After the US House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a resolution condemning interference in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/houston-rockets-gm-wasnt-educated-when-he-sent-hong-kong-tweet-lebron-james-256087">Hong Kong, China hit back</a> saying that Washington should "stop meddling".

"We express our strong indignation and firm opposition to the US House of Representatives' insistence on passing the so-called 'Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act', foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Wednesday.

The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act will be moved to the Senate after it was passed by the House of Representatives.&nbsp;

"Today we're simply urging the Chinese president and the Hong Kong Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, to faithfully honour the government's promises" that Hong Kong's rights and autonomy would be protected," Republican Representative Chris Smith, sponsor of the bill, said on the US House floor.

Watch Video:

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Hong Kong has seen widespread violence for the past four months which started as an opposition to the extradition bill which was later withdrawn by authorities, however, there has been no letup in clashes between Hong Kong police and street protesters.

US House of Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "For years, the people of Hong Kong have faced a barrage of unjust and harsh restrictions on their freedoms, and those who have stood up for their rights have been met with a cruel crackdown."

"In Congress, Democrats and Republicans in the House and in the Senate stand united with the people of Hong Kong," Pelosi said, adding,"If America does not speak up for human rights in China because of commercial interests then we lose all moral authority to speak out for human rights in any place in the world."

The US House also approved a related bill to prohibit the export of certain non-lethal crowd control items such as tear gas to Hong Kong.

After the US House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a resolution condemning interference in Hong Kong, China hit back saying that Washington should "stop meddling".

After the US House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a resolution condemning interference in Hong Kong, China hit back saying that Washington should "stop meddling". "We express our strong indignation and firm opposition to the US House of Representatives' insistence on passing the so-called 'Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act', foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Wednesday. The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act will be moved to the Senate after it was passed by the House of Representatives. "Today we're simply urging the Chinese president and the Hong Kong Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, to faithfully honour the government's promises" that Hong Kong's rights and autonomy would be protected," Republican Representative Chris Smith, sponsor of the bill, said on the US House floor. Watch Video: Hong Kong has seen widespread violence for the past four months which started as an opposition to the extradition bill which was later withdrawn by authorities, however, there has been no letup in clashes between Hong Kong police and street protesters. US House of Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "For years, the people of Hong Kong have faced a barrage of unjust and harsh restrictions on their freedoms, and those who have stood up for their rights have been met with a cruel crackdown." "In Congress, Democrats and Republicans in the House and in the Senate stand united with the people of Hong Kong," Pelosi said, adding,"If America does not speak up for human rights in China because of commercial interests then we lose all moral authority to speak out for human rights in any place in the world." The US House also approved a related bill to prohibit the export of certain non-lethal crowd control items such as tear gas to Hong Kong.

Firmly oppose US House of Representatives' insistence on passing Hong Kong Democracy Act: China

Carrie Lam heckled in Parliament; Opposition lawmakers disrupt session. Watch video to know more.

Carrie Lam heckled in Parliament; Opposition lawmakers disrupt session

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam was forced to suspend her annual address in the legislature on Wednesday as opposition lawmakers disrupted the session from the start.

Carrie Lam heckled in parliament, Opposition lawmakers disrupt session

Hong Kong's chief&nbsp;executive <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firmly-oppose-us-house-of-representatives-insistence-on-passing-hong-kong-democracy-act-china-256179">Carrie Lam was heckled</a> by lawmakers as she prepared to make a speech in the legislature on Wednesday.

The lawmakers shouted "five demands, not one less" as they heckled Lam. The demands include universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into what they say has been excessive force by police in dealing with demonstrations.

Some of the protesting lawmakers wore masks of Chinese President Xi Jinping inside the chamber. Lam later&nbsp;released a pre-recorded video.

Expanding on her housing plans, Lam said she believed "Hong Kong will be able to ride out this storm and move on".

"I hope we can see a path forward for Hong Kong and treasure it," the Hong Kong leader added.

However, pro-democracy legislator Tanya Chan said Lam was to blame for Hong Kong’s chaos.

"Both her hands are soaked with blood,” Chan said at the news conference later,&nbsp;adding,&nbsp;"so much has happened on Hong Kong's streets over the past four months but Lam has been either hiding in her abyss or acting like a wax figure."

Hong Kong has seen widespread violence in the past four months which started as protesters demanded authorities drop the extradition bill.

Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam was heckled by lawmakers as she prepared to make a speech in the legislature on Wednesday. The lawmakers shouted "five demands, not one less" as they heckled Lam.

Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam was heckled by lawmakers as she prepared to make a speech in the legislature on Wednesday. The lawmakers shouted "five demands, not one less" as they heckled Lam. The demands include universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into what they say has been excessive force by police in dealing with demonstrations. Some of the protesting lawmakers wore masks of Chinese President Xi Jinping inside the chamber. Lam later released a pre-recorded video. Expanding on her housing plans, Lam said she believed "Hong Kong will be able to ride out this storm and move on". "I hope we can see a path forward for Hong Kong and treasure it," the Hong Kong leader added. However, pro-democracy legislator Tanya Chan said Lam was to blame for Hong Kong’s chaos. "Both her hands are soaked with blood,” Chan said at the news conference later, adding, "so much has happened on Hong Kong's streets over the past four months but Lam has been either hiding in her abyss or acting like a wax figure." Hong Kong has seen widespread violence in the past four months which started as protesters demanded authorities drop the extradition bill.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam abandons speech after heckles from lawmakers

Hong Kong&nbsp;Chief Executive&nbsp;Carrie Lam said today that individual US Senators had "preconceived views about Hong Kong's situation" while she slammed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senator-warns-hong-kong-of-becoming-police-state-255828">Senator Josh Hawley's </a>statement on Hong Kong becoming a "police state" as "totally irresponsible and unfounded".

"As far as individual US Senators coming to Hong Kong, I have to say that I thought their visit to Hong Kong will enable them to see the actual situation in a comprehensive and objective manner but unfortunately, the feedback that I've got is&nbsp;most of them had preconceived views about Hong Kong situation," Carrie Lam said at a press conference.

"Senator (Josh Hawley) to describe Hong Kong as becoming a police state is totally irresponsible and unfounded," the Hong Kong leader asserted.

Republican Senator Josh Hawley on a two-day visit to Hong Kong had warned that the country was becoming a "police state" after he <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-make-arrests-as-flashmob-protests-and-clashes-erupt-255650">witnessed protests on Sunday</a>.

Watch Video:

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"The situation here is urgent," Hawley told reporters, adding, "Hong Kong is in danger of sliding towards a police state, the representative government in Hong Kong is at risk, the one country, two systems model is at risk."

However, Carrie Lam defended police action in Hong Kong even as violence continued on&nbsp;the city streets.

"The Hong Kong police force is a highly professional and civilised force. I challenge every politician to ask themselves if the large extent of violent acts and all those petrol bombs and arson and attacks, the really deadly attacks on policemen, happened in their own country, what would they do? What would their policemen do?" Lam asked.

At the press conference, Lam stated "violence will only breed more violence", adding that it will not provide&nbsp;a solution.

"I have said on many occasions that violence will not give us the solution. Violence will only breed more violence, so for concessions to be made simply because of the escalating violence will only make the situation worse," Lam said.

"On the other hand, we should consider every means to end the violence," she added.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said today that individual US Senators had "preconceived views about Hong Kong's situation" while she slammed Senator Josh Hawley's statement on Hong Kong becoming a "police state" as "totally irresponsible and unfounded".

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said today that individual US Senators had "preconceived views about Hong Kong's situation" while she slammed Senator Josh Hawley's statement on Hong Kong becoming a "police state" as "totally irresponsible and unfounded". "As far as individual US Senators coming to Hong Kong, I have to say that I thought their visit to Hong Kong will enable them to see the actual situation in a comprehensive and objective manner but unfortunately, the feedback that I've got is most of them had preconceived views about Hong Kong situation," Carrie Lam said at a press conference. "Senator (Josh Hawley) to describe Hong Kong as becoming a police state is totally irresponsible and unfounded," the Hong Kong leader asserted. Republican Senator Josh Hawley on a two-day visit to Hong Kong had warned that the country was becoming a "police state" after he witnessed protests on Sunday. Watch Video: "The situation here is urgent," Hawley told reporters, adding, "Hong Kong is in danger of sliding towards a police state, the representative government in Hong Kong is at risk, the one country, two systems model is at risk." However, Carrie Lam defended police action in Hong Kong even as violence continued on the city streets. "The Hong Kong police force is a highly professional and civilised force. I challenge every politician to ask themselves if the large extent of violent acts and all those petrol bombs and arson and attacks, the really deadly attacks on policemen, happened in their own country, what would they do? What would their policemen do?" Lam asked. At the press conference, Lam stated "violence will only breed more violence", adding that it will not provide a solution. "I have said on many occasions that violence will not give us the solution. Violence will only breed more violence, so for concessions to be made simply because of the escalating violence will only make the situation worse," Lam said. "On the other hand, we should consider every means to end the violence," she added.

US Senator Josh Hawley's statement on Hong Kong turning into a police state totally irresponsible: Carrie Lam

Hundreds&nbsp;of mask-wearing pro-democracy protesters marched through&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's central business district at lunchtime on Friday, occupying a main thoroughfare and disrupting traffic as the city braced for another&nbsp;weekend&nbsp;of turmoil.

Chanting calls for their core demands and denouncing what they see as police brutality, the crowd peacefully occupied&nbsp;streets&nbsp;in the financial district, home to some of the world's most expensive real estate, before dispersing.

Hong&nbsp;Kong's metro operator had opened all stations in the morning for the first time in a week&nbsp;ahead&nbsp;of another&nbsp;round&nbsp;of anti-government&nbsp;protests, while the city's legislature began its first session since protesters stormed the building in July.

Pro-establishment and democratic lawmakers shouted at each other before the beginning of the session, underscoring the tension and divisions in the Asian financial hub after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-hong-kong-protests-biggest-political-crisis-in-xi-jinpings-career-254353">four months of often violent pro-democracy&nbsp;protests.</a>

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Some lawmakers wore black masks as they sat in the chamber, while others carried placards reading: "Police brutality still exists, how can we have a meeting?"

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-set-to-ban-face-masks-in-bid-to-curb-violence-media-253483">The wearing of face masks was banned </a>under colonial-era emergency powers invoked by embattled&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;leader Carrie Lam a week ago.

The&nbsp;protests&nbsp;have plunged the city into its worst crisis since it returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997, posing the biggest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012.

What began as opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill has evolved into a pro-democracy movement fanned by fears that China is stifling&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's freedoms guaranteed under a "one country, two systems" formula introduced with the 1997 handover.

China denies the accusations and says foreign countries, including Britain and the United States, are fomenting unrest.

Metro operator MTR Corp, whose network carries about 5 million passengers a day, said all lines would shut at 10 p.m.&nbsp;on Friday, more than 2 hours earlier than usual so more repairs could be carried out after protesters torched or trashed stations across the city.

Many stores and businesses have had to shut early due to metro closures, putting another burden on the city's faltering economy as it faces its first recession in a decade.

Protesters have targeted the MTR because it has been blamed for closing stations at the government's behest to contain demonstrations.

The normally efficient system shut down completely last Friday following arson attacks and has operated only partially since then.

Lam introduced the emergency laws, including the ban on face masks last week in an effort to quell unrest. But the ban sparked some of the worst violence since&nbsp;protests&nbsp;started.

The government said it would not bring in any other emergency measures.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-shopping-malls-metro-close-early-as-more-protests-planned-254952">Shopping malls and other facilities closed early </a>on Thursday<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-shopping-malls-metro-close-early-as-more-protests-planned-254952"> </a>but few demonstrators took to the&nbsp;streets, with only about 60 activists gathering outside one police station.

But several demonstrations are planned across the city on Friday and through the&nbsp;weekend, when more people have been coming out to vent their opposition over the weeks.

Several major conferences and other events have been called off because of the&nbsp;protests&nbsp;with the latest being an annual swimming race in the city's famed harbour.

Property developer&nbsp;New&nbsp;World Development Company Limited&nbsp;said it was cancelling the October&nbsp;27 competition because of the "social situation".

The protest movement still appears to have a broad base of support despite the violence and vandalism carried out by small groups of front-line protesters.

Residents, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, are calling for the protection of civil liberties. Many young people are also angry about the city's hugely expensive property, widening inequality and poor job prospects.

More than 2,300 people have been arrested since the&nbsp;protests&nbsp;began to snowball in June, with many of them below the age of 16, authorities said.

Lam is due to deliver the city's annual policy address on October 16 which traditionally contains sweeteners and support for business and investment.

She has said that due to the unrest her address would not be as "elaborate" or "comprehensive" as normal.

Pro-democracy lawmakers on Friday reiterated calls for authorities to address the protesters' "five demands" which include universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into their complaints of excessive force by the police.

Bernard Chan, the convenor of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's executive council - the lead advisory body to the chief executive - wrote in an opinion piece in the South China Morning Post on Friday that Lam's policy address would include responses to address the discontent.

Chan said the Independent Police Complaints Council should be allowed to do its own investigation into the controversy over areas such as police procedures and held out the option of an independent inquiry later.

Hundreds of mask-wearing pro-democracy protesters marched through Hong Kong's central business district at lunchtime on Friday, occupying a main thoroughfare and disrupting traffic as the city braced for another weekend of turmoil.

