The World is One News, WION examines global issues with in-depth analysis. We provide much more than the news of the day. Our aim is to empower people to explore their world.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - January 25, 2020

Hong Kong is witnessing protests yet again and protestors in huge numbers gather to call for electoral reforms and also to boycott the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing. The demonstrators started the march towards the nearby legislative council building.

Protests continue in Hong Kong, protestors call for electoral reforms

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam’s government again pushed back on a key demand of protesters as a downtown rally turned violent, showing the unrest that began last June still has no end in sight.

Hong Kong unrest: Protesters call for electoral reforms

Several policemen were beaten bloody by pro-democracy protesters in a rally demanding greater democratic freedoms in Hong Kong on Sunday. &nbsp;

Violence erupted when police ordered the protesters to disperse from city's commercial district.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-1000-gather-in-central-hong-kong-park-to-call-for-democracy-275246">Over 1,000 gather in central Hong Kong park to call for democracy</a>

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/as-pro-democracy-rally-ends-in-hong-kong-police-made-several-arrests-275302/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A group of officers who were negotiating with the rallly organisers were beaten with umbrellas by masked protesters, reported AFP.&nbsp;

At least two police&nbsp;officers were injured with bloody head wounds.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-work-with-new-chinese-envoy-to-get-back-on-right-path-hong-kongs-carrie-lam-272610">Will work with new Chinese envoy to get back on 'right path': Hong Kong's Carrie Lam</a>

In a statement, police said that two community liaison officers were beaten with wooden sticks and sustained head injuries. Police also said that some demonstrators also threw water bottles at some other cops who were carrying a 'stop and search' operation.

Riot police swept into the area and fired tear gas to disperse the gathering.&nbsp;

Multiple people were arrested. One protester was also badly injured, with blood streaming from the back of his head.&nbsp;

Protesters key demand is an independent inquiry into the police handling the protests. They are also demanding free elections.&nbsp;

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam and China have refused to give more concessions.&nbsp;

The protests are continuing in Hong Kong for seven months and were first triggered by a now-abandoned proposal to allow extraditions to China. Soon after, the movement started demanding greater democratic freedom and is seen as one of the toughest challenge to China since 1997 when the region was handed over to China.

(with inputs from Reuters and AFP)

Several policemen were beaten bloody by pro-democracy protesters in a rally demanding greater democratic freedoms in Hong Kong on Sunday. Violence erupted when police ordered the protesters to disperse from city's commercial district.

Several policemen were beaten bloody by pro-democracy protesters in a rally demanding greater democratic freedoms in Hong Kong on Sunday. Violence erupted when police ordered the protesters to disperse from city's commercial district. Also read: Over 1,000 gather in central Hong Kong park to call for democracy Watch: A group of officers who were negotiating with the rallly organisers were beaten with umbrellas by masked protesters, reported AFP. At least two police officers were injured with bloody head wounds. Also read: Will work with new Chinese envoy to get back on 'right path': Hong Kong's Carrie Lam In a statement, police said that two community liaison officers were beaten with wooden sticks and sustained head injuries. Police also said that some demonstrators also threw water bottles at some other cops who were carrying a 'stop and search' operation. Riot police swept into the area and fired tear gas to disperse the gathering. Multiple people were arrested. One protester was also badly injured, with blood streaming from the back of his head. Protesters key demand is an independent inquiry into the police handling the protests. They are also demanding free elections. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam and China have refused to give more concessions. The protests are continuing in Hong Kong for seven months and were first triggered by a now-abandoned proposal to allow extraditions to China. Soon after, the movement started demanding greater democratic freedom and is seen as one of the toughest challenge to China since 1997 when the region was handed over to China. (with inputs from Reuters and AFP)

Hong Kong unrest: Protesters rally, thrash police officers

Hundreds of protesters in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinas-birth-rate-is-at-its-lowest-in-70-years-275226">China</a>-ruled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-airlines-apologies-for-the-unconvinced-caused-to-the-women-274863">Hong Kong</a> gathered in a central park on Sunday to call for democratic reforms and denounce communism, as police stopped and searched people on nearby streets and in metro stations.

The "Universal Siege Against Communism" demonstration was the latest in a relentless series of protests against the government since June when Hong Kongers took to the streets to voice their anger over a now-withdrawn extradition bill.

<img alt="Hong Kong protests" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="30c49d91-6041-4705-a283-3c5fb1b9a526" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-01-19T150623.841.jpg" />

The protests, which have since broadened to include demands for universal suffrage and an independent investigation into police handling of the demonstrations, have lost some of their intensity in recent weeks.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-work-with-new-chinese-envoy-to-get-back-on-right-path-hong-kongs-carrie-lam-272610">Will work with new Chinese envoy to get back on 'right path': Hong Kong's Carrie Lam</a>

In an apparent new tactic, police have been showing up ahead of time in riot gear, with officers conducting "stop and search" operations near expected demonstrations. A water cannon truck and armoured jeeps were also visible on central streets on Sunday.

Also watch:&nbsp;Hong Kong riot police detain protesters

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-riot-police-detain-protesters-271719/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Everyone understands that there’s a risk of stop-and-search or mass arrests. I appreciate Hong Kong people still come out courageously, despite the risk,” said organiser <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protesters-fete-landslide-election-win-for-taiwans-tsai-ing-wen-273784">Ventus Lau</a>.

Lau initially applied for a permit for a march, but the police only gave a green light for a static rally instead, saying previous marches have turned violent.

On January 1, a march of tens of thousands of people ended with police firing tear gas to disperse crowds.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-defuse-pipe-bomb-arrest-four-for-manufacturing-explosives-274330">Hong Kong police defuse pipe bomb, arrest four for manufacturing explosives</a>

At Sunday's rally, more than one thousand people gathered in a park surrounded by some of Hong Kong's tallest skyscrapers, chanting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-defuse-pipe-bomb-arrest-four-for-manufacturing-explosives-274330">pro-democracy</a> slogans as they listened to speeches by activists.

Youngsters, dressed in black and covering their faces, mixed with older people and families with children and the atmosphere was relaxed.

In one corner, a group of volunteers set up a stand where people could leave messages on red cards for the lunar new year to be sent to those who have been arrested. One read: “Hong Kongers won’t give up. The future belongs to the youth”.

Authorities in Hong Kong have arrested more than 7,000 people, many on charges of rioting that can carry jail terms of up to 10 years. It is unclear how many are still in custody.

<img alt="Police arrest protesters" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9ed14692-02de-47ca-935a-750cb6eae30e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-01-19T150805.360.jpg" /> 
&nbsp;

Anger has grown over the months due to perceptions that Beijing was tightening its grip over the city, which was handed over to China by Britain in 1997 in a deal that ensured it enjoyed liberties unavailable in the mainland.

Beijing denies meddling and blames the West for fomenting unrest.

Hundreds of protesters in China-ruled Hong Kong gathered in a central park on Sunday to call for democratic reforms and denounce communism, as police stopped and searched people on nearby streets and in metro stations.

Hundreds of protesters in China-ruled Hong Kong gathered in a central park on Sunday to call for democratic reforms and denounce communism, as police stopped and searched people on nearby streets and in metro stations. The "Universal Siege Against Communism" demonstration was the latest in a relentless series of protests against the government since June when Hong Kongers took to the streets to voice their anger over a now-withdrawn extradition bill. The protests, which have since broadened to include demands for universal suffrage and an independent investigation into police handling of the demonstrations, have lost some of their intensity in recent weeks. Also read: Will work with new Chinese envoy to get back on 'right path': Hong Kong's Carrie Lam In an apparent new tactic, police have been showing up ahead of time in riot gear, with officers conducting "stop and search" operations near expected demonstrations. A water cannon truck and armoured jeeps were also visible on central streets on Sunday. Also watch: Hong Kong riot police detain protesters "Everyone understands that there’s a risk of stop-and-search or mass arrests. I appreciate Hong Kong people still come out courageously, despite the risk,” said organiser Ventus Lau. Lau initially applied for a permit for a march, but the police only gave a green light for a static rally instead, saying previous marches have turned violent. On January 1, a march of tens of thousands of people ended with police firing tear gas to disperse crowds. Also read: Hong Kong police defuse pipe bomb, arrest four for manufacturing explosives At Sunday's rally, more than one thousand people gathered in a park surrounded by some of Hong Kong's tallest skyscrapers, chanting pro-democracy slogans as they listened to speeches by activists. Youngsters, dressed in black and covering their faces, mixed with older people and families with children and the atmosphere was relaxed. In one corner, a group of volunteers set up a stand where people could leave messages on red cards for the lunar new year to be sent to those who have been arrested. One read: “Hong Kongers won’t give up. The future belongs to the youth”. Authorities in Hong Kong have arrested more than 7,000 people, many on charges of rioting that can carry jail terms of up to 10 years. It is unclear how many are still in custody. Anger has grown over the months due to perceptions that Beijing was tightening its grip over the city, which was handed over to China by Britain in 1997 in a deal that ensured it enjoyed liberties unavailable in the mainland. Beijing denies meddling and blames the West for fomenting unrest.

