Carrie Lam, the leader of Hong Kong, recently announced plans to rework the city’s education system in view of the protests that have rocked the city multiple times since 2019.

Lam, who is mostly perceived as pro-China claimed that the “liberal studies curriculum” had fuelled the protests which had become violent and demanded for more democratisation of Hong Kong.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 infection, the numbers of which have now simmered across the city, more protests erupted demanding less interference into the city from Beijing.

In pictures:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/photos/flash-mobs-mass-arrests-pepper-spray-highlights-of-hong-kong-protests-on-mothers-day-297909" hreflang="en">Flash mobs, mass arrests, pepper spray: Highlights of Hong Kong protests on Mother's Day</a>

Over the weekend, the city police collided with protesters. According to agencies, at least 18 people were injured. Additionally, over 200 people were arrested and journalists were pepper-sprayed.

According to Lam, the current education system is “chicken coop without a roof” promised to bring in changes.

Reportedly, she also called for the protection of students against being “poisoned” from “false and biased information”.

<h6><img alt="pp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2629fc32-6625-4897-aee2-e322c3f7e6e5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-9.jpg" /> 
Police detain a group of people during a pro-democracy protest calling for the city's independence in Hong Kong on May 10, 2020 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

“In terms of handling the subject of liberal studies in the future, we will definitely make things clear to the public within this year,” she toldTa Kung Pao, a newspaper.

Recently, China had promised not to “stand idly if” if the protests escalated.

In recent clips, the police are visibly shooting pepper balls at people in a shopping mall. In the process, they also detained two minor student journalists, aged 12 and 16.

Besides cracking down on the protesters, the police are using pandemic prevention laws to quell the gathering of protesters.

The protests began last June and continue to resurface after the coronavirus lockdown rules saw relaxation.

Carrie Lam, the leader of Hong Kong, recently announced plans to rework the city’s education system in view of the protests that have rocked the city multiple times since 2019.

Carrie Lam, the leader of Hong Kong, recently announced plans to rework the city’s education system in view of the protests that have rocked the city multiple times since 2019. Lam, who is mostly perceived as pro-China claimed that the “liberal studies curriculum” had fuelled the protests which had become violent and demanded for more democratisation of Hong Kong. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 infection, the numbers of which have now simmered across the city, more protests erupted demanding less interference into the city from Beijing. In pictures: Flash mobs, mass arrests, pepper spray: Highlights of Hong Kong protests on Mother's Day Over the weekend, the city police collided with protesters. According to agencies, at least 18 people were injured. Additionally, over 200 people were arrested and journalists were pepper-sprayed. According to Lam, the current education system is “chicken coop without a roof” promised to bring in changes. Reportedly, she also called for the protection of students against being “poisoned” from “false and biased information”. Police detain a group of people during a pro-democracy protest calling for the city's independence in Hong Kong on May 10, 2020 | AFP “In terms of handling the subject of liberal studies in the future, we will definitely make things clear to the public within this year,” she toldTa Kung Pao, a newspaper. Recently, China had promised not to “stand idly if” if the protests escalated. In recent clips, the police are visibly shooting pepper balls at people in a shopping mall. In the process, they also detained two minor student journalists, aged 12 and 16. Besides cracking down on the protesters, the police are using pandemic prevention laws to quell the gathering of protesters. The protests began last June and continue to resurface after the coronavirus lockdown rules saw relaxation.

Carrie Lam blames education system for protests in Hong Kong, vows to reform it

Hong Kong police said they had arrested "around 400" people on Wednesday after a massive New Year's Day <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protests-severely-challenged-one-country-two-systems-principle-xi-in-his-new-year-address-271325">pro-democracy</a> rally saw clashes between police and hardcore protesters.

The arrests were made for offences including "unlawful assembly and possession of offensive weapons", senior superintendent Jim Ng said at a press conference, adding that police had asked for the rally to be terminated earlier than planned because of unrest.

Organisers claimed more than a million people participated in the rally.

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-leader-rejects-chinas-offer-to-unify-under-hong-kong-model-271327">peaceful march</a> drawing tens of thousands of anti-government protesters on New Year's Day spiralled into chaotic scenes as police fired several rounds of tear gas at crowds including families and some protesters threw several petrol bombs.

