China marks the 70th anniversary of its founding on National Day with performance of singing, dancing and firework displays which will take place in the evening following a military parade.

Fireworks mark 70th anniversary of China's founding

After reports said police in Hong Kong used live round at demonstrators, Britain said it could risk inflaming the situation.

"Whilst there is no excuse for violence, the use of live ammunition is disproportionate, and only risks inflaming the situation," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.

On Tuesday, a Hong Kong police <a href="https://www.wionews.com/east-asia/police-shoot-hong-kong-protester-in-chest-during-clashes-253085">officer shot a protester</a> in the chest with a live round.&nbsp;

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"An officer discharged his firearm after coming under attack and a protester was struck in the chest in Tsuen Wan district today," the source told AFP, requesting anonymity.

The wounded protester received initial first aid from officers before paramedics arrived, the source said, adding the victim was then taken to Princess Margaret Hospital, AFP reported.

The incident comes as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peoples-republic-of-china-celebrates-70th-anniversary-in-beijing-253107">China is celebrating 70th year</a> of its founding with a grand military parade and cultural programme.&nbsp;

Ahead of the celebration, President Xi Jinping had said Hong Kong has the "homeland's full support" and it "must develop and progress together with the mainland".&nbsp;

"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. 
&nbsp;

After reports said police in Hong Kong used live round at demonstrators, Britain said it could risk inflaming the situation. "Whilst there is no excuse for violence, the use of live ammunition is disproportionate, and only risks inflaming the situation," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.

After reports said police in Hong Kong used live round at demonstrators, Britain said it could risk inflaming the situation. "Whilst there is no excuse for violence, the use of live ammunition is disproportionate, and only risks inflaming the situation," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement. On Tuesday, a Hong Kong police officer shot a protester in the chest with a live round. Watch Video: "An officer discharged his firearm after coming under attack and a protester was struck in the chest in Tsuen Wan district today," the source told AFP, requesting anonymity. The wounded protester received initial first aid from officers before paramedics arrived, the source said, adding the victim was then taken to Princess Margaret Hospital, AFP reported. The incident comes as China is celebrating 70th year of its founding with a grand military parade and cultural programme. Ahead of the celebration, President Xi Jinping had said Hong Kong has the "homeland's full support" and it "must develop and progress together with the mainland". "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.

Use of live ammunition disproportionate, risks inflaming situation: UK on Hong Kong police action

China's Tiananmen Square lit up as the country celebrated 70 years of the founding of the People's Republic.

Thousands of participants filled the&nbsp;Square with Chinese President Xi looking on as people with people from around the country in attendance.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/china-celebrates-70th-anniversary-of-communist-rule-252939">See Photos: China's extravagant display of its military prowess</a>

Earlier, China's military&nbsp;showed off new equipment at a parade in central Beijing including hypersonic-glide missiles that experts say could be difficult for the United States to counter.

Among the weapons were the Dongfeng-21D (DF-21D) which can hit warships at sea at a range of up to 1,500 kilometres, and the DF-26 intermediate range missile.&nbsp;

The parade which lasted for over two hours saw 15,000 soldiers, 70 floats and 100,000 civilians gripped in national fervour as China put on a display for the worldwide audience to remember.

China's Tiananmen Square lit up as the country celebrated 70 years of the founding of the People's Republic. Thousands of participants filled the Square with Chinese President Xi looking on as people with people from around the country in attendance.

China's Tiananmen Square lit up as the country celebrated 70 years of the founding of the People's Republic. Thousands of participants filled the Square with Chinese President Xi looking on as people with people from around the country in attendance. See Photos: China's extravagant display of its military prowess Earlier, China's military showed off new equipment at a parade in central Beijing including hypersonic-glide missiles that experts say could be difficult for the United States to counter. Among the weapons were the Dongfeng-21D (DF-21D) which can hit warships at sea at a range of up to 1,500 kilometres, and the DF-26 intermediate range missile. The parade which lasted for over two hours saw 15,000 soldiers, 70 floats and 100,000 civilians gripped in national fervour as China put on a display for the worldwide audience to remember.