Over 1,000 gather in central Hong Kong park to call for democracy

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - January 17, 2020

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - January 16, 2020

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - January 15, 2020

The World is One News, WION examines global issues with in-depth analysis. We provide much more than the news of the day. Our aim is to empower people to explore their world. #WION #WIONspeednews #Australia #China #Iran #US

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - January 14, 2020

The World is One News, WION examines global issues with in-depth analysis. We provide much more than the news of the day. Our aim is to empower people to explore their world. #WION

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - January 13, 2020

The global head of Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said he was denied entry to Hong Kong on Sunday. #WION #HongKong #HumanRightsWatch

Human Rights Watch chief barred entry to Hong Kong

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - January 07, 2020

The World is One News, WION examines global issues with in-depth analysis. We provide much more than the news of the day. Our aim is to empower people to explore their world. #WIONSpeedNews #WION

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - January 05, 2020

Before midnight on New Year's Eve, a call to action was sent on a private WhatsApp group,&nbsp;within the hour, dozens gathered in the centre of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-all-police-stations-in-hyderabad-to-get-a-cyber-crime-wing-270543">Hyderabad</a>, many holding banners to protest a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/citizenship-amendment-bill-avoidable-controversy-267862">controversial new citizenship law</a>.

Police quickly dispersed the group and briefly detained six people, but for Syed Faheem, who formed the WhatsApp group,&nbsp;it marked another successful flash protest, inspired by tactics used by protesters in Hong Kong.

Faheem, a software consultant, is one of a growing group of opponents to the new law who have begun to borrow tactics used in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-around-400-arrested-in-new-years-day-unrest-271484">protests</a> from Hong Kong to Paris, to protest legislation that critics say discriminates against Muslims.

In Hyderabad, some protesters say it is impossible to secure police permission to hold demonstrations, forcing them to adopt new tactics to show dissent.

"The objective is to get 30 minutes at one spot. Some people support us, others come and argue with us," said Faheem, who has organised regular flash protests through WhatsApp messages that are amplified via social media.

The location of the protests, which change daily, are posted just an hour or two in advance, with the exact spots shared just minutes ahead of time.

Hyderabad's police chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ayodhya-verdict-school-colleges-shut-in-up-mp-karnataka-jk-delhi-section-144-imposed-260914">Anjani Kumar</a> told media that people are being permitted to gather in areas such as sports grounds, or indoor auditoriums to protest, but added: "We've not given permission for any rally or procession because that affects traffic."

In Hong Kong, where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-unrest-protesters-vow-to-keep-fighting-police-fire-tear-gas-271427">anti-government demonstrations</a> have raged on for months, protesters adopted a "be water" strategy, inspired by martial arts legend Bruce Lee, popping up in different locations almost daily to catch authorities flat-footed.

Sharjeel Imam, who helped organise a New Delhi sit-in protest against the new law that has run for weeks, said he plans to adopt the flash mob strategy to keep the agitation going.

In Hyderabad, the idea to copy Hong Kong's play-book came as protestors sought ways to run a long-term campaign that police would find hard to curb, two members from Faheem's group said.

"Hong Kong has been pivotal. It was very inspiring," said a 30-year-old IT professional, who declined to be identified.

After police restricted protests in another southern city, students at the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore took inspiration from 2015 protests in Paris where shoes were put on display - in place of cancelled protests - to support action against climate change. Students also borrowed ideas from the 1975 protests against the imposition of an emergency in India.

"Police weren't letting us place placards with any messages, so we copied what the press did in 1975 and left blank placards with 'Concerned Citizens of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/anti-caa-protests-bengaluru-erupts-defies-section-144-269169">IIM-Bangalore</a>' written on them," a student involved in the protest said.

"Generations later, when they ask us what we did when they came for the Muslims, I at least want to be able to say - 'We tried'", she said.

Before midnight on New Year's Eve, a call to action was sent on a private WhatsApp group, within the hour, dozens gathered in the centre of the Hyderabad, many holding banners to protest a controversial new citizenship law.

Before midnight on New Year's Eve, a call to action was sent on a private WhatsApp group, within the hour, dozens gathered in the centre of the Hyderabad, many holding banners to protest a controversial new citizenship law. Police quickly dispersed the group and briefly detained six people, but for Syed Faheem, who formed the WhatsApp group, it marked another successful flash protest, inspired by tactics used by protesters in Hong Kong. Faheem, a software consultant, is one of a growing group of opponents to the new law who have begun to borrow tactics used in protests from Hong Kong to Paris, to protest legislation that critics say discriminates against Muslims. In Hyderabad, some protesters say it is impossible to secure police permission to hold demonstrations, forcing them to adopt new tactics to show dissent. "The objective is to get 30 minutes at one spot. Some people support us, others come and argue with us," said Faheem, who has organised regular flash protests through WhatsApp messages that are amplified via social media. The location of the protests, which change daily, are posted just an hour or two in advance, with the exact spots shared just minutes ahead of time. Hyderabad's police chief Anjani Kumar told media that people are being permitted to gather in areas such as sports grounds, or indoor auditoriums to protest, but added: "We've not given permission for any rally or procession because that affects traffic." In Hong Kong, where anti-government demonstrations have raged on for months, protesters adopted a "be water" strategy, inspired by martial arts legend Bruce Lee, popping up in different locations almost daily to catch authorities flat-footed. Sharjeel Imam, who helped organise a New Delhi sit-in protest against the new law that has run for weeks, said he plans to adopt the flash mob strategy to keep the agitation going. In Hyderabad, the idea to copy Hong Kong's play-book came as protestors sought ways to run a long-term campaign that police would find hard to curb, two members from Faheem's group said. "Hong Kong has been pivotal. It was very inspiring," said a 30-year-old IT professional, who declined to be identified. After police restricted protests in another southern city, students at the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore took inspiration from 2015 protests in Paris where shoes were put on display - in place of cancelled protests - to support action against climate change. Students also borrowed ideas from the 1975 protests against the imposition of an emergency in India. "Police weren't letting us place placards with any messages, so we copied what the press did in 1975 and left blank placards with 'Concerned Citizens of IIM-Bangalore' written on them," a student involved in the protest said. "Generations later, when they ask us what we did when they came for the Muslims, I at least want to be able to say - 'We tried'", she said.

Indian protesters took 'Be Water' strategy from Hong Kong protest to skirt police restrictions

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - January 04, 2020

China has removed the head of its Hong Kong liaison office <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-sets-up-hong-kong-crisis-centre-in-mainland-open-to-replacing-chief-liaison-264564">Wang Zhimin</a>, according to a Saturday post on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

The move comes as sometimes violent protests roil Hong Kong in a month-long show of anti-Beijing sentiment.

Ordinarily, communications between Beijing and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-around-400-arrested-in-new-years-day-unrest-271484">Hong Kong</a> are conducted through a Chinese government body: the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong.

Wang was the most senior mainland political official stationed in Hong Kong.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/hsbc-suspended-overnight-services-at-19-atm-clusters-in-hong-kong-after-branches-vandalised-271907">Beijing</a> was considering potential replacements for Wang in a sign of dissatisfaction with the Liaison Office's handling of the crisis. The office has come in for criticism in Hong Kong and China for misjudging the situation in the city.

The new liaison office head will be 65-year-old Luo Huining, said the post, who was semi-retired after being removed from his position as the secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-to-celebrate-new-year-with-a-fresh-wave-of-protests-271280">Communist Party of China</a>.

Wang is the shortest-serving Liaison office director since 1997.

China has removed the head of its Hong Kong liaison office Wang Zhimin, according to a Saturday post on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

China has removed the head of its Hong Kong liaison office Wang Zhimin, according to a Saturday post on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The move comes as sometimes violent protests roil Hong Kong in a month-long show of anti-Beijing sentiment. Ordinarily, communications between Beijing and Hong Kong are conducted through a Chinese government body: the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong. Wang was the most senior mainland political official stationed in Hong Kong. Beijing was considering potential replacements for Wang in a sign of dissatisfaction with the Liaison Office's handling of the crisis. The office has come in for criticism in Hong Kong and China for misjudging the situation in the city. The new liaison office head will be 65-year-old Luo Huining, said the post, who was semi-retired after being removed from his position as the secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China. Wang is the shortest-serving Liaison office director since 1997.

China: Luo Huining replaces Wang Zhimin as Hong Kong's top envoy

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - January 3, 2020

Gold firmed on Thursday, edging back towards the three-month peak it reached earlier in the week on the back of dollar weakness, with the market focusing on minutes of the US&nbsp;Federal Reserve's December policy meeting.