Watch: Hong Kong kicks off 2020 with fresh protests

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-hong-kong-kicks-off-2020-fresh-protests-271450/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The violence broke out during a largely peaceful march as masses of regular citizens pressed authorities for further concessions in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-readies-for-new-year-democracy-rally-271378">Chinese-ruled city</a>.

In the Wanchai bar district, some protesters had spray-painted graffiti and smashed cash machines in an HSBC bank branch when plainclothes police moved in, pepper-spraying crowds in a tense face-off, after which several rounds of tear gas were fired.

The protesters, many masked and clad in black, regrouped and formed their own line, hurling several petrol bombs and unfurling umbrellas.

Protesters have directed their ire at the global banking group HSBC saying that it had closed an account that had been a fund-raising platform for the protest movement, a claim the bank has strongly denied.

Earlier in the day, under grey clouds, citizens young and old, many dressed in black and some masked, carried signs such as "Freedom is not free" before setting off.

Hong Kong police said they had arrested "around 400" people on Wednesday after a massive New Year's Day pro-democracy rally saw clashes between police and hardcore protesters.

Hong Kong police said they had arrested "around 400" people on Wednesday after a massive New Year's Day pro-democracy rally saw clashes between police and hardcore protesters. The arrests were made for offences including "unlawful assembly and possession of offensive weapons", senior superintendent Jim Ng said at a press conference, adding that police had asked for the rally to be terminated earlier than planned because of unrest. Organisers claimed more than a million people participated in the rally. A peaceful march drawing tens of thousands of anti-government protesters on New Year's Day spiralled into chaotic scenes as police fired several rounds of tear gas at crowds including families and some protesters threw several petrol bombs. Watch: Hong Kong kicks off 2020 with fresh protests The violence broke out during a largely peaceful march as masses of regular citizens pressed authorities for further concessions in the Chinese-ruled city. In the Wanchai bar district, some protesters had spray-painted graffiti and smashed cash machines in an HSBC bank branch when plainclothes police moved in, pepper-spraying crowds in a tense face-off, after which several rounds of tear gas were fired. The protesters, many masked and clad in black, regrouped and formed their own line, hurling several petrol bombs and unfurling umbrellas. Protesters have directed their ire at the global banking group HSBC saying that it had closed an account that had been a fund-raising platform for the protest movement, a claim the bank has strongly denied. Earlier in the day, under grey clouds, citizens young and old, many dressed in black and some masked, carried signs such as "Freedom is not free" before setting off.

Hong Kong: Around 400 arrested in New Year's Day unrest

Protests that have paralysed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-fire-tear-gas-to-disperse-anti-government-protesters-265558">Hong Kong for nearly six months</a> are pushing residents to seek new lives abroad, with many turning to nearby democratic Taiwan to escape the uncertainty at home.

Taiwan has long attracted Hong Kongers seeking an alternative to their city's frenetic pace and sky-high rents.

But the number granted short-term and permanent residency in Taiwan rose nearly 30 per cent to over 4,000 between January and September from a year earlier, with investment from Hong Kong almost doubling.

Leonardo Wong was in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung last month scouting locations for a restaurant he plans to open when he moves to the island in January.

"Hong Kong is no longer safe. You don't know what would happen tomorrow. There are too many external forces that could change the course of things," the 27-year-old told AFP.

"Now it feels rather like things could never go back to the way they were. We can't see what kind of future (Hong Kong) is heading towards."

Taiwan does not recognise the legal concept of asylum or accept refugee applications, fearful of a potential influx from the authoritarian mainland.

But Hong Kongers can apply to live on the island through a variety of means, including investment visas.

'A city with hope'

Former system analyst Chow Chung-ming recently obtained a residency permit through a scheme that requires a Tw$6 million ($197,000) investment,&nbsp;a fraction of the costs associated with other popular immigration destinations such as Australia, Canada and the United States.

The 41-year-old moved to Kaohsiung attracted partly by lower rents, which have helped him realise a childhood dream of opening a cat cafe this July, but also the island's relative freedoms.

