not tolerate dissent.

With campaigners warning the proposal could spell the end of the city's treasured freedoms, thousands gathered in the busy Causeway Bay and Wan Chai districts, chanting slogans, as some masked protesters set up makeshift barricades to stop police vehicles.

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[Valin]

 

[Valin]

 

[Valin]

May 25, 2020

HONG KONG: A reader sends this photo, observing: “There were protests like this all over Hong Kong yesterday. As you can see, this was a peaceful gathering until the police started using gas and [pepper] spray.

 

 

Related: In full: 191 parliamentarians and policymakers from 23 countries slam Beijing for ‘assault’ on Hong Kong freedoms and rule of law.

[Valin]

Protests in Hong Kong as U.S. warns of sanctions

May 25 2020

The biggest protests in months hit the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday (May 24) -- this time against China's new proposed national security law.

Police used tear gas, pellet guns and water cannon to disperse crowds.

They arrested more than 180 people for unlawful assembly, misconduct and violence.

Others like nineteen-year-old David Wong remain concerned the law will limit freedom given the city under 'One Country Two Systems'.

"It was supposed to be Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong, but with the new security law it has changed entirely."

Some people on Sunday chanted or waved flags to support Hong Kong independence, contradicting Beijing's view of Hong Kong as wholly part of China.

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[Valin]

 

[Valin]

Beijing’s message to HK: ‘We waited for you guys long enough’

China’s frustration with territory behind decision to push ahead with security law

Tom Mitchell in Singapore and Xinning Liu in Beijing

May 25 2020

 

[Valin]

Hong Kong Braces for Downtown Protests on China-Backed Laws

Natalie Lung and Iain Marlow

Updated on May 26, 2020, 8:06 AM CDT

Hong Kong is bracing for what could be its biggest day of protests in months, with pro-democracy groups calling for a general strike against China’s latest moves to increase control of the city.

Protests are planned for Wednesday near the Legislative Council building in central Hong Kong, where lawmakers plan to hold a hearing on a bill that would criminalize disrespect toward China’s national anthem. They are also fighting against China’s plans to impose a national security law that opponents fear will curtail essential freedoms and criticism of the Communist Party.

The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, which represents 145,000 members, has called for a general strike. More than a dozen high school student groups have also issued a joint statement urging their peers -- newly returned to campuses following months of closures induced by the coronavirus -- to strike.

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[Valin]

May 26 2020

The new law could be implemented within months, but what's China really trying to achieve, and why now? NTD spoke with a China analyst about how the effects of this law will be felt far beyond Hong Kong's borders.

[Valin]