Hundreds of mask-wearing pro-democracy protesters marched through Hong Kong's central business district at lunchtime on Friday, occupying a main thoroughfare and disrupting traffic as the city braced for another weekend of turmoil. Chanting calls for their core demands and denouncing what they see as police brutality, the crowd peacefully occupied streets in the financial district, home to some of the world's most expensive real estate, before dispersing. Hong Kong's metro operator had opened all stations in the morning for the first time in a week ahead of another round of anti-government protests, while the city's legislature began its first session since protesters stormed the building in July. Pro-establishment and democratic lawmakers shouted at each other before the beginning of the session, underscoring the tension and divisions in the Asian financial hub after four months of often violent pro-democracy protests. Some lawmakers wore black masks as they sat in the chamber, while others carried placards reading: "Police brutality still exists, how can we have a meeting?" The wearing of face masks was banned under colonial-era emergency powers invoked by embattled Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam a week ago. The protests have plunged the city into its worst crisis since it returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997, posing the biggest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012. What began as opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill has evolved into a pro-democracy movement fanned by fears that China is stifling Hong Kong's freedoms guaranteed under a "one country, two systems" formula introduced with the 1997 handover. China denies the accusations and says foreign countries, including Britain and the United States, are fomenting unrest. Metro operator MTR Corp, whose network carries about 5 million passengers a day, said all lines would shut at 10 p.m. on Friday, more than 2 hours earlier than usual so more repairs could be carried out after protesters torched or trashed stations across the city. Many stores and businesses have had to shut early due to metro closures, putting another burden on the city's faltering economy as it faces its first recession in a decade. Protesters have targeted the MTR because it has been blamed for closing stations at the government's behest to contain demonstrations. The normally efficient system shut down completely last Friday following arson attacks and has operated only partially since then. Lam introduced the emergency laws, including the ban on face masks last week in an effort to quell unrest. But the ban sparked some of the worst violence since protests started. The government said it would not bring in any other emergency measures. Shopping malls and other facilities closed early on Thursday but few demonstrators took to the streets, with only about 60 activists gathering outside one police station. But several demonstrations are planned across the city on Friday and through the weekend, when more people have been coming out to vent their opposition over the weeks. Several major conferences and other events have been called off because of the protests with the latest being an annual swimming race in the city's famed harbour. Property developer New World Development Company Limited said it was cancelling the October 27 competition because of the "social situation". The protest movement still appears to have a broad base of support despite the violence and vandalism carried out by small groups of front-line protesters. Residents, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, are calling for the protection of civil liberties. Many young people are also angry about the city's hugely expensive property, widening inequality and poor job prospects. More than 2,300 people have been arrested since the protests began to snowball in June, with many of them below the age of 16, authorities said. Lam is due to deliver the city's annual policy address on October 16 which traditionally contains sweeteners and support for business and investment. She has said that due to the unrest her address would not be as "elaborate" or "comprehensive" as normal. Pro-democracy lawmakers on Friday reiterated calls for authorities to address the protesters' "five demands" which include universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into their complaints of excessive force by the police. Bernard Chan, the convenor of Hong Kong's executive council - the lead advisory body to the chief executive - wrote in an opinion piece in the South China Morning Post on Friday that Lam's policy address would include responses to address the discontent. Chan said the Independent Police Complaints Council should be allowed to do its own investigation into the controversy over areas such as police procedures and held out the option of an independent inquiry later.

Hundreds take to Hong Kong streets ahead of new round of weekend protests

Hong Kong protesters prepared for demonstrations around the city on Thursday as shopping malls said they would close early to avoid becoming targets and the city's metro, which has borne the brunt of the violent unrest, will close three hours early.

Hong Kong is one of the world's top shopping cities but <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-hong-kong-protests-biggest-political-crisis-in-xi-jinpings-career-254353">four months of often violent protests</a> have severely dented that reputation, with scores of shops vandalised and malls now becoming sites for sit-ins by protesters.

The Asian financial hub is facing its first recession in a decade due to the unrest, with the tourism and retail sectors hit particularly hard.

Protesters have been playing cat and mouse with police, organising demonstrations at different locations via social media, stretching security resources.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/apple-removes-police-tracking-app-used-in-hong-kong-protests-from-its-app-store-254882">Apple Inc&nbsp;on Wednesday removed an app</a> that protesters have used to track police movements, prompting some demonstrators to say they may "visit" its Hong Kong store.

The unrest started more than four months ago in opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill but has widened into a pro-democracy movement amid fears China is encroaching on Hong Kong's freedoms.

Those freedoms were guaranteed under a "one country, two systems" formula when Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997, which allows autonomy not enjoyed on the mainland.

Gravitas: Hong Kong Protests: Biggest Political Crisis In Xi Jinping's Career

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However, the unrest has pushed the special administrative region into its worst political crisis since 1997 and poses the biggest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012.

Many young demonstrators are also incensed at what they see as widening inequality, sky-high property prices that make it impossible for them to get a place of their own and poor job prospects.

Demonstrations planned for Thursday include some in support of Taiwan on its National Day and rallies against perceived police brutality, with protesters expected to wear eye patches to show solidarity with a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/east-asia/police-shoot-hong-kong-protester-in-chest-during-clashes-253085">young protester who was injured in clashes with police.</a>

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, in a National Day speech in Taipei, rejected the "one country, two systems" formula that Beijing has suggested could be used to unify Taiwan and the mainland, saying the arrangement had set Hong Kong "on the edge of disorder".

Beijing regards Taiwan as a wayward province and has not renounced the use of force to bring it into the fold. Beijing has held out the Hong Kong arrangement of special autonomy within a united China as a model.

But Hong Kong's protests have been fuelled by resentment of what many residents see as relentless efforts by Beijing to exert control over their city, despite the promises of autonomy.

Hong Kong is still <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-reopens-most-metro-stations-shops-after-weekend-protests-254571">recovering from a long weekend of violent clashes</a> between police and tens of thousands of protesters.

Scores of shops remain boarded up after being trashed or torched, anti-government graffiti is scrawled over bus stops and buildings, and some streets are still strewn with broken glass and twisted metal debris.

Protest violence has often targeted the MTR mass transit system, torching stations, and damaging ticketing machines. The MTR has been accused of closing stations at the government's behest to stop demonstrators gathering.

A slew of events and conferences have moved to other locations, including Singapore.

Hong Kong's unrest has started to impact global companies and sport, with luxury jeweller <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiffany-removes-advert-over-hong-kong-controversy-254639">Tiffany &amp; Co </a>and US&nbsp;sports brand Vans withdrawing an advertisement and shoe design seen as favouring protesters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-tv-drops-nba-exhibition-games-escalating-pressure-amid-tweet-uproar-254463">China has canceled broadcasting NBA basketball games </a>after an executive of the US&nbsp;National Basketball Association (NBA) team the Houston Rockets back protesters in a tweet. Chinese sponsors and partners have cut ties with the NBA.

The NBA's business in China is worth more than $4 billion, according to Forbes.

China has warned foreign governments to stay out of the protests which they deem as an internal affair and have accused some, including Britain and the United States, of fanning anti-China sentiment.

Hong Kong protesters prepared for demonstrations around the city on Thursday as shopping malls said they would close early to avoid becoming targets and the city's metro, which has borne the brunt of the violent unrest, will close three hours early.

Hong Kong protesters prepared for demonstrations around the city on Thursday as shopping malls said they would close early to avoid becoming targets and the city's metro, which has borne the brunt of the violent unrest, will close three hours early. Hong Kong is one of the world's top shopping cities but four months of often violent protests have severely dented that reputation, with scores of shops vandalised and malls now becoming sites for sit-ins by protesters. The Asian financial hub is facing its first recession in a decade due to the unrest, with the tourism and retail sectors hit particularly hard. Protesters have been playing cat and mouse with police, organising demonstrations at different locations via social media, stretching security resources. Apple Inc on Wednesday removed an app that protesters have used to track police movements, prompting some demonstrators to say they may "visit" its Hong Kong store. The unrest started more than four months ago in opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill but has widened into a pro-democracy movement amid fears China is encroaching on Hong Kong's freedoms. Those freedoms were guaranteed under a "one country, two systems" formula when Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997, which allows autonomy not enjoyed on the mainland. Gravitas: Hong Kong Protests: Biggest Political Crisis In Xi Jinping's Career However, the unrest has pushed the special administrative region into its worst political crisis since 1997 and poses the biggest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012. Many young demonstrators are also incensed at what they see as widening inequality, sky-high property prices that make it impossible for them to get a place of their own and poor job prospects. Demonstrations planned for Thursday include some in support of Taiwan on its National Day and rallies against perceived police brutality, with protesters expected to wear eye patches to show solidarity with a young protester who was injured in clashes with police. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, in a National Day speech in Taipei, rejected the "one country, two systems" formula that Beijing has suggested could be used to unify Taiwan and the mainland, saying the arrangement had set Hong Kong "on the edge of disorder". Beijing regards Taiwan as a wayward province and has not renounced the use of force to bring it into the fold. Beijing has held out the Hong Kong arrangement of special autonomy within a united China as a model. But Hong Kong's protests have been fuelled by resentment of what many residents see as relentless efforts by Beijing to exert control over their city, despite the promises of autonomy. Hong Kong is still recovering from a long weekend of violent clashes between police and tens of thousands of protesters. Scores of shops remain boarded up after being trashed or torched, anti-government graffiti is scrawled over bus stops and buildings, and some streets are still strewn with broken glass and twisted metal debris. Protest violence has often targeted the MTR mass transit system, torching stations, and damaging ticketing machines. The MTR has been accused of closing stations at the government's behest to stop demonstrators gathering. A slew of events and conferences have moved to other locations, including Singapore. Hong Kong's unrest has started to impact global companies and sport, with luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co and US sports brand Vans withdrawing an advertisement and shoe design seen as favouring protesters. China has canceled broadcasting NBA basketball games after an executive of the US National Basketball Association (NBA) team the Houston Rockets back protesters in a tweet. Chinese sponsors and partners have cut ties with the NBA. The NBA's business in China is worth more than $4 billion, according to Forbes. China has warned foreign governments to stay out of the protests which they deem as an internal affair and have accused some, including Britain and the United States, of fanning anti-China sentiment.

Hong Kong shopping malls, metro close early as more protests planned

&nbsp;A&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;pro-democracy&nbsp;activist&nbsp;jailed for six years for rioting in 2016 appeared in court on Wednesday to appeal&nbsp;against&nbsp;his&nbsp;sentence, as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-hong-kong-protests-biggest-political-crisis-in-xi-jinpings-career-254353">anti-government&nbsp;protests</a> showed no signs of abating despite new emergency laws and widespread arrests.

Edward Leung, 27, one of the leaders of a movement advocating independence from China, and two other&nbsp;activists received the harshest&nbsp;sentences handed down to&nbsp;pro-democracy&nbsp;leaders since the city returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Hundreds of Leung's supporters gathered outside the city's High Court and packed his courtroom on Wednesday, many wearing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-protesters-continues-to-defy-face-mask-ban-254131">black masks in defiance of a ban</a> on face masks invoked by authorities on Friday under colonial-era emergency laws.

Leung's hearing could become the latest flashpoint for anti-government&nbsp;protesters who have staged four months of demonstrations, some massive and violent,&nbsp;against&nbsp;leader Carrie Lam's administration.

Lam did not rule out asking Beijing for help in remarks on Tuesday as the Asian financial hub struggles to deal with&nbsp;protests that are damaging its economy.

More&nbsp;protests are expected on Wednesday and the coming week.

The former British colony is still recovering after a long weekend of violent&nbsp;protests that brought the city to a virtual standstill, with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-reopens-most-metro-stations-shops-after-weekend-protests-254571">unprecedented closure of its metro </a>rail system, shops, ATMs, and mainland China banks.

What started as opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill has grown into a&nbsp;pro-democracy&nbsp;movement&nbsp;against&nbsp;what is seen as Beijing's tightening grip on the city, which&nbsp;protesters say undermines a "one country, two systems" formula&nbsp;promised when&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;returned to Chinese rule.

China dismisses such accusations, saying foreign governments, including Britain and the United States, have fanned anti-China sentiment.

The&nbsp;protests pose the biggest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012 and are&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's worst political crisis since the 1997 handover.

The city's metro operator MTR Corp, which carries about 5 million passengers a day, said on Wednesday some stations would remain closed due to damage and it would be shutting services early again at 8 p.m. (1200 GMT),&nbsp;more&nbsp;than four hours earlier than normal.

The closure of some stations on Wednesday resulted in massive queues of people waiting for shuttle buses during the morning rush hour, with some people choosing to walk kilometres to the nearest station.

MTR Corp was forced to shut down after arson attacks on Friday night, an unprecedented move that largely paralysed transportation. There were only partial operations during the weekend and limited services through the start of the week.

Hong&nbsp;Kong's economy has been hit hard by the&nbsp;protests, with many businesses and stores repeatedly closing as the Asian financial hub faces its first recession in a decade.

Lam warned on Tuesday the city's businesses faced "a severe winter season", while a police spokesman said&nbsp;more&nbsp;than 200 shops and public utilities had been damaged since Friday's violent clashes.

More&nbsp;than 100 restaurants have closed over the past month, putting around 2,000 people out of work, a representative from an association of catering&nbsp;professionals told public broadcaster RTHK on Wednesday.

Authorities have described&nbsp;protesters as "militant&nbsp;activists" but many&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;residents are also angry at the emergency powers, fearing their civil rights could be eroded.

More&nbsp;than 2,300 people have been arrested since June, while two teenagers have been shot and wounded in skirmishes with police. Scores of people, including police, have been injured.

The political sensitivities involved have been highlighted by a growing row after an executive of the U.S. National Basketball Association (NBA) team the Houston Rockets backed the&nbsp;protests.

One-time U.S. presidential candidate and former First Lady Hillary Clinton and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/despite-consequences-nba-boss-defends-values-in-china-row-254649">NBA Commissioner Adam Silver</a> both weighed in to the controversy, drawing the ire of Chinese state media.

Clinton said on her official Twitter account on Wednesday: "Every American has the right to voice their support for&nbsp;democracy&nbsp;and human rights for&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong. Full stop."

Silver spoke up for freedom of speech, saying it was not up to the NBA to regulate what players, employees and team owners said. Chinese state media responded on Wednesday by accusing the NBA of endorsing violence and peddling a "secessionist pipe dream".

In a separate case, a top online gamer from&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;who showed support for the&nbsp;protests was removed from an international tournament he won, forcing him to forgo prize money that media reports put at $10,000.

