Hong Kong cancels famous festival as “too risky” as tourist numbers plunge and protests continue
Tens of thousands of people took to Hong Kong’s streets in a new wave of pro-democracy protests, breaking a rare pause in six months of violence.
World
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Police fired tear gas and pepper spray in Hong Kong on Sunday as tens of thousands of black-clad protesters flooded into the streets, a week after pro-democracy candidates scored a landslide local election victory.
Dozens of hardcore protesters set up roadblocks and vandalised some shops and restaurants linked to China.
The rally heralded an end to a rare lull and a return to the large-scale demonstrations that Hong Kongers have staged for nearly six months, fuelled by growing fears that authoritarian China is stamping out the city’s liberties.
It also marked a resumption of the increasingly violent confrontations between protesters and police, with officers shooting volleys of tear gas at crowds that included children.
The day’s main rally in the Tsim Sha Tsui neighbourhood was one of three called for Sunday, as protesters seek to keep pressure on the government after the November 24 district council elections.
“The government are still not listening to us so the protests will go on, they will not stop,” said a 20-year-old student who gave only his surname, Chen.
“It is hard to predict what will happen. But the people are still very angry and want change.” The rally started peacefully, with people flooding to the waterside neighbourhood by ferry and train.
“Never forget why you started,” read a banner carried by protesters taking part in the march.
A little girl with her hair in pigtails led chants reiterating the movement’s demands for direct elections of the city legislature and leadership.
But as part of the march ran into a phalanx of police, protesters were told to move back and warned they were straying from the permitted route.
First pepper spray and then tear gas was fired at several locations, in one case catching in the crossfire an older man selling drinks and ice creams from a converted moped.
“I’ve sold all my drinks but it seems that I can’t leave now,” he told reporters, his eyes streaming.
Police said they used tear gas after some protesters threw “smoke bombs”.
Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed chief Carrie Lam has offered no additional concessions in the wake of the elections, and protesters said they felt compelled to return to the streets.
“The government has given no real response, it’s unacceptable,” 19-year-old student Edmund told AFP.
“We have to keep going. We are fighting for our freedom, not just our own freedom but the next generation too. If we give up now all will be lost.” Earlier, a smaller rally marched peacefully to the US consulate to thank American politicians for passing legislation backing the protest movement.
The main rally dispersed as night fell but some protesters moved to other parts of the city, with fresh tear gas clashes after some activists in Whampoa district vandalised businesses seen as being pro-Beijing.
FEARS OF FRESH VIOLENCE
Months into the huge protests kicked off by opposition to a bill allowing extradition to China, demonstrators still appear to command widespread support — with the victory of pro-democracy candidates undercutting government claims of a “silent majority” opposed to the movement.
Ahead of Sunday’s rallies there were calls from organisers for people to remain “highly restrained”, with fears of a return to the violence that has marked more recent months in the political crisis.
Operators of the city’s subway, which has been repeatedly vandalised after stations were closed ahead of protests and police officers were ferried to rally sites, said it would resume full service on Monday.
But flare-ups of violence remain.
On Saturday night a video in Mongkok district showed a protester brutally assaulting a man as he attempted to clear a barricade.
A voice in the video mocks the man, who stumbled and slumped over after being hit across the head with a heavy metal object.
In a statement, police confirmed the incident: “So far no one has been arrested. The victim suffered a serious head injury and was sent to hospital.” In a radio interview on Sunday morning, police chief Tang Ping-keung slammed the violence.
“It could have killed him,” Tang said.
HK SCRAPS FAMED EVENT FOR FIRST TIME
Hong Kong’s famous Lunar New Year parade has been cancelled with protests and tensions deeming it “too risky”, as new tourism figures show more one and a half million visitors stayed away last month.
Figures released today by the Hong Kong Tourism Board showed there were 3.3 million visitors to the city in October, a drop of 44 per cent for the same month last year.
It is the worst monthly results since government protests began in June and is similar to a plunge level seen at the height of the SARS outbreak in 2003.
Officials says the visitor numbers are not expected to bounce back this year and uncertainty remains.
October is usually among the busiest for the city as it includes the seven-day ‘golden week’ national holiday that sees millions of visitors particularly from mainland China.
In light of continuing protests, the Tourism Board also announced it would cancel for the first time the city’s famous January 25 Lunar parade, usually along popular tourist strips including Nathan Road and Canton Road, the scene of some of the fiercest fighting between police and protesters in recent weeks.
“It is too risky to accommodate crowds and maintain public order,” the Board’s executive director Dane Cheng said, adding instead a food and music festival would be held.
New Year fireworks would also be more subdued and on a smaller scale.
Council elections last week saw pro-democracy movement candidates win by a landslide, getting almost 90 per cent of seats which has renewed the push now for democratic reform that would allow locals to elect their leaders in the territory’s legislative government.
They have vowed to continue to hold mass rallies and flash mob protests until their demands are met.
The Beijing – backed Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam has dismissed the idea but said dialogue would restore order. Her Commerce and Economic Development Secretary Edward Yau was equally optimistic.
MORE NEWS:
Dark past of London Bridge terrorist revealed
Aussie expats caught up in Hong Kong turmoil
Top cards for frequent flyer points
“The government has been trying every effort to bring the society back to normal. While having a difficult time, economic fundamentals remain the same. Hong Kong remains a city where we welcome businesses.
“We’re also seeing prospects of reconciliation and the calming down of things, as evidenced by the smooth and peaceful completion of the major election at the district level.”
Originally published as Hong Kong cancels famous festival as “too risky” as tourist numbers plunge and protests continue
Zelensky surrenders to Donald Trump
Volodymyr Zelensky appears to have caved to Donald Trump, agreeing to sign a deal he’d partly rejected just days ago.
‘Should be an empire’: Trump’s ambition
Donald Trump’s persistent praise for dictators and haranguing of democratic leaders has bigger ramifications than we’ve realised.