The Lunar New Year holiday is the most important on the Chinese calendar and falls on Saturday this year

New Year Celebrations In Hong Kong

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Hong Kong on Saturday declared <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-death-toll-rises-to-41-more-than-1000-infected-worldwide-276465">Coronvirus outbreak</a> as an "emergency" in the city as the mystery virus killed 41 in China.

"Today I declare the lifting of the response level to emergency," chief executive Carrie Lam told reporters after holding urgent meetings with health officials.

Under the measures Lam took to limit the infection spreading, all schools will remain closed until February 17;&nbsp;while all official visits to mainland China have also been cancelled.

At a press conference, Lam said all flights and trains from Wuhan which has become an epicentre of the disease, would be cancelled until further notice.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-confirms-second-case-of-coronavirus-at-least-50-under-investigation-276437">Also read |&nbsp;US confirms second case of coronavirus, at least 50 under investigation</a>

There were no restrictions on transport from other Chinese cities, but all mainland arrivals will now need to sign a health declaration form.&nbsp;

A string of public events, including a new year gala and next month's marathon, would also be called off.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wuhan-coronavirus-dos-and-donts-symptoms-276479">Also read | Wuhan coronavirus: Dos and don'ts, symptoms&nbsp;</a>

Lam also said she had sought the assistance from China's State Council to ensure mask supplies were adequate.

The city's health authorities have confirmed 5 coronavirus cases, all linked to Wuhan, where the virus first appeared, with a further 122 people being treated as suspected of having the disease.

Meanwhile, in China, authorities on Saturday confirmed that 41 people have died due to deadly coronavirus even as more than 1,3000 people have been infected across the world.&nbsp;

In the Hubei province, 180 new cases were reported on Friday taking the total number of cases to 752.

China has also imposed travel restrictions and screening of residents in the affected areas. In Shanghai, all cinema halls have been shut down despite it being peak holiday season in the country.

The virus has spread to other parts of the world as well as&nbsp;Europe&nbsp;reported its first cases of coronavirus with two cases in France who had travelled to China testing positive on Friday.

The United States, two cases were confirmed, in Washington and Chicago respectively.

&nbsp;

Hong Kong on Saturday declared Coronvirus outbreak as an "emergency" in the city as the mystery virus killed 41 in China. "Today I declare the lifting of the response level to emergency," chief executive Carrie Lam told reporters after holding urgent meetings with health officials.

Hong Kong on Saturday declared Coronvirus outbreak as an "emergency" in the city as the mystery virus killed 41 in China. "Today I declare the lifting of the response level to emergency," chief executive Carrie Lam told reporters after holding urgent meetings with health officials. Under the measures Lam took to limit the infection spreading, all schools will remain closed until February 17; while all official visits to mainland China have also been cancelled. At a press conference, Lam said all flights and trains from Wuhan which has become an epicentre of the disease, would be cancelled until further notice. Also read | US confirms second case of coronavirus, at least 50 under investigation There were no restrictions on transport from other Chinese cities, but all mainland arrivals will now need to sign a health declaration form. A string of public events, including a new year gala and next month's marathon, would also be called off. Also read | Wuhan coronavirus: Dos and don'ts, symptoms Lam also said she had sought the assistance from China's State Council to ensure mask supplies were adequate. The city's health authorities have confirmed 5 coronavirus cases, all linked to Wuhan, where the virus first appeared, with a further 122 people being treated as suspected of having the disease. Meanwhile, in China, authorities on Saturday confirmed that 41 people have died due to deadly coronavirus even as more than 1,3000 people have been infected across the world. In the Hubei province, 180 new cases were reported on Friday taking the total number of cases to 752. China has also imposed travel restrictions and screening of residents in the affected areas. In Shanghai, all cinema halls have been shut down despite it being peak holiday season in the country. The virus has spread to other parts of the world as well as Europe reported its first cases of coronavirus with two cases in France who had travelled to China testing positive on Friday. The United States, two cases were confirmed, in Washington and Chicago respectively.

Coronavirus outbreak: Hong Kong declares virus emergency as 41 die in China

The emergence of a SARS-like virus in China is the last thing Hong Kong's struggling economy needs, analysts say, as the city reels from the twin storms of the global trade war and months of political unrest.