"In Taiwan, freedom of speech is in the present tense. People can elect the president and lawmakers,&nbsp;rights that Hong Kongers don't have and I don't see any chance of ever having," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pensioners-and-students-gather-for-hong-kong-protest-265423">Protests in Hong Kong erupted in response to proposed legislation</a> that would have allowed extraditions to the mainland, but have snowballed into demands for greater freedoms in the city.

Beijing officially espouses a so-called "one country, two systems" policy on Hong Kong, allowing the city greater freedoms and rule of law, but protesters argue that has been gradually eroded.

A 50-year guarantee of that status will expire in 2047, with many Hong Kongers convinced their freedoms will keep shrinking until the city is fully absorbed into the mainland.

"I think the tightening on freedom will continue in Hong Kong until it's 'one country, one system'," Chow said.

The current departure of Hong Kongers abroad is described by some as a "third wave", after many residents went overseas ahead of the 1997 British handover and, in smaller numbers, after the 2014 failure of the pro-democracy "Umbrella Movement".

Businesswoman Suki Lui has regularly participated in pro-democracy protests, but she now plans to relocate to Taiwan, hoping to give her two-year-old daughter a better future.

"My emotions have gone through so many ups and downs and I feel I have endured more emotion than I can handle," the 37-year-old said.

"I hope she can get a better education, can enjoy freedom, can realise her dreams in the future... I hope she can choose and live in a city with hope."&nbsp;

'Safeguard Taiwan'

But even those who move to Taiwan will live under a cloud cast by China.

Beijing sees the self-ruled island as part of its territory and has vowed to seize it, by force if necessary, even though the two have been governed separately for the past seven decades.

President Tsai Ing-wen, who took office in 2016, refuses to acknowledge that the island is part of "one China" and has repeatedly voiced support for Hong Kong's pro-democracy protesters.

In response, Beijing has ramped up economic and military pressure on Taiwan and poached many of the island's few remaining diplomatic allies.

Tsai faces elections in January against an opponent who favours much warmer ties with Beijing and has called the upcoming vote a "fight for freedom and democracy".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-arrests-belizean-taiwanese-citizens-over-alleged-meddling-in-hong-kong-affairs-265421">Some displaced Hong Kongers</a> hope the island will heed the lessons of the unrest in their home city.

"I can't vote yet but I hope people will vote for someone who can safeguard Taiwan," said Chow.&nbsp;

Phoenix Law, 30, said she moved to Taiwan in September drawn by the island's greater freedoms.

"If people (in Taiwan) don't accept what the president does, they can resist," she said.

"I hope Taiwanese people are on alert after seeing the situation in Hong Kong. Don't trust the Chinese Communist Party, what they say may sound nice but that are all lies."

Protests that have paralysed Hong Kong for nearly six months are pushing residents to seek new lives abroad, with many turning to nearby democratic Taiwan to escape the uncertainty at home.

