Published 13:41 IST, November 9th 2019
Hong Kong enters 24th weekend of protests after the death of a student
Hong Kong has entered into 24th weekend of protests after a University student died due to violent clashes between pro-democracy protesters and police.
Hong Kong has entered into 24th weekend of protests after a University student died due to violent clashes between pro-democracy protesters and police, first death during the months-long unrest. Alex Chow, an undergraduate student at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, died of injuries as confirmed by the hospital authorities. Chow fell off a parking garage during violent clashes between protesters and police officials and was in a coma since November 4.
Protesters want revenge
The protests have intensified over the death of the student as chants of “Hong Kong people, revenge” and “A blood debt must be paid in blood.” reverberated across the city. “His death is a reminder to us that we cannot give up,” said a protester on local television. Pro-Beijing voices are concerned over the simmering discontent and violent protests.
Attack on lawmaker
Recently, an attacker stabbed a pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho who was campaigning for the election on November 6. The incident was captured on a camera where the attacker can be seen holding a bunch of flowers and taking permission from Ho to click a picture with him. The attacker then pulled a knife from his bag and stabbed Ho.
Mainland Chinese under threat
Mainland Chinese people living in Hong Kong have also become the targets of pro-democracy protesters as the anti-China sentiments have got more intense. According to official data, more than one million mainland Chinese live in Hong Kong and many of them have started looking to relocate as the protest continues. They avoid going out on the weekends since the protests usually escalate during that period. The mainlanders can not be identified from a distance, however, they have a different accent as compared with the natives of Hong Kong.
The primary language spoken in Hong Kong is Cantonese while Mandarin is used on the mainland. Sometimes surnames of mainlanders can also contribute to their identification. The Chinese people are uncertain about their future in Hong Kong and many of them don’t want to live in the city amid continued fear. Mainlanders are also blamed for increasing property prices of and overcrowding streets and shops of the special administrative region.
(With inputs from agencies)
Updated 17:09 IST, November 9th 2019