The emergence of a SARS-like virus in China is the last thing Hong Kong's struggling economy needs, analysts say, as the city reels from the twin storms of the global trade war and months of political unrest. The semi-autonomous financial hub is currently on high alert for any appearance of the new coronavirus, which first surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan and has since spread to the United States and around Asia. In 2003, nearly 300 people were killed in Hong Kong during an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which also began on the mainland and hammered the city's economy as tourists arrivals plunged. "We are on extremely high alert and preparing for the worst," chief secretary Matthew Cheung told reporters on Tuesday. "We have not lowered our guard." The timing could hardly be worse. Hong Kong has been tipped into a recession by the US-China trade war and months of seething pro-democracy protests that have upended its reputation for stability. On Monday, Moody's downgraded Hong Kong's credit rating, saying the government had failed to respond to the economic and political demands of protesters and that China's increased influence was undermining the city's once-vaunted institutions. A disease outbreak in the densely packed city would only add to current economic woes. "This is definitely the last thing Hong Kong people want to see," said Jackson Wong, an asset management director at Amber Hill Capital Ltd. "The current situation will definitely remind investors about what we suffered in 2003 during the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong," he added. Also Read: China confirms person-to-person spread of the new virus as fourth death reported [ Citizens protect themselves with face masks (Courtesy: Reuters) ] 'Salt in the wounds' Hong Kong's stock market sank on Tuesday - with tourism-linked stocks leading the losses - after a top Chinese scientist said the Wuhan virus has now been found to pass between humans. The brewing crisis comes days before the Lunar New Year holiday, which sees hundreds of millions of people travel across China and overseas. The number of mainland Chinese travelling to Hong Kong has dropped dramatically since the anti-government protests began last summer, and there are fears the Wuhan virus will only make things worse for the battered tourism industry. "Hotel, catering and tourism have borne the brunt of the recession and now this situation is like rubbing salt into the wounds," Dickie Wong, executive director of research at Kingston Securities stated. "It will deal a heavy blow to the city's economic atmosphere. The impact of the political unrest sparked by the extradition bill (protests) has not yet ended." Hong Kong's health authorities are taking few chances in a bid to stave off a repeat of the SARS epidemic. Monitoring for people with fevers has been ramped up at the airport and local hospitals to include anyone coming from Hubei province, not just the capital city of Wuhan. More than 100 people who have come back from the region and reported flu-like symptoms have been isolated and treated, although none have yet tested positive for the new strain. - More prepared than SARS - But the spread of confirmed cases in multiple Chinese cities, including neighbouring Shenzhen, has put Hong Kong on edge with face masks rapidly selling out. Isolation wards and doctors are on standby. The SARS outbreak dramatically transformed Hong Kong into a place where the population is now far more conscious of contagion and hygiene standards. Door handles and lift buttons in the city's myriad skyscrapers are routinely sterilised multiple times a day, while an unguarded sneeze on the crowded subway can cause neighbouring commuters to scramble for distance. Surgical face masks are ubiquitous, not just in the winter flu season. Hong Kong's difficulties in battling SARS were compounded by the veil of secrecy that surrounded the outbreak on the authoritarian mainland. But specialists who are prepping the city for any new outbreak say they have been encouraged by the transparency Chinese authorities have shown following the Wuhan outbreak. "The timescale of recognising, characterising, releasing and reporting information is a vast improvement from the time of SARS," Gabriel Leung, Dean of the University of Hong Kong's medical school told reporters on Tuesday. "What did take months during the time of SARS is now compressed into a matter of weeks or days," he added.

Wuhan virus compounds Hong Kong's economic woes

January 20 in history: First African-American sworn-in as US President, Hong Kong ceded to Great Britain, and lots more!

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's reputation as a global business hub was dealt a fresh blow Monday after Moody's downgraded a key rating, blaming a lack of government response to months of popular protests and China's increased influence over the city's institutions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-officers-were-beaten-by-protesters-in-rally-275261">Also Read:&nbsp;Protesters rally, thrash police officers in Hong Kong</a>

The rating downgrade is a major blow to Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam, who has struggled to end more than seven months of huge and often violent pro-democracy protests.

It also reflects growing concern within the business community that the institutional features that give Hong Kong more political and economic autonomy are weakening under pressure from the authoritarian mainland.

In a statement explaining its decision to downgrade the long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings one notch to Aa3, Moody's delivered a blunt assessment of the government's response to the protests.

"The absence of tangible plans to address either the political or economic and social concerns of the Hong Kong population that have come to the fore in the past nine months may reflect weaker inherent institutional capacity than Moody's had previously assessed," the New York-based credit rating agency said.

It described the government's response to demands for greater political freedoms -- and sky-high living costs -- as "notably slow, tentative and inconclusive".