Spot gold was up 0.4 per cent&nbsp;to $1,523.12 per ounce as of 1248 GMT, having touched its highest since Sept. 25 at $1,525.20 on Tuesday. The US&nbsp;gold futures were up 0.2 per cent&nbsp;at $1,525.80.

"We are seeing a bit of a bounce-back&nbsp;in the dollar but if you look at the movements that we saw (in the past few days), it is probably supporting gold in the interim," said OANDA analyst Craig Erlam.

The negative correlation between the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/dollar-snaps-six-day-losing-streak-a-flat-start-for-2020-271653">dollar</a> and bullion is what really propelled gold from $1,480 to $1,520, he said, but further upside in the US&nbsp;currency could put pressure on gold.

Against key rivals, the dollar was up 0.3 per cent&nbsp;this session but was trading not far from the six-month low it touched on Tuesday.

Beijing's decision to ease monetary policy further supported bullion, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sterling-rebounds-on-eve-of-uk-election-267749">Erlam</a> added.

China's central bank on Wednesday said it was cutting the amount of cash that all banks must hold as reserves, releasing funds to shore up the slowing economy.

Bullion prices posted their biggest annual rise in nearly a decade in 2019, boosted by the drawn-out trade war between the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-halts-british-stock-link-over-political-tensions-sources-271591">United States and China</a> that dragged on global economic growth.

Many analysts said prices were likely to rise further in 2020, with shaky growth and global stock markets potentially looking unsustainable at record highs.

"A key thing to look out for is stock markets, which have been setting new highs," said Brian Lan, managing director at dealer GoldSilver Central in Singapore. "In case there is some correction, we (could) see some capital flows into gold."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdoms-new-government-increases-minimum-wage-to-ps872-271242">Brexit</a>, the US&nbsp;presidential election, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protests-severely-challenged-one-country-two-systems-principle-xi-in-his-new-year-address-271325">protests in Hong Kong</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-says-north-korea-to-show-new-strategic-weapon-leaves-room-for-talks-271331">tensions with North Korea</a> would be the other key factors for the market this year, he said.

Investor focus has now turned to the minutes of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/gold-climbs-to-three-month-high-poised-for-best-year-since-2010-271231">Federal Reserve's</a> December&nbsp;10-11 policy meeting, due at 1900 GMT on Friday. Lower interest rates encourage the buying of non-interest-paying bullion.

"Friday's US&nbsp;manufacturing ISM and the December <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-markets-asian-shares-buoyed-by-wall-st-rally-but-china-worry-caps-gains-267070">Federal Open Market Committee</a> (FOMC) minutes could provide an impulse," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-surge-after-us-strike-kills-iranian-general-271775">Stephen Innes</a>, a market strategist at AxiTrader said in a note.

Among other precious metals, silver gained 0.5 per cent&nbsp;to $17.92 per ounce, while platinum rose 1.7 per cent&nbsp;to $979.65 and palladium edged up 0.4 per cent&nbsp;to $1,947.37 per ounce.

Gold firmed on Thursday, edging back towards the three-month peak it reached earlier in the week on the back of dollar weakness, with the market focusing on minutes of the US Federal Reserve's December policy meeting.

Gold firmed on Thursday, edging back towards the three-month peak it reached earlier in the week on the back of dollar weakness, with the market focusing on minutes of the US Federal Reserve's December policy meeting. Spot gold was up 0.4 per cent to $1,523.12 per ounce as of 1248 GMT, having touched its highest since Sept. 25 at $1,525.20 on Tuesday. The US gold futures were up 0.2 per cent at $1,525.80. "We are seeing a bit of a bounce-back in the dollar but if you look at the movements that we saw (in the past few days), it is probably supporting gold in the interim," said OANDA analyst Craig Erlam. The negative correlation between the dollar and bullion is what really propelled gold from $1,480 to $1,520, he said, but further upside in the US currency could put pressure on gold. Against key rivals, the dollar was up 0.3 per cent this session but was trading not far from the six-month low it touched on Tuesday. Beijing's decision to ease monetary policy further supported bullion, Erlam added. China's central bank on Wednesday said it was cutting the amount of cash that all banks must hold as reserves, releasing funds to shore up the slowing economy. Bullion prices posted their biggest annual rise in nearly a decade in 2019, boosted by the drawn-out trade war between the United States and China that dragged on global economic growth. Many analysts said prices were likely to rise further in 2020, with shaky growth and global stock markets potentially looking unsustainable at record highs. "A key thing to look out for is stock markets, which have been setting new highs," said Brian Lan, managing director at dealer GoldSilver Central in Singapore. "In case there is some correction, we (could) see some capital flows into gold." Brexit, the US presidential election, protests in Hong Kong and tensions with North Korea would be the other key factors for the market this year, he said. Investor focus has now turned to the minutes of the Federal Reserve's December 10-11 policy meeting, due at 1900 GMT on Friday. Lower interest rates encourage the buying of non-interest-paying bullion. "Friday's US manufacturing ISM and the December Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes could provide an impulse," Stephen Innes, a market strategist at AxiTrader said in a note. Among other precious metals, silver gained 0.5 per cent to $17.92 per ounce, while platinum rose 1.7 per cent to $979.65 and palladium edged up 0.4 per cent to $1,947.37 per ounce.

Gold rises back towards three-month high, markets eye Fed minutes

Hong Kong started the first day of the year with a massive anti-government protest march that ended in chaos, as radicals blocked roads, smashed traffic lights, threw petrol bombs, vandalised bank branches.

Hong Kong kicks off 2020 with fresh protests

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - January 2, 2020

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-government-fines-hsbc-1924-million-in-tax-evasion-case-267705">HSBC</a>&nbsp;is being drawn into&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's political turmoil with protesters attacking some of its&nbsp;branches&nbsp;and graffiti daubed on the famous pair of lions that guard its city-centre headquarters.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;is the bank's single most important market, accounting for just over half of its $12.5 billion pre-tax profits in the first half of 2019, though with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protests-severely-challenged-one-country-two-systems-principle-xi-in-his-new-year-address-271325">protests</a> tipping&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's economy into recession,&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;and its peers are expected to take a financial hit.

Until now,&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;had largely escaped direct involvement in the often-violent anti-government protests that have shaken&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;for more than six months even as other companies with perceived links to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/airbus-beats-goal-with-863-jet-deliveries-in-2019-ousts-boeing-from-top-spot-271445">Beijing</a> have seen premises&nbsp;vandalised, including <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-unrest-protesters-vow-to-keep-fighting-police-fire-tear-gas-271427">Bank of China</a> (Hong&nbsp;Kong),&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's second largest bank behind&nbsp;HSBC.

But more recently,&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;has drawn the ire of some protesters who accuse it of being complicit in action by the authorities against activists trying to raise money to support their campaign.

Protesters link the bank's closure in November of an account held by a group called Spark Alliance, which helps pay protesters' legal costs, to the December arrest of four Spark Alliance members on money laundering charges.

HSBC&nbsp;has strongly denied any connection.

"People are angry because they feel that&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;has stopped money getting to the protesters," one protester said on Wednesday, of the decision to close the account as he stood in a group taking photos of the damaged lions.

HSBC&nbsp;said in a statement after the arrests that the decision to close the account was "in accordance to international regulatory standards".

"Our decision is completely unrelated to the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Police’s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-around-400-arrested-in-new-years-day-unrest-271484">arrest</a> of the four individuals on 19 December 2019.&nbsp;We&nbsp;closed&nbsp;the account in November 2019 following direct instruction from the customer," the bank said.

It is highly unusual for&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;to comment on individual cases.

Two&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;branches&nbsp;and seven indoor ATM clusters were&nbsp;closed&nbsp;on Thursday, the first working day of the&nbsp;year.

Some had their windows smashed and "support Spark Alliance" was spray painted on their walls during a New&nbsp;Year's Day anti-government protest march. Others were damaged during protests on Christmas Eve.

Also Watch:&nbsp;Hong Kong kicks off 2020 fresh protests

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The two lions were daubed with graffiti and briefly set alight after being doused in a flammable liquid.

HSBC&nbsp;said on Thursday initial cleaning of the lions had begun.

"We are engaging conservation experts to advise us on the professional restoration required and the process can take time," the bank said in a statement.

More than 90 per cent&nbsp;of the $4.4 billion generated by&nbsp;HSBC's retail banking and wealth management unit in the six months to last June, came from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/last-year-was-marked-by-defiance-dissent-2020-is-likely-to-be-no-different-271611">Hong&nbsp;Kong</a>.

HSBC&nbsp;has also deployed billions of dollars in China’s southern Pearl River Delta region, adjacent to&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, and has expanded its services in the world’s second largest economy.

Beijing plans to integrate the Pearl River Delta and&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-president-xi-jinping-praises-macau-for-choosing-unity-and-negotiation-over-contention-269302">Macau</a> to create an economic powerhouse under its Greater Bay Area Initiative.