People's Republic of China celebrates 70th anniversary in Beijing

Hong Kong police fired water cannon, rubber bullets and round after round of tear gas at petrol bomb-throwing protesters on Sunday in some of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-fire-tear-gas-at-protesters-in-shopping-district-252673">most widespread and violent clashes</a> in more than three months of anti-government unrest.

Running battles in the Causeway Bay shopping district, Wan Chai bar area and the Admiralty district of central government offices followed a night of showdowns with police in the Chinese-ruled city, where street fires burned as dusk fell.

More protests are planned in the run-up to China's October&nbsp;1 National Day, marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic.

Police fired tear gas from the roof of the Legislative Council building, which activists trashed and daubed with graffiti weeks ago.

Protesters, many of them wearing their trademark black with face masks, took cover from the tear gas behind umbrellas, some throwing tear gas canisters back at police.

They built barricades with trolleys and trash cans and other debris. One threw a petrol bomb at police in the Wan Chai metro station where an entrance was set ablaze.

Others were trying to smash cameras over Bank of China ATMs but failed, spray-painting the screens instead.

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At least one petrol bomb landed in the grounds of central government offices where several windows were smashed. There were street fires on the main drag of Hennessy Road.

Police, who raise placards warning of retaliation before firing tear gas or firing water cannon, a tradition dating back to British rule, made several arrests, often in swoops, grappling people to the tarmac.

There were no immediate reports of serious injuries.

The water cannon fired blue dye, which elsewhere in the world is used to make identification of offenders easier.

Ho, a 25-year-old working at an investment bank, was scattering bricks along a road in Wan Chai for others to use.

“When the police come we have to move quickly and we need to pick these up as we run," he said.

Asked how he knew when the police were coming, he said supporters were following police all day, trying to listen in on their plans.

The government said that the city's leader, Carrie Lam, will be out of town for China's National Day, despite her having sent out invitations for celebrations at home.

Some shops closed ahead of expected demonstrations, while the MTR metro service shut stations, a move that has made it a target of violence in the past.

Protesters shouted anti-China slogans and called for their "five demands, not one less" of the government, including universal suffrage and the dropping of all charges against their arrested colleagues.

About 200 China supporters dressed in red T-shirts gathered on top of Victoria Peak, overlooking the harbour, at around midday. They sang the Chinese national anthem and chanted “I love China”.

Angela, a housewife in her 40s, a Chinese flag sticker plastered on her cheek, said the pro-democracy protesters were “thugs”.

"If the government takes violent action I don’t object,” she said. “We have tolerated enough. I think I have emotional problems because of the riots. Because it’s not safe to go out.”

Change of heart&nbsp;

Lam, the focus of weeks of anti-government unrest, will leave for Beijing on Monday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic the following day.

Lam, who was trapped in an indoor stadium by street protests for hours this week after an "open dialogue" with the people, will return to Hong Kong on Tuesday night overland, minimising the chances of a clash at the airport, a popular target of anti-government protests.

She had sent out invitations "requesting the pleasure of your company" at a flag-raising ceremony and National Day reception at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on Tuesday.

It was not immediately clear why she had the change of heart but the government said Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung would stand in for her.

Arthur, 40, wearing glasses and a mask covering the lower half of his face, said Lam’s trip was expected.

"In these three months, Carrie Lam has not really cared about the protesters. She only cares about the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) or what we might call ‘her boss’,” he said.

"I think Hong Kong is somehow at this moment the frontline between Western democracy and the dictatorship in China.... Hong Kong looks more and more like a police state.”

Police fired tear gas and water cannon on Saturday night to disperse protesters who threw petrol bombs and rocks, broke government office windows and blocked a key road near the local headquarters of China's People's Liberation Army.

The protesters are angry about what they see as creeping Chinese interference in Hong Kong, which Britain returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula guaranteeing freedoms that are not enjoyed on the mainland.

China dismisses the accusation and has accused foreign governments, including the United States and Britain, of fanning anti-China sentiment.

Protests were sparked in June by planned legislation, since withdrawn, that would have allowed the extradition of suspected criminals to mainland China. But they have since expanded into a broader pro-democracy movement.

