Published 13:37 IST, September 9th 2019
Hong Kong tells US to stay out; students form human chains to protest
While expressing concerns over the US bill, Hong Kong's government asked foreign legislatures to stay away from its internal matters. Students continued protest
Hong Kong school students formed human chains outside several schools on September 9 to showcase unity amongst them to push for democratic reforms after a weeklong clash between police and the pro-democratic protestors in the semiautonomous Chinese territory. The silent protest occurred when the Hong Kong government expressed complete disapproval of the illegal behavior of radical protestors and warned the US to not interfere in its internal matters. Thousands of pro-democratic demonstrators marched silently to the US Consulate to seek support from the US but there was outspread violence which broke out later in the day as protestors vandalized the subway stations, encroached the roads, blocked traffic and set fire. Police, on the other hand, countered the protestors by firing tear gas.
Protestors seek support from US
Hong Kong's chief executive, Carrie Lam, earlier announced that the government agreed to withdraw the extradition bill which sparked a monthlong protests but the demonstrators also want their other demands to be fulfilled which includes democratic elections of the city leaders and an independent probe into police actions for using excessive amount of force to disperse the crowd. On Sunday, the protestors appealed to the US President Donald Trump to stand with them and held a silent march to the US Consulate. They also demanded that the US President ensures Congress to pass a bill that proposes economic sanctions and penalties on Hong Kong and China officials, who are found to be suppressing democracy and human rights in the city. Hong Kong's government expressed its concerns over the US bill known as the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. The government released a statement on Monday and asked foreign legislatures to stay away from its internal matters. The government said it is Hong Kong's own interest to keep up its autonomy to safeguard their interests and advantages under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle.' Hong Kong was a former British colony that was returned to China in 1997.
Matter for China to handle: Prez Trump
Speaker of the US House, Nancy Pelosi, said residents of Hong Kong deserve freedom of speech and expression, freedom from fear and real autonomy. She urged to end the police violence upon the protestors. The widespread violence and monthlong unrest have become the biggest challenge for China. It's an embarrassment for the ruling Communist Party ahead of the October 1 celebrations of its 70th year in power. Beijing and its media said the protests are an effort to split the territory from China. President Trump, on the other hand, said its a matter for China to handle the situation and also suggested not to use any kind of violence. Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong visited Taiwan last week and said he will proceed with trips to Germany and the US to raise awareness globally about Hong Kong's fight for democratic reforms.
(with inputs from AP)
Updated 14:21 IST, September 9th 2019