HSBC's entanglement in the protests underlines the tightrope that companies have had to walk since the protests got going in June in response to a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party.

The demonstrations have evolved into a broad <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-readies-for-new-year-democracy-rally-271378">pro-democracy movement</a>.

"Clearly, there is a fine line for management to draw between customers and the Chinese authorities,” said a head of corporate governance at a UK-based asset manager and&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;shareholder.

Other&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;companies have been damaged by being perceived to be too supportive of the protests.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/seven-hong-kong-airlines-planes-impounded-by-authority-268722">Cathay Pacific Airways</a> was forced by Beijing to suspend staff involved in the protests, and chief executive Rupert Hogg and his top deputy resigned in August amid the turmoil.

HSBC&nbsp;has previously been targeted by supporters of Beijing.

Users of China's Weibo social media platform shared screenshots last&nbsp;year&nbsp;of an&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;employee's Facebook posts supporting the protests. The posts urged readers to complain to&nbsp;HSBC&nbsp;management.

"Businesses now have to consider how three different groups will react to their decisions: The Chinese government,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;protesters, and Chinese consumers," said Kent Kedl, head of Control Risks' Greater China practice.

HSBC is being drawn into Hong Kong's political turmoil with protesters attacking some of its branches and graffiti daubed on the famous pair of lions that guard its city-centre headquarters.

HSBC is being drawn into Hong Kong's political turmoil with protesters attacking some of its branches and graffiti daubed on the famous pair of lions that guard its city-centre headquarters. Hong Kong is the bank's single most important market, accounting for just over half of its $12.5 billion pre-tax profits in the first half of 2019, though with the protests tipping Hong Kong's economy into recession, HSBC and its peers are expected to take a financial hit. Until now, HSBC had largely escaped direct involvement in the often-violent anti-government protests that have shaken Hong Kong for more than six months even as other companies with perceived links to Beijing have seen premises vandalised, including Bank of China (Hong Kong), Hong Kong's second largest bank behind HSBC. But more recently, HSBC has drawn the ire of some protesters who accuse it of being complicit in action by the authorities against activists trying to raise money to support their campaign. Protesters link the bank's closure in November of an account held by a group called Spark Alliance, which helps pay protesters' legal costs, to the December arrest of four Spark Alliance members on money laundering charges. HSBC has strongly denied any connection. "People are angry because they feel that HSBC has stopped money getting to the protesters," one protester said on Wednesday, of the decision to close the account as he stood in a group taking photos of the damaged lions. HSBC said in a statement after the arrests that the decision to close the account was "in accordance to international regulatory standards". "Our decision is completely unrelated to the Hong Kong Police’s arrest of the four individuals on 19 December 2019. We closed the account in November 2019 following direct instruction from the customer," the bank said. It is highly unusual for HSBC to comment on individual cases. Two HSBC branches and seven indoor ATM clusters were closed on Thursday, the first working day of the year. Some had their windows smashed and "support Spark Alliance" was spray painted on their walls during a New Year's Day anti-government protest march. Others were damaged during protests on Christmas Eve. Also Watch: Hong Kong kicks off 2020 fresh protests × The two lions were daubed with graffiti and briefly set alight after being doused in a flammable liquid. HSBC said on Thursday initial cleaning of the lions had begun. "We are engaging conservation experts to advise us on the professional restoration required and the process can take time," the bank said in a statement. More than 90 per cent of the $4.4 billion generated by HSBC's retail banking and wealth management unit in the six months to last June, came from Hong Kong. HSBC has also deployed billions of dollars in China’s southern Pearl River Delta region, adjacent to Hong Kong, and has expanded its services in the world’s second largest economy. Beijing plans to integrate the Pearl River Delta and Hong Kong and Macau to create an economic powerhouse under its Greater Bay Area Initiative. HSBC's entanglement in the protests underlines the tightrope that companies have had to walk since the protests got going in June in response to a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party. The demonstrations have evolved into a broad pro-democracy movement. "Clearly, there is a fine line for management to draw between customers and the Chinese authorities,” said a head of corporate governance at a UK-based asset manager and HSBC shareholder. Other Hong Kong companies have been damaged by being perceived to be too supportive of the protests. Cathay Pacific Airways was forced by Beijing to suspend staff involved in the protests, and chief executive Rupert Hogg and his top deputy resigned in August amid the turmoil. HSBC has previously been targeted by supporters of Beijing. Users of China's Weibo social media platform shared screenshots last year of an HSBC employee's Facebook posts supporting the protests. The posts urged readers to complain to HSBC management. "Businesses now have to consider how three different groups will react to their decisions: The Chinese government, Hong Kong protesters, and Chinese consumers," said Kent Kedl, head of Control Risks' Greater China practice.

HSBC begins year with Hong Kong branches closed, vandalised

From Fawkes masks to tear gases, this is how Hong Kongers welcomed New Year

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-xi-jinping-turns-to-financial-experts-to-tame-economic-risks-270512">Chinese President Xi Jinping</a>'s New Year address reaffirmed China's commitment to the rest of the world, said a China Media Group (CMG) commentary published on Tuesday.

The full text of the CMG commentary is as follows:

In his New Year address on Tuesday evening, President Xi Jinping spoke about China's achievements over the past year. These achievements are all the more laudable given the complex challenges the world faces today, including a global economic climate afflicted by rising unilateralism and trade protectionism.

In his address, President Xi said he expected China's GDP to reach nearly 100 trillion yuan (about 14.3 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2019 and its per capita GDP to reach 10,000 U.S. dollars. By advancing almost 10 trillion yuan within one year, roughly equivalent to Australia's GDP in 2018, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-phase-one-trade-deal-to-be-signed-january-15-trump-271308">China</a> has provided more evidence that it remains a major driving force for global growth, and that it will continue to offer more and more market opportunities to the world.

This economic achievement was helped by three indispensable factors: reform, opening-up, and innovation. In his address, President Xi said China had honored its pledges with concrete measures, including the reform of Party and government institutions, more than two trillion yuan of tax and fee cuts, the establishment of more free-trade zones, the launch of the Science and Technology Innovation Board, and an acceleration in the commercial application of 5G technology.

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China has also shared development opportunities with the rest of the world. Deals worth billions of dollars were clinched at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the second China International Import Expo. And the number of countries that have official ties with China rose to 180 over the past year, reflecting the growing international recognition of the country's contribution to the world.

The year hasn't been an entirely easy one. As President Xi said, the riots in Hong Kong have severely challenged the "one country, two systems" principle. But the successful application of this principle in Macao shows how effective it can be. President Xi sent his best wishes to the residents of Hong Kong, lending the support of all of the people of the mainland to their Hong Kong compatriots as they strive for prosperity and stability.

Looking ahead, the president said that 2020 will be a milestone. China will finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, which marks a realization of the first of its two centenary goals. It will also be a year of decisive victory for the elimination of poverty: All of the residents of China's impoverished rural areas will be lifted out of poverty.

The world watched closely this year as the Chinese people celebrated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic. Some people had doubts as to whether the world's second-largest economy could withstand the mounting external pressure, reach its development goals, and continue to be a major force driving global growth. But the results are clear –- the Chinese people rose up and met these challenges.

President Xi said that China is determined to walk along the road of peaceful development and will resolutely safeguard world peace and promote common development. As we move into the New Year, this is China's firm commitment to the world.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year address reaffirmed China's commitment to the rest of the world, said a China Media Group (CMG) commentary published on Tuesday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year address reaffirmed China's commitment to the rest of the world, said a China Media Group (CMG) commentary published on Tuesday. The full text of the CMG commentary is as follows: In his New Year address on Tuesday evening, President Xi Jinping spoke about China's achievements over the past year. These achievements are all the more laudable given the complex challenges the world faces today, including a global economic climate afflicted by rising unilateralism and trade protectionism. In his address, President Xi said he expected China's GDP to reach nearly 100 trillion yuan (about 14.3 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2019 and its per capita GDP to reach 10,000 U.S. dollars. By advancing almost 10 trillion yuan within one year, roughly equivalent to Australia's GDP in 2018, China has provided more evidence that it remains a major driving force for global growth, and that it will continue to offer more and more market opportunities to the world. This economic achievement was helped by three indispensable factors: reform, opening-up, and innovation. In his address, President Xi said China had honored its pledges with concrete measures, including the reform of Party and government institutions, more than two trillion yuan of tax and fee cuts, the establishment of more free-trade zones, the launch of the Science and Technology Innovation Board, and an acceleration in the commercial application of 5G technology. × China has also shared development opportunities with the rest of the world. Deals worth billions of dollars were clinched at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the second China International Import Expo. And the number of countries that have official ties with China rose to 180 over the past year, reflecting the growing international recognition of the country's contribution to the world. The year hasn't been an entirely easy one. As President Xi said, the riots in Hong Kong have severely challenged the "one country, two systems" principle. But the successful application of this principle in Macao shows how effective it can be. President Xi sent his best wishes to the residents of Hong Kong, lending the support of all of the people of the mainland to their Hong Kong compatriots as they strive for prosperity and stability. Looking ahead, the president said that 2020 will be a milestone. China will finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, which marks a realization of the first of its two centenary goals. It will also be a year of decisive victory for the elimination of poverty: All of the residents of China's impoverished rural areas will be lifted out of poverty. The world watched closely this year as the Chinese people celebrated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic. Some people had doubts as to whether the world's second-largest economy could withstand the mounting external pressure, reach its development goals, and continue to be a major force driving global growth. But the results are clear –- the Chinese people rose up and met these challenges. President Xi said that China is determined to walk along the road of peaceful development and will resolutely safeguard world peace and promote common development. As we move into the New Year, this is China's firm commitment to the world.

