Hong Kong protests: Huge crowds rally peacefully
(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – Organizers say 1.7 million people turned out at Sunday’s pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong, amid increasingly severe warnings by Beijing.
Police put the figure much lower at 128,000, counting only those at an officially sanctioned rally.
Activists and police have clashed over the past 11 weeks, but this weekend’s protest remained peaceful.
The protests were sparked by a controversial extradition bill, which has since been suspended.
They have now morphed into a broader movement demanding democratic reform and an investigation into alleged police brutality.
The protest’s organisers, the Civil Human Rights Front, were denied authorisation for a march through the city, but police allowed a pre-approved demonstration in the city’s Victoria Park.
How have recent protests unfolded?
The violence has intensified in the past few weeks, and police have frequently fired tear gas and rubber bullets.
Last weekend activists occupied the airport, leading to hundreds of flights being cancelled. There were further clashes with police on Tuesday.
The turmoil has plunged one of Asia’s leading financial centres into crisis. Many businesses remained closed on Sunday amid fears of further violence.
What is Beijing saying?
The Chinese government hardened its rhetoric following the airport unrest, condemning it as “behaviour that is close to terrorism”.
It was the second time in a week that Chinese officials had publicly likened the protests to terrorist activity.
Some observers believe that the repeated use of such language suggests that China is losing patience with the protesters and signals that an intervention by Beijing is increasingly likely. (BBC)