Published 10:43 IST, September 23rd 2019
Hong Kong cleans up ahead of its 70th anniversary on October 1
Hong Kong cleaned up after recent outrageous acts between the security forces and the pro-democracy demonstrators which destroyed a railway station and the mall
- World News
- 3 min read
Hong Kong cleaned up on September 23 after recent outrageous acts between the security forces and the pro-democracy demonstrators which destroyed a railway station and shopping mall during the weekend. Yesterday, the forces fired tear gas in order to halt the protests. There has been an ongoing clash in Hong Kong for more than three months and has caused the worst political crisis that the city has seen in decades. One of biggest and most violent demonstrations took place mostly in Mass Transit Railway stations or near the same area. The stations closed their operations to stop the protesters' gathering. However, the railway authorities have commenced normal services on Monday.
The 70th anniversary
Ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic on October 1, the authorities are trying to suppress the violent in the former British colony. These demonstrations by the pro-democracy protesters can have an effect of the embarrassment of the central government in Beijing. Big fireworks display have also been cancelled by the Hong Kong government to avoid any further clashes. China which has the People's Liberation Army in Hong Kong has also placed its faith on Carrie Lam, the Hong Kong leader to curb violence. Hong Kong will also celebrate the fifth anniversary of the “Umbrella Movement” of pro-democracy demonstrators who failed to tackle the concessions imposed by Beijing, in the coming weekend.
Violence in society
Hundreds of protesters flooded the streets and the New Town Plaza on Sunday. In the New Territories town of Sha Tin, they chanted slogans of “Fight for freedom” and “Liberate Hong Kong”. Furthermore, the demonstrators destroyed the Chinese flag near the train station and ousted a man who they thought opposed them. The pro-democracy protesters even vandalized the video cameras and ticket booths in the stations. A few of them started to target the fittings at the entrance of the mall and then moved outside where they were set barricades made of cardboard on fire. The demonstrators are angered by the tightening grip of Beijing over Hong Kong which is also the financial hub of Asia. When Hong Kong returned to China under the policy of “one country, two systems”, it guaranteed freedoms that were not practiced in the mainland.
Updated 13:53 IST, September 23rd 2019