Blizzard Entertainment, via their brand Hearthstone, said the gamer identified as "Blitzchung" had violated rules and would not be allowed to play in any Hearthstone esports games for the next 12 months.

A Hong Kong pro-democracy activist jailed for six years for rioting in 2016 appeared in court on Wednesday to appeal against his sentence, as anti-government protests showed no signs of abating despite new emergency laws and widespread arrests.

A Hong Kong pro-democracy activist jailed for six years for rioting in 2016 appeared in court on Wednesday to appeal against his sentence, as anti-government protests showed no signs of abating despite new emergency laws and widespread arrests. Edward Leung, 27, one of the leaders of a movement advocating independence from China, and two other activists received the harshest sentences handed down to pro-democracy leaders since the city returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Hundreds of Leung's supporters gathered outside the city's High Court and packed his courtroom on Wednesday, many wearing black masks in defiance of a ban on face masks invoked by authorities on Friday under colonial-era emergency laws. Leung's hearing could become the latest flashpoint for anti-government protesters who have staged four months of demonstrations, some massive and violent, against leader Carrie Lam's administration. Lam did not rule out asking Beijing for help in remarks on Tuesday as the Asian financial hub struggles to deal with protests that are damaging its economy. More protests are expected on Wednesday and the coming week. The former British colony is still recovering after a long weekend of violent protests that brought the city to a virtual standstill, with the unprecedented closure of its metro rail system, shops, ATMs, and mainland China banks. What started as opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill has grown into a pro-democracy movement against what is seen as Beijing's tightening grip on the city, which protesters say undermines a "one country, two systems" formula promised when Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule. China dismisses such accusations, saying foreign governments, including Britain and the United States, have fanned anti-China sentiment. The protests pose the biggest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012 and are Hong Kong's worst political crisis since the 1997 handover. The city's metro operator MTR Corp, which carries about 5 million passengers a day, said on Wednesday some stations would remain closed due to damage and it would be shutting services early again at 8 p.m. (1200 GMT), more than four hours earlier than normal. The closure of some stations on Wednesday resulted in massive queues of people waiting for shuttle buses during the morning rush hour, with some people choosing to walk kilometres to the nearest station. MTR Corp was forced to shut down after arson attacks on Friday night, an unprecedented move that largely paralysed transportation. There were only partial operations during the weekend and limited services through the start of the week. Hong Kong's economy has been hit hard by the protests, with many businesses and stores repeatedly closing as the Asian financial hub faces its first recession in a decade. Lam warned on Tuesday the city's businesses faced "a severe winter season", while a police spokesman said more than 200 shops and public utilities had been damaged since Friday's violent clashes. More than 100 restaurants have closed over the past month, putting around 2,000 people out of work, a representative from an association of catering professionals told public broadcaster RTHK on Wednesday. Authorities have described protesters as "militant activists" but many Hong Kong residents are also angry at the emergency powers, fearing their civil rights could be eroded. More than 2,300 people have been arrested since June, while two teenagers have been shot and wounded in skirmishes with police. Scores of people, including police, have been injured. The political sensitivities involved have been highlighted by a growing row after an executive of the U.S. National Basketball Association (NBA) team the Houston Rockets backed the protests. One-time U.S. presidential candidate and former First Lady Hillary Clinton and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver both weighed in to the controversy, drawing the ire of Chinese state media. Clinton said on her official Twitter account on Wednesday: "Every American has the right to voice their support for democracy and human rights for Hong Kong. Full stop." Silver spoke up for freedom of speech, saying it was not up to the NBA to regulate what players, employees and team owners said. Chinese state media responded on Wednesday by accusing the NBA of endorsing violence and peddling a "secessionist pipe dream". In a separate case, a top online gamer from Hong Kong who showed support for the protests was removed from an international tournament he won, forcing him to forgo prize money that media reports put at $10,000. Blizzard Entertainment, via their brand Hearthstone, said the gamer identified as "Blitzchung" had violated rules and would not be allowed to play in any Hearthstone esports games for the next 12 months.

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist appeals against sentence as more protests loom

Hong Kong's under-fire leader Carrie Lam said Tuesday she would not rule out accepting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bear-consequences-for-your-actions-chinese-soldiers-issues-warning-to-hong-kong-protesters-254129">help from mainland China</a> in tackling increasingly violent pro-democracy protests.&nbsp;

The financial hub has been gripped by four months of rallies, and last weekend saw much of the city grind to a halt as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-soldiers-in-hong-kong-warn-protesters-as-emergency-rules-fail-to-quell-unrest-254107">masked demonstrators took to the streets in defiance of a controversial ban</a> on face coverings.

Lam's decision last Friday to invoke colonial-era emergency powers -- not used for half a century -- to impose the ban sparked some of the most violent scenes since the crisis began, as hardcore protesters trashed dozens of subway stations, vandalised shops with mainland China ties, built fires and blocked roads.

As much of the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-metro-still-partially-functioning-hong-kong-opens-for-business-after-violent-clashes-254366"> city returned to work after a three-day weekend</a>, Lam told reporters that while she believes the city's authorities can cope with the unprecedented troubles, China could be called upon if the situation becomes "so bad".

"At this point in time, I still strongly feel that we should find the solutions ourselves. It is also the position of the central government (in Beijing) that Hong Kong should tackle the problem on her own.

"But if the situation becomes so bad, then no options can be ruled out if we want Hong Kong to at least have another chance."

Watch: Hong Kong - protesters continues to defy face mask ban

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Mask ban backlash

Lam has faced widespread criticism over her decision to ban face masks -- ubiquitous in Hong Kong since a deadly SARS outbreak in 2003 -- and thousands of Hong Kongers flouted the prohibition during an unsanctioned mass march on Sunday.

So far two people -- a male university student and a 38-year-old woman -- have been charged with illegally wearing masks, and supporters wore their own face coverings during a court appearance on Monday.&nbsp;

The two were charged with unlawful assembly, which carries up to three years' jail time, and with defying the mask ban, which has a maximum one-year sentence. Both were released on bail.

Lam told journalists it was "too early" to say whether the anti-mask law was effective or not.&nbsp;

"I'm sure you'll agree that for any new policy or new legislation, it will take time to be effectively implemented," she said.

Lam also would not be drawn on a suggestion by one of her cabinet members, the veteran pro-Beijing politician Ip Kwok-him, that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-cabinet-member-floats-internet-curbs-to-contain-unrest-254254">Hong Kong may curb access to the internet</a> in a bid to contain the protests.

The leader insisted she was "very committed" to using political, legal and policy instruments, including dialogue, to address some of the "deep-seated problems" in the city.&nbsp;

Thirteen of the city's subway stations remained closed on Tuesday following the widespread vandalism and the operator said the entire network would close at 8pm (1200 GMT).&nbsp;

According to Hospital Authority figures, ten of the 13 people admitted to hospital over the weekend were in a stable condition on Tuesday while three had been discharged.

'Humane solution'

US President Donald Trump on Monday urged a "humane solution" in Hong Kong but noted that the crowds protesting against Chinese authorities were smaller than before.

"We just want to see a humane solution," Trump said in comments to reporters. "I think they have to do that in a peaceful manner."

He remarked on the "great people over there" and said, "they're flying the American flag."

But Trump avoided expressing support for the protesters' unprecedented show of defiance against Chinese communist rule and questioned whether they were losing steam.

At the start, "I saw two million people. I've never seen anything like it," Trump said. "The crowd size is much smaller now, so maybe that's saying something."

&nbsp;

Hong Kong's under-fire leader Carrie Lam said Tuesday she would not rule out accepting help from mainland China in tackling increasingly violent pro-democracy protests.

Hong Kong's under-fire leader Carrie Lam said Tuesday she would not rule out accepting help from mainland China in tackling increasingly violent pro-democracy protests. The financial hub has been gripped by four months of rallies, and last weekend saw much of the city grind to a halt as masked demonstrators took to the streets in defiance of a controversial ban on face coverings. Lam's decision last Friday to invoke colonial-era emergency powers -- not used for half a century -- to impose the ban sparked some of the most violent scenes since the crisis began, as hardcore protesters trashed dozens of subway stations, vandalised shops with mainland China ties, built fires and blocked roads. As much of the city returned to work after a three-day weekend, Lam told reporters that while she believes the city's authorities can cope with the unprecedented troubles, China could be called upon if the situation becomes "so bad". "At this point in time, I still strongly feel that we should find the solutions ourselves. It is also the position of the central government (in Beijing) that Hong Kong should tackle the problem on her own. "But if the situation becomes so bad, then no options can be ruled out if we want Hong Kong to at least have another chance." Watch: Hong Kong - protesters continues to defy face mask ban × Mask ban backlash Lam has faced widespread criticism over her decision to ban face masks -- ubiquitous in Hong Kong since a deadly SARS outbreak in 2003 -- and thousands of Hong Kongers flouted the prohibition during an unsanctioned mass march on Sunday. So far two people -- a male university student and a 38-year-old woman -- have been charged with illegally wearing masks, and supporters wore their own face coverings during a court appearance on Monday. The two were charged with unlawful assembly, which carries up to three years' jail time, and with defying the mask ban, which has a maximum one-year sentence. Both were released on bail. Lam told journalists it was "too early" to say whether the anti-mask law was effective or not. "I'm sure you'll agree that for any new policy or new legislation, it will take time to be effectively implemented," she said. Lam also would not be drawn on a suggestion by one of her cabinet members, the veteran pro-Beijing politician Ip Kwok-him, that Hong Kong may curb access to the internet in a bid to contain the protests. The leader insisted she was "very committed" to using political, legal and policy instruments, including dialogue, to address some of the "deep-seated problems" in the city. Thirteen of the city's subway stations remained closed on Tuesday following the widespread vandalism and the operator said the entire network would close at 8pm (1200 GMT). According to Hospital Authority figures, ten of the 13 people admitted to hospital over the weekend were in a stable condition on Tuesday while three had been discharged. 'Humane solution' US President Donald Trump on Monday urged a "humane solution" in Hong Kong but noted that the crowds protesting against Chinese authorities were smaller than before. "We just want to see a humane solution," Trump said in comments to reporters. "I think they have to do that in a peaceful manner." He remarked on the "great people over there" and said, "they're flying the American flag." But Trump avoided expressing support for the protesters' unprecedented show of defiance against Chinese communist rule and questioned whether they were losing steam. At the start, "I saw two million people. I've never seen anything like it," Trump said. "The crowd size is much smaller now, so maybe that's saying something."

Hong Kong 'won't rule out' Chinese help over protests: Leader Carrie Lam

Hong Kong opened for business on Tuesday after a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-cabinet-member-floats-internet-curbs-to-contain-unrest-254254">violent long weekend</a>, with its metro rail system only partially functioning and authorities warning residents they may have trouble commuting due to widespread vandalism of infrastructure.

The Chinese-ruled city braced for more demonstrations through the week and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nba-rockets-executive-says-hong-kong-tweet-not-meant-to-offend-254149">embattled leader Carrie Lam</a> was due to address the media at a weekly news conference on Tuesday morning after the most violent clashes in around four months of anti-government unrest.

The protests, which show no sign of abating, pose the biggest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012.

Two teenage protesters have been shot, one in the chest and the other in the leg, during skirmishes with police in some of the recent violence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bear-consequences-for-your-actions-chinese-soldiers-issues-warning-to-hong-kong-protesters-254129">Hong Kong's metro</a>, which carries about 5 million passengers a day, said on Tuesday some stations would not open for service because damaged facilities needed to be repaired. Train service would also end at 8 pm (1200 GMT), more than four hours earlier than normal.

MTR Corp was forced to shut down in an unprecedented move after arson attacks on Friday night and only partially operated during the weekend, with protesters again setting stations ablaze and destroying ticketing machines. The closures largely paralysed transportation around much of the Asian financial hub.

The Hong Kong government said in a statement early on Tuesday "a large group of masked rioters repeatedly committed destructive acts extensively", including "dropping a bicycle from height" that hit and injured a police officer. Roads were also blocked in various districts, it said.

ATMs, Chinese banks and scores of shops were vandalised during violent protests over the long weekend, some of which drew tens of thousands of people. Many restaurants and malls closed early over what is typically a very busy holiday period.

That followed the decision by authorities to impose a ban on face masks, which protesters use to protect their identity, on Friday under colonial-era emergency powers.

Residents awoke on Tuesday to anti-police graffiti and streets littered with broken bricks and metal barricades from weekend clashes, during which police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon to subdue petrol bomb-throwing protesters.

The protests have plunged the former British colony into its worst political crisis in decades and are taking a growing toll on Hong Kong's economy, hitting its important tourism and retail sectors as it faces its first recession in a decade.

What started as opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill has grown into a pro-democracy movement against what is seen as Beijing's increasing grip on the city, which protesters say undermines a "one country, two systems" formula promised when Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

China dismisses such accusations, saying foreign governments, including Britain and the United States, have fanned anti-China sentiment.

The ban on face masks inflamed protests and angered many Hong Kongers who fear a further erosion of their civil liberties.

Hong Kong opened for business on Tuesday after a violent long weekend, with its metro rail system only partially functioning and authorities warning residents they may have trouble commuting due to widespread vandalism of infrastructure.