"It may also point to more significant constraints on the autonomy of Hong Kong's institutions than previously thought," the agency added, in a nod to pressure from Beijing.

Months of political unrest has upended Hong Kong's reputation for stability while the protests present the most severe challenge to Beijing's rule since the former British colony's 1997 handover to China.

Millions of pro-democracy supporters have taken to Hong Kong's streets with clashes between hardcore protesters and police frequently breaking out.

Combined with the fallout of the US-China trade war, the protests have slammed the tourist and retail sectors and helped tip Hong Kong into a recession.

The protests were initially sparked by a proposed law allowing extraditions to the authoritarian mainland where the opaque judicial system answers to the Communist Party.

Opponents saw it as the latest move by Beijing to chip away at the city's unique freedoms, such as its independent judicial system.

But as Beijing and Lam dug in, the movement morphed into a broader campaign calling for democratic reforms and police accountability.

The extradition law was eventually abandoned, but Beijing has refused further concessions and thrown its full support behind Lam.

Among the key demands of the movement are an inquiry into the police, an amnesty for the thousands arrested and fully free elections.

Moody's decision comes four months after Fitch downgraded the city's sovereign rating, citing ongoing protests and uncertainty caused by closer integration with the Chinese mainland.

It was the first time the agency had downgraded Hong Kong since 1995 when fears about the city's future following its handover to China were at their peak.

Moody's changed Hong Kong's outlook from stable to negative in September after Fitch's move but did not follow suit on a ratings downgrade.

It the statement announcing Monday's downgrade, Moody's moved Hong Kong's outlook back to stable, noting the city's large fiscal reserves, minimal debt burden and ample foreign exchange reserves.

But it warned "closer institutional integration between Hong Kong and China" could contribute to further downgrades in the future.

Hong Kong's reputation as a global business hub was dealt a fresh blow Monday after Moody's downgraded a key rating, blaming a lack of government response to months of popular protests and China's increased influence over the city's institutions.

Hong Kong's reputation as a global business hub was dealt a fresh blow Monday after Moody's downgraded a key rating, blaming a lack of government response to months of popular protests and China's increased influence over the city's institutions. Also Read: Protesters rally, thrash police officers in Hong Kong The rating downgrade is a major blow to Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam, who has struggled to end more than seven months of huge and often violent pro-democracy protests. It also reflects growing concern within the business community that the institutional features that give Hong Kong more political and economic autonomy are weakening under pressure from the authoritarian mainland. In a statement explaining its decision to downgrade the long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings one notch to Aa3, Moody's delivered a blunt assessment of the government's response to the protests. "The absence of tangible plans to address either the political or economic and social concerns of the Hong Kong population that have come to the fore in the past nine months may reflect weaker inherent institutional capacity than Moody's had previously assessed," the New York-based credit rating agency said. It described the government's response to demands for greater political freedoms -- and sky-high living costs -- as "notably slow, tentative and inconclusive". "It may also point to more significant constraints on the autonomy of Hong Kong's institutions than previously thought," the agency added, in a nod to pressure from Beijing. Months of political unrest has upended Hong Kong's reputation for stability while the protests present the most severe challenge to Beijing's rule since the former British colony's 1997 handover to China. Millions of pro-democracy supporters have taken to Hong Kong's streets with clashes between hardcore protesters and police frequently breaking out. Combined with the fallout of the US-China trade war, the protests have slammed the tourist and retail sectors and helped tip Hong Kong into a recession. The protests were initially sparked by a proposed law allowing extraditions to the authoritarian mainland where the opaque judicial system answers to the Communist Party. Opponents saw it as the latest move by Beijing to chip away at the city's unique freedoms, such as its independent judicial system. But as Beijing and Lam dug in, the movement morphed into a broader campaign calling for democratic reforms and police accountability. The extradition law was eventually abandoned, but Beijing has refused further concessions and thrown its full support behind Lam. Among the key demands of the movement are an inquiry into the police, an amnesty for the thousands arrested and fully free elections. Moody's decision comes four months after Fitch downgraded the city's sovereign rating, citing ongoing protests and uncertainty caused by closer integration with the Chinese mainland. It was the first time the agency had downgraded Hong Kong since 1995 when fears about the city's future following its handover to China were at their peak. Moody's changed Hong Kong's outlook from stable to negative in September after Fitch's move but did not follow suit on a ratings downgrade. It the statement announcing Monday's downgrade, Moody's moved Hong Kong's outlook back to stable, noting the city's large fiscal reserves, minimal debt burden and ample foreign exchange reserves. But it warned "closer institutional integration between Hong Kong and China" could contribute to further downgrades in the future.