Hong Kong protests severely challenged 'one country, two systems' principle: Xi in his New Year address

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;police will deploy more than 6,000 officers on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydney-to-continue-new-year-eves-fireworks-despite-massive-protest-petition-270998">New&nbsp;Year's Eve</a>, local media reported on Tuesday, as protesters plan rallies around the city to urge people not to give&nbsp;up&nbsp;the fight for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-signs-hong-kong-democracy-act-china-threatens-firm-countermeasures-264966">democracy</a> in 2020.

Protests planned on&nbsp;New&nbsp;Year's Eve include a lunchtime rally in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's Central business district with people urged to wear masks and "Don't forget 2019 - Persist in 2020" according to social media posts.

Events dubbed "Suck the Eve" and "Shop With You" are also set for the bar and entertainment district of Lan Kwai Fong in the central business district, as well as promenades near Victoria Harbour, and in major shopping malls.

Police will deploy more than 6,000 officers to deal with potential&nbsp;unrest&nbsp;over the&nbsp;New&nbsp;Year's period, according to the South China Morning Post&nbsp;newspaper, citing unnamed sources.

The police say they have arrested nearly 6,500 people since the protests began escalating in June in what is the worst political crisis faced by the city in decades. The police commissioner, Chris Tang, warned the force would not let&nbsp;up&nbsp;in its arrests to try to restore stability to the city.

On&nbsp;New&nbsp;Year's Day, tens of thousands are expected to join a major pro-democracy march, after it received police approval to proceed, with organisers hoping to sustain the protest movement's momentum into the&nbsp;new&nbsp;year.

The previous such march by organisers, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-gives-protesters-green-light-for-big-march-on-sunday-266462">Civil Human Rights Front</a>, in early December, drew an estimated 800,000 people.

"On&nbsp;New&nbsp;Year's Day, we need to show our solidarity to resist the government. We hope&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;people will come onto the streets for&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's future," said Jimmy Sham, a leader of the group&nbsp;told reporters.

The protests began in June in response to a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party and have evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement.

The demonstrations planned for&nbsp;New&nbsp;Year&nbsp;follow a pick&nbsp;up&nbsp;in clashes since Christmas Eve when riot police fired tear gas at thousands of protesters following scuffles in shopping malls and in a prime tourist district.

Hong Kong police will deploy more than 6,000 officers on New Year's Eve, local media reported on Tuesday, as protesters plan rallies around the city to urge people not to give up the fight for democracy in 2020.

Hong Kong police will deploy more than 6,000 officers on New Year's Eve, local media reported on Tuesday, as protesters plan rallies around the city to urge people not to give up the fight for democracy in 2020. Protests planned on New Year's Eve include a lunchtime rally in Hong Kong's Central business district with people urged to wear masks and "Don't forget 2019 - Persist in 2020" according to social media posts. Events dubbed "Suck the Eve" and "Shop With You" are also set for the bar and entertainment district of Lan Kwai Fong in the central business district, as well as promenades near Victoria Harbour, and in major shopping malls. Police will deploy more than 6,000 officers to deal with potential unrest over the New Year's period, according to the South China Morning Post newspaper, citing unnamed sources. The police say they have arrested nearly 6,500 people since the protests began escalating in June in what is the worst political crisis faced by the city in decades. The police commissioner, Chris Tang, warned the force would not let up in its arrests to try to restore stability to the city. On New Year's Day, tens of thousands are expected to join a major pro-democracy march, after it received police approval to proceed, with organisers hoping to sustain the protest movement's momentum into the new year. The previous such march by organisers, the Civil Human Rights Front, in early December, drew an estimated 800,000 people. "On New Year's Day, we need to show our solidarity to resist the government. We hope Hong Kong people will come onto the streets for Hong Kong's future," said Jimmy Sham, a leader of the group told reporters. The protests began in June in response to a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party and have evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement. The demonstrations planned for New Year follow a pick up in clashes since Christmas Eve when riot police fired tear gas at thousands of protesters following scuffles in shopping malls and in a prime tourist district.

Hong Kong gears up for New Year countdown unrest

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/persist-in-2020-hong-kong-gears-up-for-new-year-countdown-unrest-271143">Hong Kong protesters</a> marched through shopping malls on New Year's Eve urging people not to give up the fight for democracy in 2020, while police were out in force across the city to quell any unrest.

As evening fell, dozens of protesters dropped flowers near the Prince Edward metro station, which was the scene of some of the most violent clashes with the police this summer.

Demonstrators plan a giant human chain later on as well as late-night demonstrations dubbed "Suck the Eve" in the downtown bar and entertainment district of Lan Kwai Fong and the picturesque Victoria Harbour.

Wong, a 22-year-old freelance photographer who gave only his last name, said he did not feel like celebrating New Year.

"I can't even celebrate my birthday. I choose to stand here because at least we can chant a little and it feels like I’m with family," he said.

The protests began in June in response to a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party and have evolved into a broader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-to-end-year-with-multiple-protests-kick-off-2020-with-big-march-271045">pro-democracy movement</a>.

Many streets were decorated with Christmas lights and other seasonal paraphernalia, but the mood on Tuesday was less than festive as officers in riot gear patrolled the busiest areas.

Also Watch:&nbsp;2019 Hong Kong protests to continue in 2020?

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In a prime shopping mall in the Tsim Sha Tsui area popular with tourists, dozens of protesters chanted pro-democracy slogans and riot police stopped people to search their backpacks.

Authorities have cancelled the popular midnight fireworks for the first time in a decade, citing security concerns.

The fireworks usually draw thousands of locals and tourists to the harbour front and the countdown is broadcast worldwide.

They will be replaced with "Symphony of Lights", a multimedia light show involving projections on the city's tallest skyscrapers at the stroke of midnight.

The facade of the waterside Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre was turned into a giant countdown clock.

"Liberate Hong Kong, revolution [sic] of our time is my New Year wish," said 30-year-old Calvin, who attended a central lunchtime rally.

Carrie Lam's resolution&nbsp;

In a New Year's Eve video message, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said more than six months of unrest in the Asian financial hub had caused sadness, anxiety, disappointment and rage.

"Let's start 2020 with a new resolution, to restore order and harmony in society. So we can begin again, together," said Lam in the 3-minute address.

"<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-unrest-police-arrest-15-in-fresh-shopping-mall-protests-270781">Hong Kong people</a> have resolved many difficulties before. With our resilience and wisdom, I believe we can once again overcome our current challenges and rebuild Hong Kong."

Police say they have arrested nearly 6,500 people since the protests began escalating in what is the worst political crisis faced by the city in decades.

On Jan. 1, tens of thousands of people are expected to join a major pro-democracy march, after it received police approval to proceed.

The previous such march by organisers, the Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), in early December, drew an estimated 800,000 people.

The New Year demonstrations follow a pick-up in clashes since Christmas Eve when riot police fired tear gas at thousands of protesters following scuffles in shopping malls and in a prime tourist district.

"On New Year's Day, we need to show our solidarity ... to resist the government. We hope Hong Kong people will come onto the streets for Hong Kong's future," said CHRF leader Jimmy Sham.

Hong Kong protesters marched through shopping malls on New Year's Eve urging people not to give up the fight for democracy in 2020, while police were out in force across the city to quell any unrest.