Hong Kong opened for business on Tuesday after a violent long weekend, with its metro rail system only partially functioning and authorities warning residents they may have trouble commuting due to widespread vandalism of infrastructure. The Chinese-ruled city braced for more demonstrations through the week and embattled leader Carrie Lam was due to address the media at a weekly news conference on Tuesday morning after the most violent clashes in around four months of anti-government unrest. The protests, which show no sign of abating, pose the biggest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012. Two teenage protesters have been shot, one in the chest and the other in the leg, during skirmishes with police in some of the recent violence. Hong Kong's metro, which carries about 5 million passengers a day, said on Tuesday some stations would not open for service because damaged facilities needed to be repaired. Train service would also end at 8 pm (1200 GMT), more than four hours earlier than normal. MTR Corp was forced to shut down in an unprecedented move after arson attacks on Friday night and only partially operated during the weekend, with protesters again setting stations ablaze and destroying ticketing machines. The closures largely paralysed transportation around much of the Asian financial hub. The Hong Kong government said in a statement early on Tuesday "a large group of masked rioters repeatedly committed destructive acts extensively", including "dropping a bicycle from height" that hit and injured a police officer. Roads were also blocked in various districts, it said. ATMs, Chinese banks and scores of shops were vandalised during violent protests over the long weekend, some of which drew tens of thousands of people. Many restaurants and malls closed early over what is typically a very busy holiday period. That followed the decision by authorities to impose a ban on face masks, which protesters use to protect their identity, on Friday under colonial-era emergency powers. Residents awoke on Tuesday to anti-police graffiti and streets littered with broken bricks and metal barricades from weekend clashes, during which police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon to subdue petrol bomb-throwing protesters. The protests have plunged the former British colony into its worst political crisis in decades and are taking a growing toll on Hong Kong's economy, hitting its important tourism and retail sectors as it faces its first recession in a decade. What started as opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill has grown into a pro-democracy movement against what is seen as Beijing's increasing grip on the city, which protesters say undermines a "one country, two systems" formula promised when Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997. China dismisses such accusations, saying foreign governments, including Britain and the United States, have fanned anti-China sentiment. The ban on face masks inflamed protests and angered many Hong Kongers who fear a further erosion of their civil liberties.

With metro still partially functioning, Hong Kong opens for business after violent clashes

Hong Kong's government may curb access to the internet in a bid to contain months of increasingly violent pro-democracy protests, a cabinet member told on Monday, after an emergency-law ban on demonstrators wearing face masks failed to quell the unrest.

Hong Kong's government may curb access to the internet in a bid to contain months of increasingly violent pro-democracy protests, a cabinet member told on Monday, after an emergency-law ban on demonstrators wearing face masks failed to quell the unrest. The warning came as the international financial hub remained partly paralysed from three days of protests in which the city's rail network and business outlets are seen as pro-China were badly vandalised. The surge in protests was in response to the Hong Kong government's announcement on Friday it would invoke colonial-era emergency laws not used for more than 50 years to ban demonstrators from wearing face masks. Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the ban was needed to contain the unrest, which began nearly four months ago and has seen millions of people take to the streets demanding China stop strangling their freedoms. Ip Kwok-him, a veteran pro-Beijing politician and member of Hong Kong's executive council, fuelled those concerns when he said controls on the internet could be introduced. "As long as there are possible ways to stamp down on the riots, the government will not rule out the possibility of placing a ban on the internet," he told. Ip said the internet has been crucial to protesters, who have no public leaders and use online forums and encrypted messaging apps to mobilise. But he said the government recognised any online shutdown could have a knock-on effect. "I think a condition for implementing the Internet ban would be not to affect any businesses in Hong Kong," he said. The executive council is Hong Kong's cabinet, an advisory body to Lam. She announced the ban on face masks immediately after meeting with the council on Friday. First mask arrests in court On Monday morning, a male university student and a 38-year-old woman were the first people to be charged with illegally wearing masks as supporters packed the courtroom, many wearing face coverings. They were both charged with unlawful assembly, which carries up to three years of jail time, and with defying the mask ban, which has a maximum one-year sentence. Both were released on bail. Outside the court, demonstrators queued to get in, some chanting slogans like "Wearing a face mask isn't a crime" and "The law is unjust". Many said they feared the mask ban was just the first of more emergency orders to come. "It's an excuse to just introduce other totalitarian laws, next is martial law," one protester outside the court, who gave his surname Lo, told. Few concessions The protests were ignited by a now-scrapped plan to allow extraditions of criminal suspects to the mainland. This fuelled fears of an erosion of liberties promised under the 50-year "one country, two systems" model China agreed to ahead of the 1997 handover by Britain. After Beijing and local leaders took a hard stance to the initial protests, the demonstrations snowballed into a wider movement calling for more democratic freedoms and police accountability. Lam has refused major concessions, but struggled to come up with any political solution. The past week has seen a particularly intense stretch of protests. The worst clashes to date erupted on Tuesday as China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule, with a teenager shot and wounded by police as he attacked an officer. Over the weekend largely peaceful flash mob rallies and marches featured people wearing masks. But more hardcore protesters also went on the rampage, trashing subway stations, ransacking government offices and vandalising businesses with mainland ties. Large parts of the railway network closed over the weekend because of the vandalism, while many shops and malls were shuttered. Some subways stations and shops remained closed on Monday, a public holiday in Hong Kong. Unsanctioned gatherings of masked protesters took place at multiple malls across the city on Monday afternoon. PLA warning Sunday witnessed the largest protests, with police firing tear gas to disperse tens of thousands of people marching on the main island. Clashes broke out at multiple other locations throughout the day, with dozens injured. A warning flag was even raised on the roof of a People's Liberation Army barracks after protesters shone laser pens at the building, the first time Chinese troops in the city have made such a move. On the mainland, Beijing flexed its muscles by pulling a top US basketball team's games from state broadcaster CCTV after its manager posted a tweet featuring the message "Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong". The Houston Rockets tried to calm the waters, issuing apologies from players and the manager.

Hong Kong cabinet member floats internet curbs to contain unrest

Hong Kong face mask ban prompts thousands to protest

Hong Kong Protest: Officer shoots at attacking protesters

Hong Kong's rail operator partially reopened the city's metro system on Sunday after an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protesters-gather-in-mall-to-read-out-declaration-forming-provisional-city-government-253912">unprecedented shutdown</a> but kept many typically busy stations closed as the Chinese territory braced for large demonstrations later in the day.

Violent protests erupted across the Asian financial centre on Friday hours after its embattled leader Carrie Lam invoked colonial-era emergency powers, last used more than 50 years ago, to curb months of unrest.

The night's "extreme violence" justified the use of the emergency law, Beijing-backed Lam said in a television address on Saturday.

The city felt eerily quiet on Saturday with the subway and most shopping malls closed and many roads deserted. Hundreds of anti-government protesters defied a ban on face masks and took to the streets across the city earlier in the day, but by evening they had largely dispersed.

The former British colony has been roiled by increasingly violent protests for four months, which began in opposition to a bill that would have allowed extradition to mainland China but have spiralled into a broader pro-democracy movement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/as-violence-flares-in-hong-kong-a-look-at-controversial-anti-mask-ban-253884">In pics: As violence flares in Hong Kong, a look at controversial anti-mask ban</a>

Hong Kong's rail operator MTR Corp said that due to serious vandalism some stations will not be opened for service on Sunday, as damaged facilities needed time for repair. Train service would also be shortened to end at 9 p.m., more than three hours earlier than normal.

The operator's closure on Saturday had largely paralysed most of the city with its network typically carrying about 5 million passengers a day.

Supermarkets and commercial stores which shuttered on Saturday had mostly reopened by Sunday morning.

Many restaurants and small businesses have had to repeatedly shut with the protests taking a growing toll on Hong Kong's economy as it faces its first recession in a decade.

Two major protests are planned for Sunday afternoon, one on the island and another on the Kowloon Peninsula with many demonstrators expected to defy a ban on face masks.

Beijing-backed Lam said a ban on face masks that took effect Saturday was ordered under the emergency laws allowing authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in whatever they deem to be in the public interest.

The move enraged protesters, who took to the streets on Friday night to vent their anger, many wearing masks in open defiance. Some set fires, hurled petrol bombs at police and burned the Chinese national flag, in a direct challenge to authorities in Beijing.

Hong Kong's rail operator partially reopened the city's metro system on Sunday after an unprecedented shutdown but kept many typically busy stations closed as the Chinese territory braced for large demonstrations later in the day.

Hong Kong's rail operator partially reopened the city's metro system on Sunday after an unprecedented shutdown but kept many typically busy stations closed as the Chinese territory braced for large demonstrations later in the day. Violent protests erupted across the Asian financial centre on Friday hours after its embattled leader Carrie Lam invoked colonial-era emergency powers, last used more than 50 years ago, to curb months of unrest. The night's "extreme violence" justified the use of the emergency law, Beijing-backed Lam said in a television address on Saturday. The city felt eerily quiet on Saturday with the subway and most shopping malls closed and many roads deserted. Hundreds of anti-government protesters defied a ban on face masks and took to the streets across the city earlier in the day, but by evening they had largely dispersed. The former British colony has been roiled by increasingly violent protests for four months, which began in opposition to a bill that would have allowed extradition to mainland China but have spiralled into a broader pro-democracy movement. In pics: As violence flares in Hong Kong, a look at controversial anti-mask ban Hong Kong's rail operator MTR Corp said that due to serious vandalism some stations will not be opened for service on Sunday, as damaged facilities needed time for repair. Train service would also be shortened to end at 9 p.m., more than three hours earlier than normal. The operator's closure on Saturday had largely paralysed most of the city with its network typically carrying about 5 million passengers a day. Supermarkets and commercial stores which shuttered on Saturday had mostly reopened by Sunday morning. Many restaurants and small businesses have had to repeatedly shut with the protests taking a growing toll on Hong Kong's economy as it faces its first recession in a decade. Two major protests are planned for Sunday afternoon, one on the island and another on the Kowloon Peninsula with many demonstrators expected to defy a ban on face masks. Beijing-backed Lam said a ban on face masks that took effect Saturday was ordered under the emergency laws allowing authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in whatever they deem to be in the public interest. The move enraged protesters, who took to the streets on Friday night to vent their anger, many wearing masks in open defiance. Some set fires, hurled petrol bombs at police and burned the Chinese national flag, in a direct challenge to authorities in Beijing.

Hong Kong metro system partially reopens as city braces for further protests

A Hong Kong court rejected on Sunday a challenge to an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-metro-system-partially-reopens-as-city-braces-for-further-protests-253992">emergency law criminalising protesters wearing face masks</a> as democracy activists hit the streets again in defiance of the ban despite half the city's subway stations remaining closed.

Thousands of protesters have staged unsanctioned flashmob rallies across the strife-torn city -- some vandalising subway stations and shops -- after Hong Kong's leader outlawed face coverings at protests, invoking colonial-era emergency powers not used for half a century.

Pro-democracy lawmakers went to the High Court on Sunday seeking an emergency injunction against the ban, arguing the emergency powers bypassed the legislature and contravened the city's mini-constitution.

But a senior judge dismissed their injunction demand.

As the ruling was being delivered, two unsanctioned rallies were kicking off on both sides of Victoria Harbour, with thousands of masked protesters gathering in torrential downpours.

After four months of huge and increasingly violent protests, the city's unelected pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam invoked a sweeping colonial-era law on Friday allowing her to make "any regulations whatsoever" during a time of public danger.

She used it to ban masks -- which protesters have used to hide their identity or protect from tear gas -- and warned she would use the powers to make new regulations if the unrest did not abate.

The move was welcomed by government supporters and Beijing.

But opponents and protesters saw it as the start of a slippery slope tipping the international finance hub into authoritarianism.

"I would say this is one of the most important constitutional cases in the history of Hong Kong," lawmaker Dennis Kwok told reporters before the ruling.

"If this emergency law just gets a pass just like that Hong Kong will be deemed into a very black hole," he added, previously likening Lam to the autocratic English monarch Henry VIII.

Two teen protesters shot

Hong Kong has been battered a summer of rage as widespread public anger seethes over Chinese rule and the police response to protests.

The rallies were ignited by a now-scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, which fuelled fears of an erosion of liberties promised under the 50-year "one country, two systems" model China agreed ahead of the 1997 handover by Britain.

After Beijing and local leaders took a hard line, the demonstrations snowballed into a wider movement calling for more democratic freedoms and police accountability.

Lam has refused major concessions but struggled to come up with any political solution, leaving police and demonstrators to fight increasingly violent battles as the city tips into recession.

The worst clashes to date erupted on Tuesday as China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule, with a teenager shot and wounded by police as he attacked an officer.

A 14-year-old boy was then shot and wounded Friday night when a plainclothes police officer, who was surrounded by a mob of protesters throwing petrol bombs, fired his sidearm.&nbsp;

That night, masked protesters went on a rampage in dozens of locations, trashing subway stations and businesses with mainland China ties.

The city's subway system -- which carries four million people daily -- was shut down entirely Friday night and throughout Saturday, bringing much of the metropolis to a halt.

Major supermarket chains and malls announced they were closing, leading to long lines and panic buying.

Thousands of masked protesters still came out onto the streets throughout Saturday despite the mask ban and transport gridlock, although the crowds were smaller than recent rallies.

Subway partially reopens

On Sunday, the subway operator said 45 stations would open but 48 remained shuttered, many of them in the heart of the city's main tourist districts as well as those areas hit hardest by the protests and vandalism.

Lam has defended her use of the emergency powers and said that she is willing to issue more executive orders if the violence continues.

"We cannot allow rioters any more to destroy our treasured Hong Kong," Lam said in a stony-faced video statement on Saturday.

But protesters have vowed to keep hitting the streets.

"The anti-face mask law is the first step," Hosun Lee, a protester in Causeway Bay, told AFP, saying he feared more laws under the emergency order were on the way.

Protester demands include an independent inquiry into the police, an amnesty for the more than 2,000 people arrested and universal suffrage -- all requests rejected by Lam and Beijing.

A Hong Kong court rejected on Sunday a challenge to an emergency law criminalising protesters wearing face masks as democracy activists hit the streets again in defiance of the ban despite half the city's subway stations remaining closed.

