HONG KONG, July 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Anti-government protesters in Hong Kong took over key roads early Monday (Jul 1) morning ahead of a mass planned pro-democracy rally on the anniversary of the city’s handover to China.
The semi-autonomous city has been shaken by historic demonstrations in the last three weeks, when protesters demanded the withdrawal of a bill that would allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland.
Tensions spiked once more in the financial hub as dawn rose on Monday after small groups of mainly young, masked protesters seized three key thoroughfares, deploying metal and plastic barriers to block the way.
Rows of riot police with helmets and shields faced protesters on one of the streets but did not move against the barricades.
The ongoing rallies are the latest manifestation of growing fears that China is stamping down on the city’s freedoms and culture with the help of the finance hub’s pro-Beijing leaders.
Although Hong Kong was returned from British to Chinese rule on Jul 1, 1997, it is still administered separately under an arrangement known as “one country, two systems”.
The city enjoys freedoms unseen on the autocratic mainland, but many residents fear Beijing is already reneging on that deal.
Pro-democracy activists have organised a march every handover anniversary, calling for greater democratic freedoms – such as the right to elect the city’s leader.
They have mustered large crowds in recent years but have failed to win any concessions from Beijing.
This year’s rally comes against the backdrop of unprecedented anti-government protests over the last three weeks and anger over police using tear gas and rubber bullets to clear crowds.
RESISTANCE IS LONG TERM
The spark for the current wave of protests was an attempt by chief executive Carrie Lam to pass the Beijing-backed extradition law, which she has now postponed following the huge public backlash.
But the demonstrations have morphed into a wider movement against Lam’s administration and Beijing.
Lam – who has kept out of the public eye since her climbdown and has record low approval ratings – is expected to attend a flag-raising ceremony on the harbourfront early Monday, marking the moment the city returned to Chinese ownership 22 years ago.