Hong Kong protesters marched through shopping malls on New Year's Eve urging people not to give up the fight for democracy in 2020, while police were out in force across the city to quell any unrest. As evening fell, dozens of protesters dropped flowers near the Prince Edward metro station, which was the scene of some of the most violent clashes with the police this summer. Demonstrators plan a giant human chain later on as well as late-night demonstrations dubbed "Suck the Eve" in the downtown bar and entertainment district of Lan Kwai Fong and the picturesque Victoria Harbour. Wong, a 22-year-old freelance photographer who gave only his last name, said he did not feel like celebrating New Year. "I can't even celebrate my birthday. I choose to stand here because at least we can chant a little and it feels like I’m with family," he said. The protests began in June in response to a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party and have evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement. Many streets were decorated with Christmas lights and other seasonal paraphernalia, but the mood on Tuesday was less than festive as officers in riot gear patrolled the busiest areas. Also Watch: 2019 Hong Kong protests to continue in 2020? × In a prime shopping mall in the Tsim Sha Tsui area popular with tourists, dozens of protesters chanted pro-democracy slogans and riot police stopped people to search their backpacks. Authorities have cancelled the popular midnight fireworks for the first time in a decade, citing security concerns. The fireworks usually draw thousands of locals and tourists to the harbour front and the countdown is broadcast worldwide. They will be replaced with "Symphony of Lights", a multimedia light show involving projections on the city's tallest skyscrapers at the stroke of midnight. The facade of the waterside Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre was turned into a giant countdown clock. "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution [sic] of our time is my New Year wish," said 30-year-old Calvin, who attended a central lunchtime rally. Carrie Lam's resolution In a New Year's Eve video message, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said more than six months of unrest in the Asian financial hub had caused sadness, anxiety, disappointment and rage. "Let's start 2020 with a new resolution, to restore order and harmony in society. So we can begin again, together," said Lam in the 3-minute address. "Hong Kong people have resolved many difficulties before. With our resilience and wisdom, I believe we can once again overcome our current challenges and rebuild Hong Kong." Police say they have arrested nearly 6,500 people since the protests began escalating in what is the worst political crisis faced by the city in decades. On Jan. 1, tens of thousands of people are expected to join a major pro-democracy march, after it received police approval to proceed. The previous such march by organisers, the Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), in early December, drew an estimated 800,000 people. The New Year demonstrations follow a pick-up in clashes since Christmas Eve when riot police fired tear gas at thousands of protesters following scuffles in shopping malls and in a prime tourist district. "On New Year's Day, we need to show our solidarity ... to resist the government. We hope Hong Kong people will come onto the streets for Hong Kong's future," said CHRF leader Jimmy Sham.

Hong Kong to celebrate New Year with a fresh wave of protests

Yearender 2019: Reliving the year via pictures

Hong Kong will end 2019 with multiple protests planned for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day aimed at disrupting festivities and shopping in the Asian financial hub, which has seen a rise in clashes between police and protesters since Christmas.

Events dubbed "Suck the Eve" and "Shop with you" are scheduled for New Year's Eve on Tuesday around the city, including in the party district of Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong's picturesque Victoria Harbour, and popular shopping malls, according to notices circulated on social media.

A New Year's Day march on January&nbsp;1, has been given police permission and will start from a large park in bustling Causeway Bay and end in the central business district, say its organisers, the Civil Human Rights Front.

Watch: Multiple protests to mark the end of 2019

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The Front previously organised the peaceful million-plus marches in June and held the latest mass march earlier in December, when they said around 800,000 people attended.

"On New Year's Day, we need to show our solidarity... to resist the government. We hope Hong Kong people will come onto the streets for Hong Kong's future," said Jimmy Sham, a leader of the group.

The latest planned protests come after a pick up in clashes since Christmas Eve when riot police fired rounds of tear gas at thousands of protesters, many wearing masks and reindeer antlers, after scuffles in shopping malls and in a prime tourist district.

While the protests - now in their seventh month - have lessened in intensity and size in recent weeks, their frequency has held up, with marches or rallies occurring almost daily in the former British colony.

A rally is planned in the Central business district on Monday night, where protesters will gather to remember those who have died or have been injured during the protests.

More than 2,000 protesters have been injured since June according to the Hospital Authority. While there is no official count of deaths during the protests, student Chow Tsz-lok died after a high fall during a pro-democracy rally in November. Multiple suicides have been linked to the movement.

Police arrested about a dozen protesters over the weekend and used pepper spray to break up a gathering aimed at disrupting retail business near the border with mainland China. More than 6,000 protesters have been arrested since the protests began.

On Sunday more than 1,000 people rallied in the rain in Hong Kong's financial district, chanting slogans for democracy as they huddled under a sea of umbrellas.

Protests have evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement since they erupted in June in response to a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party.

The bill was seen as the latest example of meddling by Beijing in the freedoms that were promised to the special administrative region when Britain returned it China in 1997.

China denies the claims and says it is committed to the "one country, two systems" formula put in place at that time, and blames foreign countries including Britain and the United States for inciting unrest.

The protests have battered Hong Kong's economy, already reeling from the fallout of the U.S.-Sino trade war and slowing economic growth in the mainland.

Paul Chan, the city's financial secretary, said on Sunday that a fall in GDP in the fourth quarter was "unavoidable".

To alleviate the "pain" of the economic downturn, he said the government's budget in February would focus on boosting the economy, protecting unemployment and easing the "plight" of the people and enterprises.

Hong Kong will end 2019 with multiple protests planned for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day aimed at disrupting festivities and shopping in the Asian financial hub, which has seen a rise in clashes between police and protesters since Christmas.

Hong Kong will end 2019 with multiple protests planned for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day aimed at disrupting festivities and shopping in the Asian financial hub, which has seen a rise in clashes between police and protesters since Christmas. Events dubbed "Suck the Eve" and "Shop with you" are scheduled for New Year's Eve on Tuesday around the city, including in the party district of Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong's picturesque Victoria Harbour, and popular shopping malls, according to notices circulated on social media. A New Year's Day march on January 1, has been given police permission and will start from a large park in bustling Causeway Bay and end in the central business district, say its organisers, the Civil Human Rights Front. Watch: Multiple protests to mark the end of 2019 × The Front previously organised the peaceful million-plus marches in June and held the latest mass march earlier in December, when they said around 800,000 people attended. "On New Year's Day, we need to show our solidarity... to resist the government. We hope Hong Kong people will come onto the streets for Hong Kong's future," said Jimmy Sham, a leader of the group. The latest planned protests come after a pick up in clashes since Christmas Eve when riot police fired rounds of tear gas at thousands of protesters, many wearing masks and reindeer antlers, after scuffles in shopping malls and in a prime tourist district. While the protests - now in their seventh month - have lessened in intensity and size in recent weeks, their frequency has held up, with marches or rallies occurring almost daily in the former British colony. A rally is planned in the Central business district on Monday night, where protesters will gather to remember those who have died or have been injured during the protests. More than 2,000 protesters have been injured since June according to the Hospital Authority. While there is no official count of deaths during the protests, student Chow Tsz-lok died after a high fall during a pro-democracy rally in November. Multiple suicides have been linked to the movement. Police arrested about a dozen protesters over the weekend and used pepper spray to break up a gathering aimed at disrupting retail business near the border with mainland China. More than 6,000 protesters have been arrested since the protests began. On Sunday more than 1,000 people rallied in the rain in Hong Kong's financial district, chanting slogans for democracy as they huddled under a sea of umbrellas. Protests have evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement since they erupted in June in response to a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party. The bill was seen as the latest example of meddling by Beijing in the freedoms that were promised to the special administrative region when Britain returned it China in 1997. China denies the claims and says it is committed to the "one country, two systems" formula put in place at that time, and blames foreign countries including Britain and the United States for inciting unrest. The protests have battered Hong Kong's economy, already reeling from the fallout of the U.S.-Sino trade war and slowing economic growth in the mainland. Paul Chan, the city's financial secretary, said on Sunday that a fall in GDP in the fourth quarter was "unavoidable". To alleviate the "pain" of the economic downturn, he said the government's budget in February would focus on boosting the economy, protecting unemployment and easing the "plight" of the people and enterprises.

Hong Kong to end year with multiple protests; kick off 2020 with big march

By Feyzi Ismail

The first two decades of the 21st century saw the return of mass movements to streets around the world. Partly a product of sinking confidence in mainstream politics, mass mobilisation has had a huge impact on both official politics and wider society, and protest has become the form of political expression to which millions of people turn.

2019 has ended with protests on a global scale, most notably in Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa, Hong Kong and across India, which has recently flared up against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Citizenship Amendment Act. In some cases, protests are explicitly against neoliberal reforms, or against legal changes that threaten civil liberties. In others, they are against inaction over the climate crisis, now driven by a generation of young people new to politics in dozens of countries.

As we end a turbulent two decades of protest – the subject of much of my own teaching and ongoing research – what will be the shape of protest in the 2020s?

What’s changed in the 21st century

Following moments of open class warfare in the late 1960s and early 1970s, battles against the political and economic order became fragmented, trade unions were attacked, the legacy of the anti-colonial struggles was eroded and the history of the period was recast by the establishment to undermine its potency. In the post-Cold War era, a new phase of protest finally began to overcome these defeats.

This revival of protest exploded onto the political scene most visibly in Seattle outside the World Trade Organization summit in 1999. If 1968 was one of the high points of radical struggle in the 20th century, protest in the early 2000s once again began to reflect a general critique of the capitalist system, with solidarity forged across different sections of society.

