China celebrates National Day in Hong Kong amid protests

Planned festivities

With docked up boats and streets, the People's Republic of China celebrated its founding on October 1 with a holiday and carefully choreographed festivities.

(Photograph:AFP)

Day of grievance

While China tries to 'celebrate' the day, it has become a day of grievance for the Hong Kong locals who are worried about China's increasing authoritarian style and crackdown on its opposition.

(Photograph:AFP)

'Peace has returned'

Despite year-long protests and massive civil unrest in Hong Kong, Chief Executive Carrie Lam claimed that peace has returned in the burning city. "Over the past few months, an indisputable fact in front of everyone is that our society has returned to peace," Lam said in her speech during a ceremony.

"Our country's national security has been protected in Hong Kong and our citizens can again exercise their rights and liberties in accordance with laws," she added.

(Photograph:AFP)

Heavily guarded

The ceremony was heavily guarded by police and security barriers, after last year the anniversary saw fierce clashes between the police officers and the locals protesting against China's dictatorship.

(Photograph:AFP)

No protest zone

The Hong Kong police patrolled the streets in increased number and checked almost every civilian passing through to ensure no violent protests broke off in the city on the National Day. Despite that, few small protests took place peacefully.

(Photograph:AFP)

Dozens arrested in Hong Kong

Hong Kong riot police patrolling the route of a banned anti-government march arrested dozens of people on Thursday, stopping crowds from gathering as Chief Executive Carrie Lam hailed the city's "return to stability" at China national day celebrations.

Police were seen rounding up more than 50 people downtown and binding their wrists with plexicuffs before putting them on buses. Police said in a Facebook post that they were looking for two men who threw petrol bombs to bloc traffic in another area of the city.

Protesters wanted to march against Beijing's imposition of a sweeping national security law on June 30 and demand the return of 12 Hong Kong people who were arrested at sea by Chinese authorities in August as they tried to reach self-ruled Taiwan.

Police had banned the protest, citing coronavirus-related restrictions on group gatherings and violence at previous marches. Shoppers and passers-by still broke into pro-democracy chants sporadically, but there was no sign of large crowds.

(Photograph:Reuters)