A Hong Kong court rejected on Sunday a challenge to an emergency law criminalising protesters wearing face masks as democracy activists hit the streets again in defiance of the ban despite half the city's subway stations remaining closed. Thousands of protesters have staged unsanctioned flashmob rallies across the strife-torn city -- some vandalising subway stations and shops -- after Hong Kong's leader outlawed face coverings at protests, invoking colonial-era emergency powers not used for half a century. Pro-democracy lawmakers went to the High Court on Sunday seeking an emergency injunction against the ban, arguing the emergency powers bypassed the legislature and contravened the city's mini-constitution. But a senior judge dismissed their injunction demand. As the ruling was being delivered, two unsanctioned rallies were kicking off on both sides of Victoria Harbour, with thousands of masked protesters gathering in torrential downpours. After four months of huge and increasingly violent protests, the city's unelected pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam invoked a sweeping colonial-era law on Friday allowing her to make "any regulations whatsoever" during a time of public danger. She used it to ban masks -- which protesters have used to hide their identity or protect from tear gas -- and warned she would use the powers to make new regulations if the unrest did not abate. The move was welcomed by government supporters and Beijing. But opponents and protesters saw it as the start of a slippery slope tipping the international finance hub into authoritarianism. "I would say this is one of the most important constitutional cases in the history of Hong Kong," lawmaker Dennis Kwok told reporters before the ruling. "If this emergency law just gets a pass just like that Hong Kong will be deemed into a very black hole," he added, previously likening Lam to the autocratic English monarch Henry VIII. Two teen protesters shot Hong Kong has been battered a summer of rage as widespread public anger seethes over Chinese rule and the police response to protests. The rallies were ignited by a now-scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, which fuelled fears of an erosion of liberties promised under the 50-year "one country, two systems" model China agreed ahead of the 1997 handover by Britain. After Beijing and local leaders took a hard line, the demonstrations snowballed into a wider movement calling for more democratic freedoms and police accountability. Lam has refused major concessions but struggled to come up with any political solution, leaving police and demonstrators to fight increasingly violent battles as the city tips into recession. The worst clashes to date erupted on Tuesday as China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule, with a teenager shot and wounded by police as he attacked an officer. A 14-year-old boy was then shot and wounded Friday night when a plainclothes police officer, who was surrounded by a mob of protesters throwing petrol bombs, fired his sidearm. That night, masked protesters went on a rampage in dozens of locations, trashing subway stations and businesses with mainland China ties. The city's subway system -- which carries four million people daily -- was shut down entirely Friday night and throughout Saturday, bringing much of the metropolis to a halt. Major supermarket chains and malls announced they were closing, leading to long lines and panic buying. Thousands of masked protesters still came out onto the streets throughout Saturday despite the mask ban and transport gridlock, although the crowds were smaller than recent rallies. Subway partially reopens On Sunday, the subway operator said 45 stations would open but 48 remained shuttered, many of them in the heart of the city's main tourist districts as well as those areas hit hardest by the protests and vandalism. Lam has defended her use of the emergency powers and said that she is willing to issue more executive orders if the violence continues. "We cannot allow rioters any more to destroy our treasured Hong Kong," Lam said in a stony-faced video statement on Saturday. But protesters have vowed to keep hitting the streets. "The anti-face mask law is the first step," Hosun Lee, a protester in Causeway Bay, told AFP, saying he feared more laws under the emergency order were on the way. Protester demands include an independent inquiry into the police, an amnesty for the more than 2,000 people arrested and universal suffrage -- all requests rejected by Lam and Beijing.

Hong Kong court rejects mask ban challenge as fresh protests break out

In one peaceful community previously untouched by the months of unrest that have shaken Hong Kong, it was an unexpected sight, the methodical ransacking of the local subway station over a three-hour period.

Clashes raged in multiple locations throughout the former British colony on Friday night after Hong Kong's leader invoked colonial-era emergency powers to ban pro-democracy protesters wearing face masks.

Police used tear gas to disperse protesters who had taken over roads, vandalised subway stations, set street fires and trashed pro-China businesses -- testing again the capacity of the city's law enforcement, who many accuse of using excessive force.&nbsp;

Around 8:30 pm on Friday, it was the turn of Tseung Kwan O, which sits across a bay from the main island of Hong Kong.

For three hours, not one police officer was visible in the district, which is popular with Westerners.

'Like a queen'

The demonstrators had all the time in the world to ransack the local station run by the MTR Corp, the company operating the city's underground rail system, which the protesters accuse of siding with the pro-Beijing government.

"MTR supports the government by closing stations on purpose to prevent demonstrators moving around," said one student, 19, who identified himself only as JC.

"But they help transport the police," he said, as rail services were suspended throughout the semi-autonomous territory's network.

"Banning masks doesn't change anything," added JC, hiding his own face -- like other protesters -- to avoid being identified for prosecution.

Tape covers his fingertips so he leaves no prints.

"The main problem is that she goes through the law without the LegCo," JC continued, referring to Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam who was appointed by an overwhelmingly Beijing-friendly committee.

Under sweeping powers unveiled on Friday, Lam does not need the approval of the city's legislature, known as LegCo, to introduce laws.

"She's like a queen now," JC said.

As in many of Hong Kong's New Towns, the subway station is the nerve centre of local life.

Graffiti at the entrance read: "Communist railway".

Inside, fire hoses were unwound and water flowed down escalators leading to train platforms.

The sprinklers were activated too, and the floor flooded as loudspeakers blared an automated message about the "emergency," telling people to leave immediately.

Outside, armed with metal barriers, protesters systematically broke each pane of glass along a 200-metre (600-foot) facade.

'Upping our game'

"What happened wasn't planned," Nathalie, a 32-year-old worker, said enthusiastically, hailing the movement's ability to mobilise through social networks.

"That's the most impressive part of the movement. Everything was triggered by the press conference" at which Lam announced the mask ban, Nathalie adds.

"The government doesn't listen to us. So we are upping our game."

By 11:30 pm, six vans arrived near an intersection beside the MTR station where hundreds of protesters had erected small makeshift barricades.

About 20 riot police finally appeared. The protesters pulled back and JC changed from his black jacket -- the colour of clothing favoured by protesters -- into something in a less conspicuous shade.

Then he melted away.

A shirtless man, cigarette in his mouth and beer in hand, walked to the middle of the junction to challenge the officers, much to the approval of the demonstrators.

Then he backed down.

By 11:45 pm, more than three hours after it all began, the police got back in their vans and headed off.

Protesters let out cries of joy, then very quickly dispersed, leaving the residents of Tseung Kwan O to pick up the pieces.

In one peaceful community previously untouched by the months of unrest that have shaken Hong Kong, it was an unexpected sight, the methodical ransacking of the local subway station over a three-hour period.

In one peaceful community previously untouched by the months of unrest that have shaken Hong Kong, it was an unexpected sight, the methodical ransacking of the local subway station over a three-hour period. Clashes raged in multiple locations throughout the former British colony on Friday night after Hong Kong's leader invoked colonial-era emergency powers to ban pro-democracy protesters wearing face masks. Police used tear gas to disperse protesters who had taken over roads, vandalised subway stations, set street fires and trashed pro-China businesses -- testing again the capacity of the city's law enforcement, who many accuse of using excessive force. Around 8:30 pm on Friday, it was the turn of Tseung Kwan O, which sits across a bay from the main island of Hong Kong. For three hours, not one police officer was visible in the district, which is popular with Westerners. 'Like a queen' The demonstrators had all the time in the world to ransack the local station run by the MTR Corp, the company operating the city's underground rail system, which the protesters accuse of siding with the pro-Beijing government. "MTR supports the government by closing stations on purpose to prevent demonstrators moving around," said one student, 19, who identified himself only as JC. "But they help transport the police," he said, as rail services were suspended throughout the semi-autonomous territory's network. "Banning masks doesn't change anything," added JC, hiding his own face -- like other protesters -- to avoid being identified for prosecution. Tape covers his fingertips so he leaves no prints. "The main problem is that she goes through the law without the LegCo," JC continued, referring to Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam who was appointed by an overwhelmingly Beijing-friendly committee. Under sweeping powers unveiled on Friday, Lam does not need the approval of the city's legislature, known as LegCo, to introduce laws. "She's like a queen now," JC said. As in many of Hong Kong's New Towns, the subway station is the nerve centre of local life. Graffiti at the entrance read: "Communist railway". Inside, fire hoses were unwound and water flowed down escalators leading to train platforms. The sprinklers were activated too, and the floor flooded as loudspeakers blared an automated message about the "emergency," telling people to leave immediately. Outside, armed with metal barriers, protesters systematically broke each pane of glass along a 200-metre (600-foot) facade. 'Upping our game' "What happened wasn't planned," Nathalie, a 32-year-old worker, said enthusiastically, hailing the movement's ability to mobilise through social networks. "That's the most impressive part of the movement. Everything was triggered by the press conference" at which Lam announced the mask ban, Nathalie adds. "The government doesn't listen to us. So we are upping our game." By 11:30 pm, six vans arrived near an intersection beside the MTR station where hundreds of protesters had erected small makeshift barricades. About 20 riot police finally appeared. The protesters pulled back and JC changed from his black jacket -- the colour of clothing favoured by protesters -- into something in a less conspicuous shade. Then he melted away. A shirtless man, cigarette in his mouth and beer in hand, walked to the middle of the junction to challenge the officers, much to the approval of the demonstrators. Then he backed down. By 11:45 pm, more than three hours after it all began, the police got back in their vans and headed off. Protesters let out cries of joy, then very quickly dispersed, leaving the residents of Tseung Kwan O to pick up the pieces.

Violence reaches a once peaceful Hong Kong suburb

Hong Kong's rail operator said the entire metro system would remain shut on Saturday in an unprecedented move as the city braced for more demonstrations after a night of chaos when police shot a teenage boy and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/hong-kong-tycoon-li-ka-shing-donates-128-million-to-support-local-business-253662">pro-democracy protesters torched businesses</a> and metro stations.

Violent protests erupted across the Chinese-ruled city hours after its embattled leader Carrie Lam invoked colonial-era emergency powers last used more than 50 years ago.

For four months the city has been roiled by increasingly violent protests, which began in opposition to a bill introduced in April that would have allowed extradition to mainland China but have spiralled into a broader pro-democracy movement.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-must-protect-freedom-of-assembly-un-rights-office-253732">Beijing-backed leader</a> said a ban on face masks that took effect Saturday was ordered under the emergency laws that allow authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in whatever they deem to be in the public interest.

But the move enraged protesters, who took to the streets as darkness fell to vent their anger. They set fires, hurled petrol bombs at police and burned the Chinese national flag, in a direct challenge to authorities in Beijing.

Watch: Hong Kong protest - anti-mask&nbsp;law to be implemented HK Government

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Police said an officer in Yuen Long, a district in the outlying New Territories that saw fierce clashes in July, had fired a shot in self-defence after a protester threw a petrol bomb at him, setting him on fire.

Local media reported a 14-year-old boy had been shot and the city’s Hospital Authority said a 14-year-old was in a serious condition, without giving further details.

Rail operator MTR corp suspended the whole network, leaving people stranded across the city, many forced to walk home.

In a statement, it said protesters had set fires at multiple stations, including to an empty train, and injured two staff.

"As we are no longer in a position to provide safe and reliable service to passengers in the circumstances, the Corporation had no choice but to make the decision to suspend the service of its entire network including Heavy Rail, Light Rail and MTR bus," it said in a statement on Saturday morning.

The airport express, the city's main link to the airport, would also stay closed, it said, while more than a dozen shopping malls, which shut their doors early on Friday in anticipation of violence, said they would also not re-open.

Around a hundred demonstrators besieged a Bank of China (HK) branch in the high-end shopping district of Causeway Bay, while across the harbour in Kowloon district protesters smashed the glass store front of a China Life branch.

Police fired volleys of tear gas to disperse protesters in flashpoint districts across the territory, including Causeway Bay, Sha Tin and Wong Tai Sin, underscoring the challenges facing authorities as the protests show no sign of letting up.

Further demonstrations are planned for the weekend, including a march on Saturday from Salisbury Garden in Kowloon.

Hong Kong's rail operator said the entire metro system would remain shut on Saturday in an unprecedented move as the city braced for more demonstrations after a night of chaos when police shot a teenage boy and pro-democracy protesters torched businesses and metro stations.

Hong Kong's rail operator said the entire metro system would remain shut on Saturday in an unprecedented move as the city braced for more demonstrations after a night of chaos when police shot a teenage boy and pro-democracy protesters torched businesses and metro stations. Violent protests erupted across the Chinese-ruled city hours after its embattled leader Carrie Lam invoked colonial-era emergency powers last used more than 50 years ago. For four months the city has been roiled by increasingly violent protests, which began in opposition to a bill introduced in April that would have allowed extradition to mainland China but have spiralled into a broader pro-democracy movement. The Beijing-backed leader said a ban on face masks that took effect Saturday was ordered under the emergency laws that allow authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in whatever they deem to be in the public interest. But the move enraged protesters, who took to the streets as darkness fell to vent their anger. They set fires, hurled petrol bombs at police and burned the Chinese national flag, in a direct challenge to authorities in Beijing. Watch: Hong Kong protest - anti-mask law to be implemented HK Government × Police said an officer in Yuen Long, a district in the outlying New Territories that saw fierce clashes in July, had fired a shot in self-defence after a protester threw a petrol bomb at him, setting him on fire. Local media reported a 14-year-old boy had been shot and the city’s Hospital Authority said a 14-year-old was in a serious condition, without giving further details. Rail operator MTR corp suspended the whole network, leaving people stranded across the city, many forced to walk home. In a statement, it said protesters had set fires at multiple stations, including to an empty train, and injured two staff. "As we are no longer in a position to provide safe and reliable service to passengers in the circumstances, the Corporation had no choice but to make the decision to suspend the service of its entire network including Heavy Rail, Light Rail and MTR bus," it said in a statement on Saturday morning. The airport express, the city's main link to the airport, would also stay closed, it said, while more than a dozen shopping malls, which shut their doors early on Friday in anticipation of violence, said they would also not re-open. Around a hundred demonstrators besieged a Bank of China (HK) branch in the high-end shopping district of Causeway Bay, while across the harbour in Kowloon district protesters smashed the glass store front of a China Life branch. Police fired volleys of tear gas to disperse protesters in flashpoint districts across the territory, including Causeway Bay, Sha Tin and Wong Tai Sin, underscoring the challenges facing authorities as the protests show no sign of letting up. Further demonstrations are planned for the weekend, including a march on Saturday from Salisbury Garden in Kowloon.