The birth of the anti-globalisation movement in Seattle was followed by extraordinary mobilisations outside gatherings of the global economic elite. Alternative spaces were also created for the global justice movement to connect, most notably the World Social Forums (WSFs), starting with Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2001. It was here that questions over what position the anti-globalisation movement should take over the Iraq War, for example, were discussed and debated. Though the WSFs provided an important rallying point for a time, they ultimately evaded politics.

The global anti-war movement led to the biggest co-ordinated demonstrations in the history of protest on February 15 2003, in which millions of people demonstrated in over 800 cities, creating a crisis of democracy around the US and UK-led intervention in Iraq.

In the years leading up to and following the banking crisis of 2008, food riots and anti-austerity protests escalated around the world. In parts of the Middle East and North Africa, protests achieved insurrectionary proportions, with the overthrow of one dictator after another. After the Arab Spring was thwarted by counter-revolution, the Occupy movement and then Black Lives Matter gained global attention. While the public, urban square became a central focus for protest, social media became an important – but by no means exclusive – organising tool.

To varying degrees, these movements sharply raised the question of political transformation but didn’t find new ways of institutionalising popular power. The result was that in a number of situations, protest movements fell back on widely distrusted parliamentary processes to try and pursue their political aims. The results of this parliamentary turn have not been impressive.

Crisis of representation 
​​​​​​​ 
On the one hand, the first two decades of the 21st century have seen soaring inequality, accompanied by debt and the neglect of working people. On the other, there have been poor results from purely parliamentary attempts to challenge it. There is, in other words, a deep crisis of representation.

The inability of modern capitalism to deliver more than survival for many has combined with a general critique of neoliberal capitalism to create a situation in which wider and wider sections of society are being drawn into protest. More than a million people have poured onto the streets of Lebanon since mid-October and protests continue despite a violent crackdown by security forces.

At the same time, people are less and less willing to accept unrepresentative politicians – and this is likely to continue in the future. From Lebanon and Iraq to Chile and Hong Kong, mass mobilisations continue despite resignations and concessions.

In Britain, the Labour Party’s defeat in the recent general election is attributed largely to its failure to accept the 2016 referendum result over EU membership. Decades of loyalty to the Labour Party for many and a socialist leader in Jeremy Corbyn calling for an end to austerity couldn’t cut through to enough of the millions who voted for Brexit.

In France, a general strike in December 2019 over President Emmanuel Macron’s proposed pension reforms has revealed the extent of opposition that people feel towards his government. This comes barely a year after the start of the Yellow Vest movement, in which people have protested against fuel price hikes and the precariousness of their lives.

The tendency towards street protest will be encouraged too by the climate crisis, whose effects mean that the most heavily exploited, including along race and gender lines, have the most to lose. When the protests in Lebanon broke out, they were taking place alongside rampant wildfires.

Thinking strategically

As protesters gain experience, they consciously bring to the fore questions of leadership and organisation. In Lebanon and Iraq there has already been a conscious effort to overcome traditional sectarian divides. Debates are also raging in protest movements from Algeria to Chile about how to fuse economic and political demands in a more strategic manner. The goal is to make political and economic demands inseparable, such that it’s impossible for a government to make political concessions without making economic ones too.

As the 2020s begin, it’s clear we’re living in an unprecedented moment: a climate emergency and ecological breakdown, a brewing global financial crisis, deepening inequality, trade wars, and growing threats of more imperialist wars and militarisation.

There has also been a resurgence of the far right in many countries, emboldened most visibly by parties and politicians in the US, Brazil, India and many parts of Europe. This resurgence, however, has not gone unchallenged.

The convergence of crisis on these multiple fronts will reach breaking point, creating conditions that will become intolerable for most people. This will galvanise more protest and more polarisation. As governments respond with reforms, such measures on their own will be unlikely to meet the combination of political and economic demands. The question of how to create new vehicles of representation to assert popular control over the economy will keep emerging. The fortunes of popular protest may well depend on whether the collective leadership of the movements can provide answers to it.

(Feyzi Ismail is Senior Teaching Fellow, SOAS, University of London)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the<a href="https://theconversation.com/protest-has-helped-define-the-first-two-decades-of-the-21st-century-heres-whats-next-128745"> original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

By Feyzi Ismail The first two decades of the 21st century saw the return of mass movements to streets around the world. Partly a product of sinking confidence in mainstream politics, mass mobilisation has had a huge impact on both official politics and wider society, and protest has become the form of political expression to which millions of people turn.

By Feyzi Ismail The first two decades of the 21st century saw the return of mass movements to streets around the world. Partly a product of sinking confidence in mainstream politics, mass mobilisation has had a huge impact on both official politics and wider society, and protest has become the form of political expression to which millions of people turn. 2019 has ended with protests on a global scale, most notably in Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa, Hong Kong and across India, which has recently flared up against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Citizenship Amendment Act. In some cases, protests are explicitly against neoliberal reforms, or against legal changes that threaten civil liberties. In others, they are against inaction over the climate crisis, now driven by a generation of young people new to politics in dozens of countries. As we end a turbulent two decades of protest – the subject of much of my own teaching and ongoing research – what will be the shape of protest in the 2020s? What’s changed in the 21st century Following moments of open class warfare in the late 1960s and early 1970s, battles against the political and economic order became fragmented, trade unions were attacked, the legacy of the anti-colonial struggles was eroded and the history of the period was recast by the establishment to undermine its potency. In the post-Cold War era, a new phase of protest finally began to overcome these defeats. This revival of protest exploded onto the political scene most visibly in Seattle outside the World Trade Organization summit in 1999. If 1968 was one of the high points of radical struggle in the 20th century, protest in the early 2000s once again began to reflect a general critique of the capitalist system, with solidarity forged across different sections of society. The birth of the anti-globalisation movement in Seattle was followed by extraordinary mobilisations outside gatherings of the global economic elite. Alternative spaces were also created for the global justice movement to connect, most notably the World Social Forums (WSFs), starting with Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2001. It was here that questions over what position the anti-globalisation movement should take over the Iraq War, for example, were discussed and debated. Though the WSFs provided an important rallying point for a time, they ultimately evaded politics. The global anti-war movement led to the biggest co-ordinated demonstrations in the history of protest on February 15 2003, in which millions of people demonstrated in over 800 cities, creating a crisis of democracy around the US and UK-led intervention in Iraq. In the years leading up to and following the banking crisis of 2008, food riots and anti-austerity protests escalated around the world. In parts of the Middle East and North Africa, protests achieved insurrectionary proportions, with the overthrow of one dictator after another. After the Arab Spring was thwarted by counter-revolution, the Occupy movement and then Black Lives Matter gained global attention. While the public, urban square became a central focus for protest, social media became an important – but by no means exclusive – organising tool. To varying degrees, these movements sharply raised the question of political transformation but didn’t find new ways of institutionalising popular power. The result was that in a number of situations, protest movements fell back on widely distrusted parliamentary processes to try and pursue their political aims. The results of this parliamentary turn have not been impressive. Crisis of representation On the one hand, the first two decades of the 21st century have seen soaring inequality, accompanied by debt and the neglect of working people. On the other, there have been poor results from purely parliamentary attempts to challenge it. There is, in other words, a deep crisis of representation. The inability of modern capitalism to deliver more than survival for many has combined with a general critique of neoliberal capitalism to create a situation in which wider and wider sections of society are being drawn into protest. More than a million people have poured onto the streets of Lebanon since mid-October and protests continue despite a violent crackdown by security forces. At the same time, people are less and less willing to accept unrepresentative politicians – and this is likely to continue in the future. From Lebanon and Iraq to Chile and Hong Kong, mass mobilisations continue despite resignations and concessions. In Britain, the Labour Party’s defeat in the recent general election is attributed largely to its failure to accept the 2016 referendum result over EU membership. Decades of loyalty to the Labour Party for many and a socialist leader in Jeremy Corbyn calling for an end to austerity couldn’t cut through to enough of the millions who voted for Brexit. In France, a general strike in December 2019 over President Emmanuel Macron’s proposed pension reforms has revealed the extent of opposition that people feel towards his government. This comes barely a year after the start of the Yellow Vest movement, in which people have protested against fuel price hikes and the precariousness of their lives. The tendency towards street protest will be encouraged too by the climate crisis, whose effects mean that the most heavily exploited, including along race and gender lines, have the most to lose. When the protests in Lebanon broke out, they were taking place alongside rampant wildfires. Thinking strategically As protesters gain experience, they consciously bring to the fore questions of leadership and organisation. In Lebanon and Iraq there has already been a conscious effort to overcome traditional sectarian divides. Debates are also raging in protest movements from Algeria to Chile about how to fuse economic and political demands in a more strategic manner. The goal is to make political and economic demands inseparable, such that it’s impossible for a government to make political concessions without making economic ones too. As the 2020s begin, it’s clear we’re living in an unprecedented moment: a climate emergency and ecological breakdown, a brewing global financial crisis, deepening inequality, trade wars, and growing threats of more imperialist wars and militarisation. There has also been a resurgence of the far right in many countries, emboldened most visibly by parties and politicians in the US, Brazil, India and many parts of Europe. This resurgence, however, has not gone unchallenged. The convergence of crisis on these multiple fronts will reach breaking point, creating conditions that will become intolerable for most people. This will galvanise more protest and more polarisation. As governments respond with reforms, such measures on their own will be unlikely to meet the combination of political and economic demands. The question of how to create new vehicles of representation to assert popular control over the economy will keep emerging. The fortunes of popular protest may well depend on whether the collective leadership of the movements can provide answers to it. (Feyzi Ismail is Senior Teaching Fellow, SOAS, University of London) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Protests have helped define first two decades of 21st century – here’s what’s next

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WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - December 29, 2019

More than 1,000 people rallied in the rain in a park in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-unrest-police-arrest-15-in-fresh-shopping-mall-protests-270781">Hong Kong</a>'s financial district on Sunday, chanting slogans for democracy as they huddled under a sea of umbrellas.