Hong Kong police fired water cannon, rubber bullets and round after round of tear gas at petrol bomb-throwing protesters on Sunday in some of the most widespread and violent clashes in more than three months of anti-government unrest.

Hong Kong police fired water cannon, rubber bullets and round after round of tear gas at petrol bomb-throwing protesters on Sunday in some of the most widespread and violent clashes in more than three months of anti-government unrest. Running battles in the Causeway Bay shopping district, Wan Chai bar area and the Admiralty district of central government offices followed a night of showdowns with police in the Chinese-ruled city, where street fires burned as dusk fell. More protests are planned in the run-up to China's October 1 National Day, marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic. Police fired tear gas from the roof of the Legislative Council building, which activists trashed and daubed with graffiti weeks ago. Protesters, many of them wearing their trademark black with face masks, took cover from the tear gas behind umbrellas, some throwing tear gas canisters back at police. They built barricades with trolleys and trash cans and other debris. One threw a petrol bomb at police in the Wan Chai metro station where an entrance was set ablaze. Others were trying to smash cameras over Bank of China ATMs but failed, spray-painting the screens instead. × At least one petrol bomb landed in the grounds of central government offices where several windows were smashed. There were street fires on the main drag of Hennessy Road. Police, who raise placards warning of retaliation before firing tear gas or firing water cannon, a tradition dating back to British rule, made several arrests, often in swoops, grappling people to the tarmac. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries. The water cannon fired blue dye, which elsewhere in the world is used to make identification of offenders easier. Ho, a 25-year-old working at an investment bank, was scattering bricks along a road in Wan Chai for others to use. “When the police come we have to move quickly and we need to pick these up as we run," he said. Asked how he knew when the police were coming, he said supporters were following police all day, trying to listen in on their plans. The government said that the city's leader, Carrie Lam, will be out of town for China's National Day, despite her having sent out invitations for celebrations at home. Some shops closed ahead of expected demonstrations, while the MTR metro service shut stations, a move that has made it a target of violence in the past. Protesters shouted anti-China slogans and called for their "five demands, not one less" of the government, including universal suffrage and the dropping of all charges against their arrested colleagues. About 200 China supporters dressed in red T-shirts gathered on top of Victoria Peak, overlooking the harbour, at around midday. They sang the Chinese national anthem and chanted “I love China”. Angela, a housewife in her 40s, a Chinese flag sticker plastered on her cheek, said the pro-democracy protesters were “thugs”. "If the government takes violent action I don’t object,” she said. “We have tolerated enough. I think I have emotional problems because of the riots. Because it’s not safe to go out.” Change of heart Lam, the focus of weeks of anti-government unrest, will leave for Beijing on Monday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic the following day. Lam, who was trapped in an indoor stadium by street protests for hours this week after an "open dialogue" with the people, will return to Hong Kong on Tuesday night overland, minimising the chances of a clash at the airport, a popular target of anti-government protests. She had sent out invitations "requesting the pleasure of your company" at a flag-raising ceremony and National Day reception at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on Tuesday. It was not immediately clear why she had the change of heart but the government said Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung would stand in for her. Arthur, 40, wearing glasses and a mask covering the lower half of his face, said Lam’s trip was expected. "In these three months, Carrie Lam has not really cared about the protesters. She only cares about the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) or what we might call ‘her boss’,” he said. "I think Hong Kong is somehow at this moment the frontline between Western democracy and the dictatorship in China.... Hong Kong looks more and more like a police state.” Police fired tear gas and water cannon on Saturday night to disperse protesters who threw petrol bombs and rocks, broke government office windows and blocked a key road near the local headquarters of China's People's Liberation Army. The protesters are angry about what they see as creeping Chinese interference in Hong Kong, which Britain returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula guaranteeing freedoms that are not enjoyed on the mainland. China dismisses the accusation and has accused foreign governments, including the United States and Britain, of fanning anti-China sentiment. Protests were sparked in June by planned legislation, since withdrawn, that would have allowed the extradition of suspected criminals to mainland China. But they have since expanded into a broader pro-democracy movement.

Street fires burn in Hong Kong amid running battles between protesters and police