Protests that have paralysed Hong Kong for nearly six months are pushing residents to seek new lives abroad, with many turning to nearby democratic Taiwan to escape the uncertainty at home. Taiwan has long attracted Hong Kongers seeking an alternative to their city's frenetic pace and sky-high rents. But the number granted short-term and permanent residency in Taiwan rose nearly 30 per cent to over 4,000 between January and September from a year earlier, with investment from Hong Kong almost doubling. Leonardo Wong was in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung last month scouting locations for a restaurant he plans to open when he moves to the island in January. "Hong Kong is no longer safe. You don't know what would happen tomorrow. There are too many external forces that could change the course of things," the 27-year-old told AFP. "Now it feels rather like things could never go back to the way they were. We can't see what kind of future (Hong Kong) is heading towards." Taiwan does not recognise the legal concept of asylum or accept refugee applications, fearful of a potential influx from the authoritarian mainland. But Hong Kongers can apply to live on the island through a variety of means, including investment visas. 'A city with hope' Former system analyst Chow Chung-ming recently obtained a residency permit through a scheme that requires a Tw$6 million ($197,000) investment, a fraction of the costs associated with other popular immigration destinations such as Australia, Canada and the United States. The 41-year-old moved to Kaohsiung attracted partly by lower rents, which have helped him realise a childhood dream of opening a cat cafe this July, but also the island's relative freedoms. "In Taiwan, freedom of speech is in the present tense. People can elect the president and lawmakers, rights that Hong Kongers don't have and I don't see any chance of ever having," he said. Protests in Hong Kong erupted in response to proposed legislation that would have allowed extraditions to the mainland, but have snowballed into demands for greater freedoms in the city. Beijing officially espouses a so-called "one country, two systems" policy on Hong Kong, allowing the city greater freedoms and rule of law, but protesters argue that has been gradually eroded. A 50-year guarantee of that status will expire in 2047, with many Hong Kongers convinced their freedoms will keep shrinking until the city is fully absorbed into the mainland. "I think the tightening on freedom will continue in Hong Kong until it's 'one country, one system'," Chow said. The current departure of Hong Kongers abroad is described by some as a "third wave", after many residents went overseas ahead of the 1997 British handover and, in smaller numbers, after the 2014 failure of the pro-democracy "Umbrella Movement". Businesswoman Suki Lui has regularly participated in pro-democracy protests, but she now plans to relocate to Taiwan, hoping to give her two-year-old daughter a better future. "My emotions have gone through so many ups and downs and I feel I have endured more emotion than I can handle," the 37-year-old said. "I hope she can get a better education, can enjoy freedom, can realise her dreams in the future... I hope she can choose and live in a city with hope." 'Safeguard Taiwan' But even those who move to Taiwan will live under a cloud cast by China. Beijing sees the self-ruled island as part of its territory and has vowed to seize it, by force if necessary, even though the two have been governed separately for the past seven decades. President Tsai Ing-wen, who took office in 2016, refuses to acknowledge that the island is part of "one China" and has repeatedly voiced support for Hong Kong's pro-democracy protesters. In response, Beijing has ramped up economic and military pressure on Taiwan and poached many of the island's few remaining diplomatic allies. Tsai faces elections in January against an opponent who favours much warmer ties with Beijing and has called the upcoming vote a "fight for freedom and democracy". Some displaced Hong Kongers hope the island will heed the lessons of the unrest in their home city. "I can't vote yet but I hope people will vote for someone who can safeguard Taiwan," said Chow. Phoenix Law, 30, said she moved to Taiwan in September drawn by the island's greater freedoms. "If people (in Taiwan) don't accept what the president does, they can resist," she said. "I hope Taiwanese people are on alert after seeing the situation in Hong Kong. Don't trust the Chinese Communist Party, what they say may sound nice but that are all lies."

Hong Kong protesters turn to Taiwan in search of new lives

Hundreds of office workers in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-fire-tear-gas-to-disperse-anti-government-protesters-265558">Hong Kong's business district</a> gathered on Monday for the first in a week of lunchtime protests backing the pro-democracy movement after its resounding victory in district polls held last week in the Chinese-ruled city.

A day earlier police again resorted to firing tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters as they marched past the city's Kowloon waterfront, after first going to the US&nbsp;consulate on Hong Kong island to show gratitude for Washington's support.

There was no such confrontation at the two-hour rally in the central business district on Monday, as some people went back to their offices after their demonstration of solidarity. Others said they would be striking for the full five days.

The gathering in Chater Garden probably drew Hong Kong's best-dressed protesters, and organisers have called on them to come out every day this week.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-new-rallies-to-take-place-today-after-weekend-of-unrest-265688">Protests over the last six months</a> have drawn a wide swathe of Hong Kong society,&nbsp;from students to pensioners. Even white-collar professionals, like those in Chater park, have sometimes blocked roads in recent weeks, leading to face-offs with police.

Monday's rally appeared aimed specifically at bringing in more workers from advertising agencies to help build publicity.

Fred, a 24-year-old advertising professional said he and his colleagues had helped create promotional materials in their own time for the so-called "yellow economy", the businesses seen as supporting the pro-democracy movement.

Many pro-democracy protesters have adopted the colour yellow and yellow balloons have been seen at rallies.

"From the advertising perspective, we can help promote the brands that speak out for Hong Kong," said Fred.

Another protester in the park said his advertising agency had closed for the week in solidarity and hoped other agencies would do likewise.

"We are trying to come out and be the first industry to come out and stop working for five days," said 28-year-old Ryan.