The crowd, a mix of young and elderly people, wore black and turquoise surgical masks to hide their identities as they listened to organisers speaking on a makeshift stage.

"There may be fewer people. We all know that no matter how many people come out or how many times, the government ignores you," said a 30-year-old woman in black clothing surnamed Wong, who works in the legal sector.

"Hong Kongers will never stop. We see unfairness, injustice. It contradicts our fundamental beliefs," she said.

Also Watch: Hong Kong-&nbsp;Several months of continuous unrest, protest against Chinese traders

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Hong Kong has been convulsed by more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protesters-target-malls-during-christmas-in-hong-kong-270245">six months of protests</a>, triggered by a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party.

The demonstrations have since evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement and have again became more confrontational over recent days with police clashing with protesters at several shopping malls and busy tourist areas.

On Saturday, riot police arrested about a dozen protesters and used pepper spray to break up a gathering aimed at disrupting retail business near the border with mainland China.

More protests are planned in the next few days, including a countdown to New Year's Day and a march on Jan. 1 that could attract a big crowd.

Protesters are angry about what they see as increased meddling by Beijing in freedoms promised to the former British colony when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.&nbsp;

China denies interfering, saying it is committed to the "one country, two systems" formula put in place at that time, and blames foreign forces for fomenting unrest.&nbsp;

A 20-year old university student who gave his name as Malcolm said it was becoming harder to remain optimistic about the prospect of change.

"More realistic people know there's no way for us to win but now is not the time for us to be pessimistic," he said, adding that he would continue to push for full democracy for Hong Kong.

More than 1,000 people rallied in the rain in a park in Hong Kong's financial district on Sunday, chanting slogans for democracy as they huddled under a sea of umbrellas.

More than 1,000 people rallied in the rain in a park in Hong Kong's financial district on Sunday, chanting slogans for democracy as they huddled under a sea of umbrellas. The crowd, a mix of young and elderly people, wore black and turquoise surgical masks to hide their identities as they listened to organisers speaking on a makeshift stage. "There may be fewer people. We all know that no matter how many people come out or how many times, the government ignores you," said a 30-year-old woman in black clothing surnamed Wong, who works in the legal sector. "Hong Kongers will never stop. We see unfairness, injustice. It contradicts our fundamental beliefs," she said. Also Watch: Hong Kong- Several months of continuous unrest, protest against Chinese traders × Hong Kong has been convulsed by more than six months of protests, triggered by a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party. The demonstrations have since evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement and have again became more confrontational over recent days with police clashing with protesters at several shopping malls and busy tourist areas. On Saturday, riot police arrested about a dozen protesters and used pepper spray to break up a gathering aimed at disrupting retail business near the border with mainland China. More protests are planned in the next few days, including a countdown to New Year's Day and a march on Jan. 1 that could attract a big crowd. Protesters are angry about what they see as increased meddling by Beijing in freedoms promised to the former British colony when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997. China denies interfering, saying it is committed to the "one country, two systems" formula put in place at that time, and blames foreign forces for fomenting unrest. A 20-year old university student who gave his name as Malcolm said it was becoming harder to remain optimistic about the prospect of change. "More realistic people know there's no way for us to win but now is not the time for us to be pessimistic," he said, adding that he would continue to push for full democracy for Hong Kong.

More than 1,000 gather for rain-soaked Hong Kong rally

Citing a letter from a young Hong Konger appealing for people "not to believe the Communists", Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Sunday the island's democratic way of life was at risk from the danger China posed to Taiwan.

The months of anti-government protests in Chinese-ruled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-unrest-police-arrest-15-in-fresh-shopping-mall-protests-270781">Hong Kong</a> have taken centre stage in Taiwan ahead of the January&nbsp;11 presidential and parliamentary elections, with Tsai in particular warning Taiwan would be next if it gives into Chinese pressure and accepts Beijing's rule.

Speaking at a televised presidential debate, Tsai read excerpts from a letter she said she received from a young person in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-paid-17-million-in-allowances-related-to-protests-270751">Hong Kong</a>. She did not name the person nor say when the letter was written.

Tsai read from the letter: "'I ask that Taiwan's people not believe the Chinese Communists, don't believe any pro-Communist official, and don't fall into China's money trap.'"

Taiwan's people have been through their own traumas under martial law before adopting democracy and are now seeing "the end of Hong Kong", Tsai quoted the letter as saying.

Tsai said she wanted to read the letter to remind people of the significance of their vote next month.

"On Jan. 11, the vote in our hands can decide whether our democratic way of life of today can continue. The whole world is watching what Taiwan will do on Jan. 11."

China claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be taken under its control by force if needed. Taiwan says it is an independent country called the Republic of China, its formal name.

China says it will run Taiwan under the "one country, two systems" model - the same as used in Hong Kong - granting it a high degree of autonomy.

Tsai and her main opponent Han Kuo-yu from the Kuomintang, which favours close relations with China, have both rejected this model, though Tsai has repeatedly portrayed Han as supporting it.

Han said Tsai was "deceiving" the people of Hong Kong by using their struggle to try and win votes.

"They are bleeding from fighting against China, while you are enjoying electoral gains. Your campaign is based on the blood of Hong Kong people. You are exploiting the values they uphold," he said, citing remarks from a Hong Kong student leader who later apologised for his criticism.

Han also reiterated what has become a frequent complaint, that senior members of Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party and Tsai herself had previously been to China, accusing them of hypocrisy for denouncing a trip he made earlier this year.

"And you slam me for accepting 'one country, two systems' - this is really too much," Han said.

Citing a letter from a young Hong Konger appealing for people "not to believe the Communists", Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Sunday the island's democratic way of life was at risk from the danger China posed to Taiwan.

Citing a letter from a young Hong Konger appealing for people "not to believe the Communists", Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Sunday the island's democratic way of life was at risk from the danger China posed to Taiwan. The months of anti-government protests in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong have taken centre stage in Taiwan ahead of the January 11 presidential and parliamentary elections, with Tsai in particular warning Taiwan would be next if it gives into Chinese pressure and accepts Beijing's rule. Speaking at a televised presidential debate, Tsai read excerpts from a letter she said she received from a young person in Hong Kong. She did not name the person nor say when the letter was written. Tsai read from the letter: "'I ask that Taiwan's people not believe the Chinese Communists, don't believe any pro-Communist official, and don't fall into China's money trap.'" Taiwan's people have been through their own traumas under martial law before adopting democracy and are now seeing "the end of Hong Kong", Tsai quoted the letter as saying. Tsai said she wanted to read the letter to remind people of the significance of their vote next month. "On Jan. 11, the vote in our hands can decide whether our democratic way of life of today can continue. The whole world is watching what Taiwan will do on Jan. 11." China claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be taken under its control by force if needed. Taiwan says it is an independent country called the Republic of China, its formal name. China says it will run Taiwan under the "one country, two systems" model - the same as used in Hong Kong - granting it a high degree of autonomy. Tsai and her main opponent Han Kuo-yu from the Kuomintang, which favours close relations with China, have both rejected this model, though Tsai has repeatedly portrayed Han as supporting it. Han said Tsai was "deceiving" the people of Hong Kong by using their struggle to try and win votes. "They are bleeding from fighting against China, while you are enjoying electoral gains. Your campaign is based on the blood of Hong Kong people. You are exploiting the values they uphold," he said, citing remarks from a Hong Kong student leader who later apologised for his criticism. Han also reiterated what has become a frequent complaint, that senior members of Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party and Tsai herself had previously been to China, accusing them of hypocrisy for denouncing a trip he made earlier this year. "And you slam me for accepting 'one country, two systems' - this is really too much," Han said.

'Don't believe the Communists': Taiwan president channels Hong Kong protests in appeal for votes

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