'No tangible plans': Moody's downgrades protest-hit Hong Kong

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

Police made several arrests on Sunday in Hong Kong's Chater Garden after thousands of people called for democratic reforms and allegedly spoke out against police brutality.

Several arrested in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong

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

Police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of anti-government protesters who gathered in a central Hong Kong Park on Sunday but later spread on the streets, briefly on the streets and spray-painting buildings.

Police fires tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters in Central Hong Kong

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

Hong Kong's strengths as a global financial hub have not been undermined by months of pro-democracy protests, the Chinese-ruled city's chief executive, Carrie Lam, said on Monday.

Protests in Hong Kong escalated in June over a now-withdrawn bill which would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party. They have since broadened to include demands such as universal suffrage.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protesters-fete-landslide-election-win-for-taiwans-tsai-ing-wen-273784">Also read: Hong Kong protesters fete landslide election win for Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen</a>

Speaking at the opening of a regional financial forum, Lam said the city's financial system remained stable thanks to lessons learnt since the Asian financial crisis. Lam cited the listing of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd as a boon for other listings by mainland companies.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-hong-kong-kicks-off-2020-fresh-protests-271450/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The city's "strengths and resilience, just like our financial systems, have not been undermined despite (the fact) that we experienced considerable social unrest and challenges," Lam said.

She added she was confident the city will bridge divisions, and realise its goals of a reunited community and "flourishing" economy.

Many protests involved violent clashes between protesters and the police on central streets lined by the city's tallest towers hosting top finance companies.

Some financial firms have been caught in the middle, with branches of mainland banks repeatedly vandalised as protesters vented their anger at what they perceive as Beijing meddling in the city's affairs, an accusation denied by Beijing which blames the West for fomenting unrest.

HSBC has also 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. HSBC strongly denies any connection.

Hurt by a tariff war between Washington and Beijing, and with protests hurting tourism and retail sales, Hong Kong's economy has fallen into recession and relies on its finance industry to prevent a deeper downturn.

Hong Kong's strengths as a global financial hub have not been undermined by months of pro-democracy protests, the Chinese-ruled city's chief executive, Carrie Lam, said on Monday.

Hong Kong's strengths as a global financial hub have not been undermined by months of pro-democracy protests, the Chinese-ruled city's chief executive, Carrie Lam, said on Monday. Protests in Hong Kong escalated in June over a now-withdrawn bill which would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party. They have since broadened to include demands such as universal suffrage. Also read: Hong Kong protesters fete landslide election win for Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen Speaking at the opening of a regional financial forum, Lam said the city's financial system remained stable thanks to lessons learnt since the Asian financial crisis. Lam cited the listing of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd as a boon for other listings by mainland companies. The city's "strengths and resilience, just like our financial systems, have not been undermined despite (the fact) that we experienced considerable social unrest and challenges," Lam said. She added she was confident the city will bridge divisions, and realise its goals of a reunited community and "flourishing" economy. Many protests involved violent clashes between protesters and the police on central streets lined by the city's tallest towers hosting top finance companies. Some financial firms have been caught in the middle, with branches of mainland banks repeatedly vandalised as protesters vented their anger at what they perceive as Beijing meddling in the city's affairs, an accusation denied by Beijing which blames the West for fomenting unrest. HSBC has also 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. HSBC strongly denies any connection. Hurt by a tariff war between Washington and Beijing, and with protests hurting tourism and retail sales, Hong Kong's economy has fallen into recession and relies on its finance industry to prevent a deeper downturn.

Hong Kong's strengths as global financial hub intact despite protests: Carrie Lam

A study conducted by The Lancet indicates that the mental health of the citizens of Hong Kong has been adversely affected by the present turmoil in the country.

Hong Kong has been reeling in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-university-protest-fizzling-out-as-over-1000-arrested-by-authorities-263246">clashes</a> between the law enforcement agencies and the protestors for over seven months since&nbsp;June last year.

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NEW—The ongoing social unrest in Hong Kong may be affecting the mental health of the general adult population—potentially leading to substantial increases in demand for mental and psychosocial support services: finding from a 10-year observational study <a href="https://t.co/mpZ1TAM772">https://t.co/mpZ1TAM772</a> <a href="https://t.co/tdqXtOquts">pic.twitter.com/tdqXtOquts</a>
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The head injuries suffered by the civilian population from batons and rubber bullets along with the population's exposure to tear gas, toxic by-products of petrol bombs and burned tyres and irritants in water cannons have become&nbsp;a cause of concern for the doctors, according to the Lancet study.