"We are just stopping work for companies. But the advertising talent will keep advertising for the movement, designing posters and leaflets."

Watch: Protesters march for 'five demands'

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-protesters-march-for-five-demands-265555/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Tear gas

During Sunday's protest, police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pensioners-and-students-gather-for-hong-kong-protest-265423">anti-government protesters</a>, some of whom chanted "revolution of our time" and "liberate Hong Kong". That followed a period of relative calm after November 24 district elections delivered an overwhelming victory to pro-democracy candidates.

The protest in the busy shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsui followed a "thanksgiving" march by hundreds to the US&nbsp;consulate.

Shops and businesses in Tsim Sha Tsui closed early as police sprayed volleys of tear gas at demonstrators, arresting some and forcing hundreds to flee towards the harbour.

The protesters' demands include an end to Beijing's alleged meddling in the freedoms promised to the former British colony when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997, universal suffrage and an inquiry into police use of force.

The unrest since June has at times forced the closure of government offices, businesses, schools and the international airport, helping drive the city into recession for the first time in a decade in the third quarter.

Hundreds of office workers in Hong Kong's business district gathered on Monday for the first in a week of lunchtime protests backing the pro-democracy movement after its resounding victory in district polls held last week in the Chinese-ruled city.

Hundreds of office workers in Hong Kong's business district gathered on Monday for the first in a week of lunchtime protests backing the pro-democracy movement after its resounding victory in district polls held last week in the Chinese-ruled city. A day earlier police again resorted to firing tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters as they marched past the city's Kowloon waterfront, after first going to the US consulate on Hong Kong island to show gratitude for Washington's support. There was no such confrontation at the two-hour rally in the central business district on Monday, as some people went back to their offices after their demonstration of solidarity. Others said they would be striking for the full five days. The gathering in Chater Garden probably drew Hong Kong's best-dressed protesters, and organisers have called on them to come out every day this week. Protests over the last six months have drawn a wide swathe of Hong Kong society, from students to pensioners. Even white-collar professionals, like those in Chater park, have sometimes blocked roads in recent weeks, leading to face-offs with police. Monday's rally appeared aimed specifically at bringing in more workers from advertising agencies to help build publicity. Fred, a 24-year-old advertising professional said he and his colleagues had helped create promotional materials in their own time for the so-called "yellow economy", the businesses seen as supporting the pro-democracy movement. Many pro-democracy protesters have adopted the colour yellow and yellow balloons have been seen at rallies. "From the advertising perspective, we can help promote the brands that speak out for Hong Kong," said Fred. Another protester in the park said his advertising agency had closed for the week in solidarity and hoped other agencies would do likewise. "We are trying to come out and be the first industry to come out and stop working for five days," said 28-year-old Ryan. "We are just stopping work for companies. But the advertising talent will keep advertising for the movement, designing posters and leaflets." Watch: Protesters march for 'five demands' Tear gas During Sunday's protest, police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of anti-government protesters, some of whom chanted "revolution of our time" and "liberate Hong Kong". That followed a period of relative calm after November 24 district elections delivered an overwhelming victory to pro-democracy candidates. The protest in the busy shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsui followed a "thanksgiving" march by hundreds to the US consulate. Shops and businesses in Tsim Sha Tsui closed early as police sprayed volleys of tear gas at demonstrators, arresting some and forcing hundreds to flee towards the harbour. The protesters' demands include an end to Beijing's alleged meddling in the freedoms promised to the former British colony when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997, universal suffrage and an inquiry into police use of force. The unrest since June has at times forced the closure of government offices, businesses, schools and the international airport, helping drive the city into recession for the first time in a decade in the third quarter.

Hong Kong: Series of week-long lunchtime protests begin

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

hk-government

Hk Government, News on Hk Government, stories on Hk Government, articles on Hk Government, Hk Government stories at Wion, Hk Government news, Hk Government latest news

hk government

Carrie Lam blames education system for protests in Hong Kong, vows to reform it

Hong Kong: Around 400 arrested in New Year's Day unrest

Hong Kong protesters turn to Taiwan in search of new lives

Hong Kong: Series of week-long lunchtime protests begin

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