Hong Kong metro system to remain shut as city reels from night of violent protests

Carrie Lam said a ban on face masks would take effect from October 5 under the emergency laws that allow authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in whatever they deem to be in the public interest.

Hong Kong Protest: Anti Mask law to be implemented HK Government

As violence flares in Hong Kong, a look at controversial anti-mask ban

China Steps Up Authoritarian Crackdown On Pro-Democracy Protesters In Hong Kong.

Gravitas: Hong Kong outlaws face masks: Colonial-era emergency law invoked!

Hong Kong's government was expected to meet Friday to discuss using a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-set-to-ban-face-masks-in-bid-to-curb-violence-media-253483"> colonial-era emergency law </a>to ban pro-democracy protesters from wearing face masks, in a move opponents said would be a turning point that tips the financial hub into authoritarianism.

Seething public anger against Chinese rule of the semi-autonomous city has exploded into huge demonstrations and increasingly violent confrontations, with no sign of an end to nearly four months of unrest.

Protesters have used face masks to avoid identification -- along with yellow helmets, goggles and respirators to protect themselves from tear gas and police projectiles.

Local media reported embattled leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/investors-keep-their-faith-in-hong-kong-markets-despite-protests-253372">Carrie Lam </a>was expected to meet her cabinet on Friday morning to decide whether they should enact the Emergency Regulations Ordinance to ban all face coverings.

If passed, the ban would likely be announced later in the afternoon and come into force at midnight, a government source told the South China Morning Post.

The expected ban comes after Hong Kong was rocked by the worst violence on the summer on Tuesday, the same day China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule.

Street battles raged for hours between riot police and hardcore protesters while a teenager who was part of a group that attacked police with umbrellas and poles was shot in the chest with a live round -- the first such shooting since the protests began.

Watch: Hong Kong protesters hit police station with petrol bombs

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Pro-establishment lawmakers and a prominent police officer association have ramped up their calls for the government to invoke the emergency laws, which were last used 52 years ago by the British during deadly leftist riots.&nbsp;

The law allows the city's leader to make "any regulations whatsoever" in the event of an emergency or public danger without the need to go via's the city's parliament.

During the 1967 riots -- a period where more than 50 people were killed in a year-long leftist bombing and murder spree -- the British used the ERO to give police extra powers of arrest and rolled out widespread censorship of the press.

Government supporters say emergency powers are needed to combat the increased violence of hardcore protesters.

But critics have countered that bypassing the legislature and giving Lam the power to make any law would be a slippery slope for an international finance hub that owes its economic success to its reputation for rule of law and judicial independence.

"This is a watershed. This is a Rubicon," pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo told AFP.

"And I'm worried this could be just a starter. More draconian bans in the name of law could be lurking around the corner," she added.&nbsp;

It is also not clear how a face mask ban would be enforceable.&nbsp;

Since a deadly SARS outbreak in 2003 that killed more than 300 people, face masks have become ubiquitous in Hong Kong.

Even moderate protesters have already shown a willingness to break the law in huge numbers, repeatedly defying police warnings to appear at unsanctioned rallies in their tens of thousands.

Hong Kong's government was expected to meet Friday to discuss using a colonial-era emergency law to ban pro-democracy protesters from wearing face masks, in a move opponents said would be a turning point that tips the financial hub into authoritarianism.

Hong Kong's government was expected to meet Friday to discuss using a colonial-era emergency law to ban pro-democracy protesters from wearing face masks, in a move opponents said would be a turning point that tips the financial hub into authoritarianism. Seething public anger against Chinese rule of the semi-autonomous city has exploded into huge demonstrations and increasingly violent confrontations, with no sign of an end to nearly four months of unrest. Protesters have used face masks to avoid identification -- along with yellow helmets, goggles and respirators to protect themselves from tear gas and police projectiles. Local media reported embattled leader Carrie Lam was expected to meet her cabinet on Friday morning to decide whether they should enact the Emergency Regulations Ordinance to ban all face coverings. If passed, the ban would likely be announced later in the afternoon and come into force at midnight, a government source told the South China Morning Post. The expected ban comes after Hong Kong was rocked by the worst violence on the summer on Tuesday, the same day China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule. Street battles raged for hours between riot police and hardcore protesters while a teenager who was part of a group that attacked police with umbrellas and poles was shot in the chest with a live round -- the first such shooting since the protests began. Watch: Hong Kong protesters hit police station with petrol bombs × Pro-establishment lawmakers and a prominent police officer association have ramped up their calls for the government to invoke the emergency laws, which were last used 52 years ago by the British during deadly leftist riots. The law allows the city's leader to make "any regulations whatsoever" in the event of an emergency or public danger without the need to go via's the city's parliament. During the 1967 riots -- a period where more than 50 people were killed in a year-long leftist bombing and murder spree -- the British used the ERO to give police extra powers of arrest and rolled out widespread censorship of the press. Government supporters say emergency powers are needed to combat the increased violence of hardcore protesters. But critics have countered that bypassing the legislature and giving Lam the power to make any law would be a slippery slope for an international finance hub that owes its economic success to its reputation for rule of law and judicial independence. "This is a watershed. This is a Rubicon," pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo told AFP. "And I'm worried this could be just a starter. More draconian bans in the name of law could be lurking around the corner," she added. It is also not clear how a face mask ban would be enforceable. Since a deadly SARS outbreak in 2003 that killed more than 300 people, face masks have become ubiquitous in Hong Kong. Even moderate protesters have already shown a willingness to break the law in huge numbers, repeatedly defying police warnings to appear at unsanctioned rallies in their tens of thousands.

Hong Kong government to meet today to discuss face mask ban at protests

The United Nations human rights office said on Friday that any new government measures to cope with protests in Hong Kong must be grounded in law and protect the right to freedom of assembly.

Any use of force should be exceptional and only in compliance with international standards, including the principles of necessity and proportionality, U.N. human rights spokeswoman Marta Hurtado told a Geneva briefing.

Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam invoked <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-carrie-lam-invokes-emergency-powers-to-try-to-quell-escalating-violence-253702">colonial-era emergency powers </a>on Friday for the first time in more than 50 years, in a dramatic move intended to quell escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city.

Lam said a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-might-ban-face-masks-in-bid-to-curb-violence-253652">ban on face masks</a> would take effect on Saturday under the emergency laws that allow authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in whatever they deem to be in the public interest.

Hurtado, asked about the measures, said, "Any restriction must have a basis in law and be proportionate and as least intrusive as possible. Freedom of peaceful assembly is a fundamental right and should be enjoyed without restriction to the greatest extent possible."

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firing-of-live-rounds-was-lawful-and-fair-hong-kong-police-defends-use-of-live-ammunition-253181"> use of firearms</a> was only acceptable as a "last resort", and only to protect against an immediate threat, she added.

The United Nations human rights office said on Friday that any new government measures to cope with protests in Hong Kong must be grounded in law and protect the right to freedom of assembly.

The United Nations human rights office said on Friday that any new government measures to cope with protests in Hong Kong must be grounded in law and protect the right to freedom of assembly. Any use of force should be exceptional and only in compliance with international standards, including the principles of necessity and proportionality, U.N. human rights spokeswoman Marta Hurtado told a Geneva briefing. Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam invoked colonial-era emergency powers on Friday for the first time in more than 50 years, in a dramatic move intended to quell escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city. Lam said a ban on face masks would take effect on Saturday under the emergency laws that allow authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in whatever they deem to be in the public interest. Hurtado, asked about the measures, said, "Any restriction must have a basis in law and be proportionate and as least intrusive as possible. Freedom of peaceful assembly is a fundamental right and should be enjoyed without restriction to the greatest extent possible." The use of firearms was only acceptable as a "last resort", and only to protect against an immediate threat, she added.

Hong Kong must protect freedom of assembly: U.N. rights office

The colonial-era law that gives Hong Kong leader sweeping powers

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday Hong Kong leader<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-invokes-emergency-powers-to-quell-escalating-violence-253684"> Carrie Lam</a> should step down following months of protests against her government and he predicted China would take action to end the demonstrations.

Growing opposition to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-government-to-meet-today-to-discuss-face-mask-ban-at-protests-253612">Hong Kong government</a> has plunged the financial hub into its biggest political crisis in decades and poses the gravest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012.

Speaking at a conference in Kuala Lumpur, Mahathir, referring to Beijing, said Lam "has to obey the masters and at the same time she has to ask her conscience."

"I think best thing is to resign," Mahathir said, according to a recording of comments, heard by Reuters, that he made when asked what advice he might give Lam.

Watch Video: Carrie Lam invokes emergency powers to try to quell escalating violence

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Mahathir also said he expected China to take action against the protesters, drawing a parallel to student protests in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peoples-republic-of-china-celebrates-70th-anniversary-in-beijing-253107/amp">Tiananmen Square</a> in 1989.

"Yes, they allowed you to demonstrate and all that but eventually in a system that is authoritarian they will come back and do what they have to do," he said.

Mahathir, 94, is one of Asia's most experienced and outspoken leaders. He was prime minister for 22 years from 1981, only to come out of retirement last year to head a government after an opposition election victory.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-protests-as-hong-kong-government-mulls-face-mask-ban-253638">protests </a>in Hong Kong began over a now-withdrawn extradition bill, which would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial, and have intensified markedly since June. They have also evolved into wider calls for democracy, among other demands.

Demonstrators are angry at what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in their city's affairs despite a promise of autonomy in the "one country, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong returned to China in 1997.

China dismisses accusations it is meddling and has accused foreign governments, including the United States and Britain, of stirring up the anti-China sentiment.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam should step down following months of protests against her government and he predicted China would take action to end the demonstrations.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam should step down following months of protests against her government and he predicted China would take action to end the demonstrations. Growing opposition to the Hong Kong government has plunged the financial hub into its biggest political crisis in decades and poses the gravest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012. Speaking at a conference in Kuala Lumpur, Mahathir, referring to Beijing, said Lam "has to obey the masters and at the same time she has to ask her conscience." "I think best thing is to resign," Mahathir said, according to a recording of comments, heard by Reuters, that he made when asked what advice he might give Lam. Watch Video: Carrie Lam invokes emergency powers to try to quell escalating violence × Mahathir also said he expected China to take action against the protesters, drawing a parallel to student protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989. "Yes, they allowed you to demonstrate and all that but eventually in a system that is authoritarian they will come back and do what they have to do," he said. Mahathir, 94, is one of Asia's most experienced and outspoken leaders. He was prime minister for 22 years from 1981, only to come out of retirement last year to head a government after an opposition election victory. The protests in Hong Kong began over a now-withdrawn extradition bill, which would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial, and have intensified markedly since June. They have also evolved into wider calls for democracy, among other demands. Demonstrators are angry at what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in their city's affairs despite a promise of autonomy in the "one country, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong returned to China in 1997. China dismisses accusations it is meddling and has accused foreign governments, including the United States and Britain, of stirring up the anti-China sentiment.

I think best thing for Hong Kong's Carrie Lam is to resign: Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad

Hong Kong's embattled leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-protests-as-hong-kong-government-mulls-face-mask-ban-253638">Carrie Lam</a> on Friday invoked colonial-era emergency powers for the first time in more than 50 years in a dramatic move intended to quell escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city.

Lam, speaking at a news conference, said a ban on face masks would take effect on Saturday under the emergency laws that allow authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in whatever they deem to be in the public interest.

<a href="https://wionews.com/world/hong-kong-government-to-meet-today-to-discuss-face-mask-ban-at-protests-253612">Many protesters</a> wear masks to hide their identity due to fears employers could face pressure to take action against them.

It was not clear how the government would implement the mask ban in a city where many of its 7.4 million residents wear them every day to protect against infection following the outbreak of the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003.

Four months of anti-government protests have plunged the former British colony into its biggest political crisis since its handover to Beijing in 1997 and have created a serious challenge to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Violence escalated on Tuesday, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, when police fired about 1,800 volleys of tear gas, 900 rubber bullets and six live bullets - one of which hit an 18-year-old.

The student, Tony Tsang, was shot at close range as he fought an officer with what appeared to be a white pole. He has been charged with rioting, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence, and assaulting an officer. Tsang is in stable condition in hospital.

The shooting enraged protesters who rampaged across the city, throwing petrol bombs, blocking roads and starting fires as police responded with tear gas.

'More serious'

Even before the new rules were confirmed, protests against them began across the Asian financial hub, with hundreds of office workers wearing masks gathering to march.

"Police brutality is becoming more serious and the set up of an anti-mask law is to threaten us from protesting," said one protester, who asked to be identified as just Chan, a 27-year-old financial industry worker.

Pro-Beijing groups had been pushing for legislation to ban face masks at demonstrations.

The protesters are angry about what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in their city's affairs despite a promise of autonomy in the "one country, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong returned to China in 1997.

China dismisses accusations it is meddling and has accused foreign governments, including the United States and Britain, of stirring up anti-China sentiment.

What began as opposition to a proposed extradition law, that could have seen people sent for trial in mainland courts, has grown into a call for five demands, including universal suffrage and an inquiry into alleged police brutality.

The protests have been inflamed by the police shooting of a teenaged secondary school student on Tuesday during a clash, and more rallies are expected later in the evening and over the weekend.

Authorities have already loosened guidelines on the use of force by police, according to documents seen by Reuters.

(Reporting by Twinnie Siu, James Pomfret and Felix Tam; Writing by Farah Master; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree, Robert&nbsp;

Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam on Friday invoked colonial-era emergency powers for the first time in more than 50 years in a dramatic move intended to quell escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city.

Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam on Friday invoked colonial-era emergency powers for the first time in more than 50 years in a dramatic move intended to quell escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city. Lam, speaking at a news conference, said a ban on face masks would take effect on Saturday under the emergency laws that allow authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in whatever they deem to be in the public interest. Many protesters wear masks to hide their identity due to fears employers could face pressure to take action against them. It was not clear how the government would implement the mask ban in a city where many of its 7.4 million residents wear them every day to protect against infection following the outbreak of the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003. Four months of anti-government protests have plunged the former British colony into its biggest political crisis since its handover to Beijing in 1997 and have created a serious challenge to Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Violence escalated on Tuesday, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, when police fired about 1,800 volleys of tear gas, 900 rubber bullets and six live bullets - one of which hit an 18-year-old. The student, Tony Tsang, was shot at close range as he fought an officer with what appeared to be a white pole. He has been charged with rioting, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence, and assaulting an officer. Tsang is in stable condition in hospital. The shooting enraged protesters who rampaged across the city, throwing petrol bombs, blocking roads and starting fires as police responded with tear gas. 'More serious' Even before the new rules were confirmed, protests against them began across the Asian financial hub, with hundreds of office workers wearing masks gathering to march. "Police brutality is becoming more serious and the set up of an anti-mask law is to threaten us from protesting," said one protester, who asked to be identified as just Chan, a 27-year-old financial industry worker. Pro-Beijing groups had been pushing for legislation to ban face masks at demonstrations. The protesters are angry about what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in their city's affairs despite a promise of autonomy in the "one country, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong returned to China in 1997. China dismisses accusations it is meddling and has accused foreign governments, including the United States and Britain, of stirring up anti-China sentiment. What began as opposition to a proposed extradition law, that could have seen people sent for trial in mainland courts, has grown into a call for five demands, including universal suffrage and an inquiry into alleged police brutality. The protests have been inflamed by the police shooting of a teenaged secondary school student on Tuesday during a clash, and more rallies are expected later in the evening and over the weekend. Authorities have already loosened guidelines on the use of force by police, according to documents seen by Reuters. (Reporting by Twinnie Siu, James Pomfret and Felix Tam; Writing by Farah Master; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree, Robert

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam invokes emergency powers to quell escalating violence

Hong Kong protests: HK police fire tear gas at protesters. Watch video to know more.

Hong Kong protests: HK police fire tear gas at protesters

As China gears up to celebrate 70th anniversary of its founding, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/missiles-and-pyrotechnics-china-set-to-celebrate-70th-anniversary-252799#doves-and-floats-252789">President Xi Jinping said Hong Kong</a> has the "homeland's full support" and it "must develop and progress together with the mainland".

China is preparing for the grand carnival on Tuesday with a military parade where it is set to showcase tanks, bombers, a supersonic drone and a new intercontinental ballistic missile. Xi is expected to watch from the south entrance of Beijing, the same spot where Mao proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Watch Video:

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"We should strictly do things in accordance with the constitution and the basic law," Xi said while addressing a banquet attended by foreign visitors, Chinese ethnic minorities, soldiers, athletes and government officials.

"I believe that with the homeland's full support, and the joint effort of all compatriots who love the country, Hong Kong and Macau, Hong Kong and Macau must develop and progress together with the mainland and become better places in the future," the Chinese president added.

Xi's statement comes as Hong Kong police superintendent John Tse said he was expecting the situation tomorrow be "very, very dangerous".

"Core rioters are increasing their violence. The depth and breadth of their violence and plans show that they are increasingly resorting to terrorism," Tse said. Hong Kong officials are anxious that protests on Tuesday could upstage the grand celebrations with as city conitunes to remain on the boil three months after protests first began agaist the extradiction bill which the city government later dropped. &nbsp;

As China gears up to celebrate 70th anniversary of its founding, President Xi Jinping said Hong Kong has the "homeland's full support" and it "must develop and progress together with the mainland".

As China gears up to celebrate 70th anniversary of its founding, President Xi Jinping said Hong Kong has the "homeland's full support" and it "must develop and progress together with the mainland". China is preparing for the grand carnival on Tuesday with a military parade where it is set to showcase tanks, bombers, a supersonic drone and a new intercontinental ballistic missile. Xi is expected to watch from the south entrance of Beijing, the same spot where Mao proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China. Watch Video: "We should strictly do things in accordance with the constitution and the basic law," Xi said while addressing a banquet attended by foreign visitors, Chinese ethnic minorities, soldiers, athletes and government officials. "I believe that with the homeland's full support, and the joint effort of all compatriots who love the country, Hong Kong and Macau, Hong Kong and Macau must develop and progress together with the mainland and become better places in the future," the Chinese president added. Xi's statement comes as Hong Kong police superintendent John Tse said he was expecting the situation tomorrow be "very, very dangerous". "Core rioters are increasing their violence. The depth and breadth of their violence and plans show that they are increasingly resorting to terrorism," Tse said. Hong Kong officials are anxious that protests on Tuesday could upstage the grand celebrations with as city conitunes to remain on the boil three months after protests first began agaist the extradiction bill which the city government later dropped.

Hong Kong should develop & progress with China, says Xi ahead of 70th anniversary celebrations

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam will hold her first talks with the public on Thursday in a bid to resolve a political crisis that has fuelled nearly four months of sometimes violent protests and plunged the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-firmly-support-carrie-lam-in-leading-hong-kong-china-247307">Chinese-run</a> city into chaos.

Beijing-backed Lam will hold a dialogue with 150 members of the community, with each participant given around three minutes to express their views, city authorities have said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protesters-in-hong-kong-reject-carrie-lams-assertion-extradition-bill-dead-threaten-mass-rallies-234227">Tight security</a> is expected around the venue in the commercial and nightlife district of Wan Chai, where some schools and businesses planned to close early ahead of the meeting scheduled at 1100 GMT.

"Deep wounds have been opened in our society. These will take time to heal," Lam said in an opinion piece in the New York Times.

"But it remains this government's hope that conversation will triumph over conflict and that through its actions, calm can be restored and trust can be rebuilt within the community", she added.

But resident Poon Yau-Lok, 62, was sceptical of the talks making any difference.

"They wouldn't listen when 200,000 people marched on the street. Why would they listen to just 150?", she said.

What started as protests over a now-shelved extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial have evolved into broader calls for greater democracy, among other demands.

There has been <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-says-rule-of-law-being-damaged-citys-recovery-will-take-long-time-242574">violent unrest</a> in parts of the former British colony over the last three months, but life for most people goes on as normal most of the time.

The protests have taken a heavy toll on some businesses as tourists stay away. Cathay Pacific, the city's flagship carrier, has been the biggest corporate casualty after China demanded it suspend staff involved in the protests.

Cathay CEO Rupert Hogg and Chairman John Slosar have since left the company.

Rail operator MTR Corp has also suffered, with passenger numbers on the high-speed rail link to mainland China plunging 30 per cent to 1.14 million people in August from July.

Passengers on the Airport Express, which links the city to the airport where protesters have disrupted operations, were down 10 per cent over the same period to 1.3 million people.

The MTR has at times suspended city rail services during the protests, preventing some demonstrators from gathering and making it a target of attack, with protesters vandalising stations and setting fires near some exits.

The rail operator halted services at Sha Tin station on Wednesday night after protesters vandalised facilities there for a second time since the weekend.

Train services resumed on Thursday.

The protesters are also angry about what they see as creeping Chinese interference in Hong Kong, which returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula intended to guarantee freedom that are not enjoyed on the mainland.

China says that it is committed to the arrangement and denies meddling. It has accused foreign governments including the United States and Britain of inciting the unrest.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-to-hold-dialogue-aimed-at-easing-tensions-250100">Hong Kong</a> is on edge ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, with authorities eager to avoid scenes that could embarrass the Central Government in Beijing.

The Asian financial hub also marks the fifth anniversary this weekend of the start of the 'Umbrella' protests, a series of pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014 that failed to wrestle concessions from Beijing.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam will hold her first talks with the public on Thursday in a bid to resolve a political crisis that has fuelled nearly four months of sometimes violent protests and plunged the Chinese-run city into chaos.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam will hold her first talks with the public on Thursday in a bid to resolve a political crisis that has fuelled nearly four months of sometimes violent protests and plunged the Chinese-run city into chaos. Beijing-backed Lam will hold a dialogue with 150 members of the community, with each participant given around three minutes to express their views, city authorities have said. Tight security is expected around the venue in the commercial and nightlife district of Wan Chai, where some schools and businesses planned to close early ahead of the meeting scheduled at 1100 GMT. "Deep wounds have been opened in our society. These will take time to heal," Lam said in an opinion piece in the New York Times. "But it remains this government's hope that conversation will triumph over conflict and that through its actions, calm can be restored and trust can be rebuilt within the community", she added. But resident Poon Yau-Lok, 62, was sceptical of the talks making any difference. "They wouldn't listen when 200,000 people marched on the street. Why would they listen to just 150?", she said. What started as protests over a now-shelved extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial have evolved into broader calls for greater democracy, among other demands. There has been violent unrest in parts of the former British colony over the last three months, but life for most people goes on as normal most of the time. The protests have taken a heavy toll on some businesses as tourists stay away. Cathay Pacific, the city's flagship carrier, has been the biggest corporate casualty after China demanded it suspend staff involved in the protests. Cathay CEO Rupert Hogg and Chairman John Slosar have since left the company. Rail operator MTR Corp has also suffered, with passenger numbers on the high-speed rail link to mainland China plunging 30 per cent to 1.14 million people in August from July. Passengers on the Airport Express, which links the city to the airport where protesters have disrupted operations, were down 10 per cent over the same period to 1.3 million people. The MTR has at times suspended city rail services during the protests, preventing some demonstrators from gathering and making it a target of attack, with protesters vandalising stations and setting fires near some exits. The rail operator halted services at Sha Tin station on Wednesday night after protesters vandalised facilities there for a second time since the weekend. Train services resumed on Thursday. The protesters are also angry about what they see as creeping Chinese interference in Hong Kong, which returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula intended to guarantee freedom that are not enjoyed on the mainland. China says that it is committed to the arrangement and denies meddling. It has accused foreign governments including the United States and Britain of inciting the unrest. Hong Kong is on edge ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, with authorities eager to avoid scenes that could embarrass the Central Government in Beijing. The Asian financial hub also marks the fifth anniversary this weekend of the start of the 'Umbrella' protests, a series of pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014 that failed to wrestle concessions from Beijing.

Hong Kong unrest: Leader Carrie Lam to hold first talks in bid to end crisis

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/whats-next-for-hong-kongs-protest-movement-251680">Hong Kong</a> leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday the city's police force, which has been accused of beating activists and using excessive force during protests, is under extreme pressure and acknowledged it will be a "long road" towards healing rifts.

Beijing-backed Lam said it was "quite remarkable" there had not been fatalities during <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-say-protesters-bring-manmade-disaster-to-hong-kong-251500">three months of protests</a>, and she hoped dialogue would help resolve the political crisis gripping the Asian financial centre.

Police cast doubt over allegations that officers beat a man during a protest on Saturday, while Amnesty International called on the government to investigate police use of force against demonstrators.

Police Acting Senior Superintendent Vasco Williams told reporters on Monday that footage of the alleged incident appeared to show an "officer kicking a yellow object", not a man, in an alley.

He conceded that the incident needed to be investigated, although he ruled out police "malpractice" and added that the video could have been "doctored".

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What started as protests over a now-shelved extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial have evolved into broader calls for greater democracy and an independent inquiry into police actions.

Demonstrators are frustrated at what they see as Beijing's tightening grip over the former British colony, which returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula intended to guarantee freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland.

China has said it is committed to the arrangement and denies interfering.

Lam said that, while she supported the police to safeguard the rule of law, "that doesn't mean that I would condone irregularities or wrong practices done by the police force".

"I know the level of mutual trust is now relatively low in Hong Kong, but we have to make sure that we can continue to operate as a civil society," she told reporters.

Red lines

Lam was speaking after Amnesty called for an investigation into police actions and urged the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-fire-tear-gas-after-storming-shopping-mall-251349">Hong Kong</a> government to encourage Beijing to safeguard protesters' right to peaceful assembly.

"Ordering an independent and effective investigation into police actions would be a vital first step," Joshua Rosenzweig, head of Amnesty's East Asia regional office, said in a report.

"Authorities need to show they are willing to protect human rights in Hong Kong, even if this means pushing back against Beijing's 'red line'."

In 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned in a speech marking the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to Beijing that any attempt to undermine China's sovereignty was a "red line" that would not be tolerated.

The protests have weighed on Hong Kong's stock exchange. On Tuesday, the Asia-Pacific unit of brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (AB InBev) raised about $5 billion in a Hong Kong IPO, after being priced at the bottom of a marketed range. In July, the company cancelled plans for an IPO aiming to raise $9.8 billion.

The wider economy has also been hit. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council said on Monday that it expects Hong Kong's exports to shrink by 4% this year, in what would mark its worst export performance in a decade.

Lawmaker attacked

A democratic lawmaker, Roy Kwong, was taken to hospital on Tuesday after being punched and kicked by three men in the Tin Shui Wai district close to the border with mainland China.

Fellow Democratic Party lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting said the assailants had suspected triad, or organised criminal backgrounds, and intended "to send a message to threaten all" pro-democracy lawmakers.

Over more than three months, many peaceful protests have degenerated into running battles between black-clad protesters and police, who have responded with tear gas, water cannon, rubber bullets, bean bag rounds and several live rounds fired into the air.

Police, who have also been seen beating protesters on the ground with batons, say they have shown restraint in the face of increased violence, including protesters hurling petrol bombs.

Lam said she hoped a dialogue session on Thursday evening with 150 members of the public would help bridge the divide, but conceded "it will be a long journey to achieve reconciliation in society."

In a direct challenge to Communist Party rulers in mainland China, some protesters have targeted Beijing's representative office in Hong Kong, thrown bricks outside the Chinese People's Liberation Army base and set fire to the Chinese flag.

The city is on edge ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic on October 1, with authorities eager to avoid scenes that could embarrass the central government in Beijing.

Lam said all national events should be respected and held in a safe environment.

Guests at a flag-raising ceremony to mark the occasion will be moved indoors so it "can be carried out in a solemn and orderly manner", the Home Affairs Department told Reuters on Tuesday.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday the city's police force, which has been accused of beating activists and using excessive force during protests, is under extreme pressure and acknowledged it will be a "long road" towards healing rifts.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday the city's police force, which has been accused of beating activists and using excessive force during protests, is under extreme pressure and acknowledged it will be a "long road" towards healing rifts. Beijing-backed Lam said it was "quite remarkable" there had not been fatalities during three months of protests, and she hoped dialogue would help resolve the political crisis gripping the Asian financial centre. Police cast doubt over allegations that officers beat a man during a protest on Saturday, while Amnesty International called on the government to investigate police use of force against demonstrators. Police Acting Senior Superintendent Vasco Williams told reporters on Monday that footage of the alleged incident appeared to show an "officer kicking a yellow object", not a man, in an alley. He conceded that the incident needed to be investigated, although he ruled out police "malpractice" and added that the video could have been "doctored". × What started as protests over a now-shelved extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial have evolved into broader calls for greater democracy and an independent inquiry into police actions. Demonstrators are frustrated at what they see as Beijing's tightening grip over the former British colony, which returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula intended to guarantee freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland. China has said it is committed to the arrangement and denies interfering. Lam said that, while she supported the police to safeguard the rule of law, "that doesn't mean that I would condone irregularities or wrong practices done by the police force". "I know the level of mutual trust is now relatively low in Hong Kong, but we have to make sure that we can continue to operate as a civil society," she told reporters. Red lines Lam was speaking after Amnesty called for an investigation into police actions and urged the Hong Kong government to encourage Beijing to safeguard protesters' right to peaceful assembly. "Ordering an independent and effective investigation into police actions would be a vital first step," Joshua Rosenzweig, head of Amnesty's East Asia regional office, said in a report. "Authorities need to show they are willing to protect human rights in Hong Kong, even if this means pushing back against Beijing's 'red line'." In 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned in a speech marking the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to Beijing that any attempt to undermine China's sovereignty was a "red line" that would not be tolerated. The protests have weighed on Hong Kong's stock exchange. On Tuesday, the Asia-Pacific unit of brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (AB InBev) raised about $5 billion in a Hong Kong IPO, after being priced at the bottom of a marketed range. In July, the company cancelled plans for an IPO aiming to raise $9.8 billion. The wider economy has also been hit. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council said on Monday that it expects Hong Kong's exports to shrink by 4% this year, in what would mark its worst export performance in a decade. Lawmaker attacked A democratic lawmaker, Roy Kwong, was taken to hospital on Tuesday after being punched and kicked by three men in the Tin Shui Wai district close to the border with mainland China. Fellow Democratic Party lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting said the assailants had suspected triad, or organised criminal backgrounds, and intended "to send a message to threaten all" pro-democracy lawmakers. Over more than three months, many peaceful protests have degenerated into running battles between black-clad protesters and police, who have responded with tear gas, water cannon, rubber bullets, bean bag rounds and several live rounds fired into the air. Police, who have also been seen beating protesters on the ground with batons, say they have shown restraint in the face of increased violence, including protesters hurling petrol bombs. Lam said she hoped a dialogue session on Thursday evening with 150 members of the public would help bridge the divide, but conceded "it will be a long journey to achieve reconciliation in society." In a direct challenge to Communist Party rulers in mainland China, some protesters have targeted Beijing's representative office in Hong Kong, thrown bricks outside the Chinese People's Liberation Army base and set fire to the Chinese flag. The city is on edge ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic on October 1, with authorities eager to avoid scenes that could embarrass the central government in Beijing. Lam said all national events should be respected and held in a safe environment. Guests at a flag-raising ceremony to mark the occasion will be moved indoors so it "can be carried out in a solemn and orderly manner", the Home Affairs Department told Reuters on Tuesday.

Hong Kong leader says police under extreme pressure; acknowledges 'long road' ahead

100 Days Of The Hong Kong Protest. Watch video to know more

100 Days Of The Hong Kong Protest

Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam, said on Tuesday she and her team would begin dialogue sessions with the community next week, while reiterating that violence that has roiled the city over three months of protests must end.

Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam, said on Tuesday she and her team would begin dialogue sessions with the community next week, while reiterating that violence that has roiled the city over three months of protests must end. Lam, who is under pressure from Beijing to defuse the public anger stirring the protests, said the dialogue sessions would be as open as possible, with members of the public able to sign up to attend. "Hong Kong society has really accumulated a lot of deep-rooted economic, social and even political issues, I hope these different forms of dialogue can provide a platform for us to discuss," Lam told reporters at a weekly briefing. She said the issues included housing and land shortages in one of the world's most densely populated cities of 7.4 million. Young people are particularly frustrated by the high cost of finding a place of their own to live. "But I have to stress here, dialogue platform doesn’t mean we don’t have to take resolute enforcement actions. Suppressing the violence in front of us is still the priority," she said. The former British colony has been roiled by nearly four months of sometimes violent protests. The trigger for the unrest was an extradition bill, now withdrawn, that would have allowed people to be sent from Hong Kong to mainland China for trial. But the demonstrators' demands have broadened to include universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into their complaints of excessive force by the police. Hong Kong returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula that guarantees freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland - including a much-cherished independent legal system. But many residents complain about what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in Hong Kong's affairs despite the promise of autonomy. Lam, who has been a focus of protesters' anger, capitulated to one of their main demands on September 4, announcing the full withdrawal of the extradition bill. But some said that was too little, too late, and the protests have continued. 'Erosion' Police on Monday said 89 people were arrested over the weekend after “radical protesters” attacked two police officers on Sunday evening, hurling petrol bombs and bricks. Brawls also broke out between anti-government protesters and others who support Beijing. Nearly 1,500 people have been arrested since the protests intensified in June. The turmoil is beginning to hit the economy of the financial hub. Credit rating agency Moody’s changed its outlook on Hong Kong’s rating to negative from stable on Monday, reflecting what it called the rising risk of "an erosion in the strength of Hong Kong's institutions”. The institutional features that grant Hong Kong greater political and economic autonomy — together with the city’s intrinsic credit strengths — accounted for its higher rating than China, the agency said. Lam said the Moody's decision disappointing. "We do not concur, especially if the justification for that sort of change in outlook is premised on whether we’re still upholding 'one country two systems'," she said. China also says it is committed to "one country two systems" and it denies meddling in Hong Kong while stressing it is an internal Chinese issue. China has accused foreign powers, particularly the United States and Britain, of fomenting the unrest and told them to mind their own business.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam to hold dialogue aimed at easing tensions

Thousands of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists used torches, lanterns and laser pens to light up some of the city's best-known hillsides on Friday night in an eye-catching protest alongside an annual festival.

Friday evening marks the start of the mid-autumn festival, one of the most important dates in the Chinese calendar, and is traditionally a time for thanksgiving, spending time with family and praying for good fortune.

But as Hong Kong convulses from more than three months of political unrest, activists used the night as a way to keep their movement buoyant with no signs of protests abating.

Throughout the evening, thousands of activists with torches on their heads hiked up hill trails leading to the top of Lion Rock, which overlooks the sprawling skyscrapers of the city's Kowloon district, one of the most densely populated places on earth.

They also gathered to form a long human chain on the Peak -- a popular tourist spot which offers picture-postcard views of Hong Kong and its dramatic waterfront.

Both groups, whose lights were visible to each other across the harbour, chanted slogans and sang "Glory to Hong Kong", an anonymously penned protest anthem which has gone viral in recent days.

Other crowds gathered in parks across the city and along the harbourfront, shining mobile phone lights, lasers and lanterns.

"Today's autumn festival is a symbol of family and togetherness, so this is in the spirit of gathering the power of the Hong Kong people," a 24-year-old protester, who gave his surname Yip, told AFP as he sweated his way to the top of Lion Rock in the unforgiving sticky evening heat.

"We are going to fight with Hong Kong and fight for freedom," added another protester, who gave his surname Shum.&nbsp;

On the Peak, protester Wan Luk said she skipped the traditional meal with her family.

"I think Hong Kong people need to unite their power, so I came out," she said.

Weeks of protest

Hong Kong has been battered by nearly 100 days of protests, sparked by a now-abandoned plan to allow extraditions to the mainland.

After local leaders and Beijing took a hard line, the movement snowballed into wider calls for democracy, police accountability and a halt to eroding freedoms in what is the greatest challenge to Beijing's rule since the 1997 handover.

Millions have taken part in huge, largely peaceful demonstrations.

But smaller groups of hardline protesters have fought increasingly violent battles with riot police and vandalised subway stations in scenes that have sent shockwaves through the once-stable financial hub.

The city is now deeply polarised with fights frequently breaking out between different political camps.

Under a deal signed with Britain ahead of the city's 1997 handover to China, Hong Kong is allowed to keep its unique freedoms for 50 years.

But democracy activists accuse Beijing of reneging on those promises by ramping up political control over the semi-autonomous territory.

Protests to continue

City leader Carrie Lam made the surprise move last week to fully scrap the loathed extradition law -- but the gesture was dismissed by protesters as too little, too late.

On Friday evening, in one of the protest movement's more surreal moments, small groups of demonstrators gathered on a housing estate where Lam was visiting, shouting "We want to eat mooncakes".

Residents told local media Lam had made a brief visit to a nearby elderly home to distribute mooncakes, a dense pastry handed out during the mid-autumn festival.

Activists and analysts say the movement will only end when some of the other key demands are met such as an inquiry into the police, an amnesty for the nearly 1,400 people arrested and universal suffrage.

There is little sign of Beijing ceding to those demands or the protests abating.

Plans by demonstrators to hold rallies on Saturday and Sunday have been rejected by the police.

But previous bans have simply been ignored by the masses and clashes with police have quickly followed.

On Sunday, protesters had planned to march through the city while a separate, smaller demonstration was planned outside the British consulate in a bid to call on London to do more to protect the former colony from Beijing's tightening grip.Student groups have also called for a week-long general strike starting on 1 October, when leaders in Beijing will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of communist China.&nbsp;

Thousands of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists used torches, lanterns and laser pens to light up some of the city's best-known hillsides on Friday night in an eye-catching protest alongside an annual festival.

Thousands of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists used torches, lanterns and laser pens to light up some of the city's best-known hillsides on Friday night in an eye-catching protest alongside an annual festival. Friday evening marks the start of the mid-autumn festival, one of the most important dates in the Chinese calendar, and is traditionally a time for thanksgiving, spending time with family and praying for good fortune. But as Hong Kong convulses from more than three months of political unrest, activists used the night as a way to keep their movement buoyant with no signs of protests abating. Throughout the evening, thousands of activists with torches on their heads hiked up hill trails leading to the top of Lion Rock, which overlooks the sprawling skyscrapers of the city's Kowloon district, one of the most densely populated places on earth. They also gathered to form a long human chain on the Peak -- a popular tourist spot which offers picture-postcard views of Hong Kong and its dramatic waterfront. Both groups, whose lights were visible to each other across the harbour, chanted slogans and sang "Glory to Hong Kong", an anonymously penned protest anthem which has gone viral in recent days. Other crowds gathered in parks across the city and along the harbourfront, shining mobile phone lights, lasers and lanterns. "Today's autumn festival is a symbol of family and togetherness, so this is in the spirit of gathering the power of the Hong Kong people," a 24-year-old protester, who gave his surname Yip, told AFP as he sweated his way to the top of Lion Rock in the unforgiving sticky evening heat. "We are going to fight with Hong Kong and fight for freedom," added another protester, who gave his surname Shum. On the Peak, protester Wan Luk said she skipped the traditional meal with her family. "I think Hong Kong people need to unite their power, so I came out," she said. Weeks of protest Hong Kong has been battered by nearly 100 days of protests, sparked by a now-abandoned plan to allow extraditions to the mainland. After local leaders and Beijing took a hard line, the movement snowballed into wider calls for democracy, police accountability and a halt to eroding freedoms in what is the greatest challenge to Beijing's rule since the 1997 handover. Millions have taken part in huge, largely peaceful demonstrations. But smaller groups of hardline protesters have fought increasingly violent battles with riot police and vandalised subway stations in scenes that have sent shockwaves through the once-stable financial hub. The city is now deeply polarised with fights frequently breaking out between different political camps. Under a deal signed with Britain ahead of the city's 1997 handover to China, Hong Kong is allowed to keep its unique freedoms for 50 years. But democracy activists accuse Beijing of reneging on those promises by ramping up political control over the semi-autonomous territory. Protests to continue City leader Carrie Lam made the surprise move last week to fully scrap the loathed extradition law -- but the gesture was dismissed by protesters as too little, too late. On Friday evening, in one of the protest movement's more surreal moments, small groups of demonstrators gathered on a housing estate where Lam was visiting, shouting "We want to eat mooncakes". Residents told local media Lam had made a brief visit to a nearby elderly home to distribute mooncakes, a dense pastry handed out during the mid-autumn festival. Activists and analysts say the movement will only end when some of the other key demands are met such as an inquiry into the police, an amnesty for the nearly 1,400 people arrested and universal suffrage. There is little sign of Beijing ceding to those demands or the protests abating. Plans by demonstrators to hold rallies on Saturday and Sunday have been rejected by the police. But previous bans have simply been ignored by the masses and clashes with police have quickly followed. On Sunday, protesters had planned to march through the city while a separate, smaller demonstration was planned outside the British consulate in a bid to call on London to do more to protect the former colony from Beijing's tightening grip.Student groups have also called for a week-long general strike starting on 1 October, when leaders in Beijing will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of communist China.

Hong Kong hills shine with protest lights in festival-themed rally

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