It has&nbsp;most likely caused damage to the mental health of the people of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/east-asia/police-shoot-hong-kong-protester-in-chest-during-clashes-253085">Hong Kong</a>, the study found.

The population-based prospective and the most extensive research was conducted on adult participants aged 18 years or older who were assessed at nine different time points from 2009.

Probable depression and suspected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to direct exposure to traumatic events because of the ongoing social unrest were assessed in the study.

Probable depression was estimated at 11&nbsp;per cent of the participants in 2019, compared with 1.9 per cent from 2009 to 2014.&nbsp;

This is five-times increase&nbsp;in comparison to the social unrest in 2017 during which it was 6.5 per cent.

Prevalence of suspected PTSD in 2019 was estimated to be 12.8 per cent and almost 32 per cent in Sept-Nov&nbsp;last year&nbsp;alone.

This is approximately six times higher in comparison to 5 per cent&nbsp;briefly after the "Occupy&nbsp;Central" movement in March 2015.&nbsp;

One in out of every five Hong Kong resident surveyed last year&nbsp;reported probable "major depression"&nbsp;or "suspected PTSD" which is nearly one-third of the citizens of the country who have reported the symptoms of Post-traumatic disorder, according to the report.

A study conducted by The Lancet indicates that the mental health of the citizens of Hong Kong has been adversely affected by the present turmoil in the country. Hong Kong has been reeling in clashes between the law enforcement agencies and the protestors for over seven months since June last year.

A study conducted by The Lancet indicates that the mental health of the citizens of Hong Kong has been adversely affected by the present turmoil in the country. Hong Kong has been reeling in clashes between the law enforcement agencies and the protestors for over seven months since June last year. NEW—The ongoing social unrest in Hong Kong may be affecting the mental health of the general adult population—potentially leading to substantial increases in demand for mental and psychosocial support services: finding from a 10-year observational study https://t.co/mpZ1TAM772 pic.twitter.com/tdqXtOquts — The Lancet (@TheLancet) January 9, 2020 × The head injuries suffered by the civilian population from batons and rubber bullets along with the population's exposure to tear gas, toxic by-products of petrol bombs and burned tyres and irritants in water cannons have become a cause of concern for the doctors, according to the Lancet study. It has most likely caused damage to the mental health of the people of Hong Kong, the study found. The population-based prospective and the most extensive research was conducted on adult participants aged 18 years or older who were assessed at nine different time points from 2009. Probable depression and suspected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to direct exposure to traumatic events because of the ongoing social unrest were assessed in the study. Probable depression was estimated at 11 per cent of the participants in 2019, compared with 1.9 per cent from 2009 to 2014. This is five-times increase in comparison to the social unrest in 2017 during which it was 6.5 per cent. Prevalence of suspected PTSD in 2019 was estimated to be 12.8 per cent and almost 32 per cent in Sept-Nov last year alone. This is approximately six times higher in comparison to 5 per cent briefly after the "Occupy Central" movement in March 2015. One in out of every five Hong Kong resident surveyed last year reported probable "major depression" or "suspected PTSD" which is nearly one-third of the citizens of the country who have reported the symptoms of Post-traumatic disorder, according to the report.

After violence, one-third of Hong Kong citizens reported PTSD symptoms: Lancet study

The "depth of the devastation" inflicted on Hong Kong's economy by more than six months of anti-government protests will be seen in the coming weeks, the chief executive of the city's stock exchange operator said on Thursday.

Charles Li, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd's (HKEX) CEO, also told a Reuters Breakingviews event that what made Hong Kong great was "one country, two systems" - the framework under which the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

"I think locally listed companies with local exposure are going to take a very big hit. They already are taking a big hit. That's going to continue," Li said.

HKEX posted an 8% drop in profit in the third quarter, its steepest slide in nearly three years, as investor sentiment was hit by months of political unrest that pushed the Asian financial hub into recession for the first time in a decade.

Hong Kong-based companies, mainly from the retail and tourism sectors, are expected to show the scars of the sometimes violent protests that forced businesses to shut and scared away visitors over the next few weeks when they report their annual results.

The anti-government protests in Chinese-controlled Hong Kong have evolved over the months into a broad pro-democracy campaign, with demands for universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into complaints of police brutality.

Many people in Hong Kong are angered by what they see as Beijing's ever-tightening grip on the city that was promised a high degree of autonomy under the "one country, two systems" formula.

Beijing denies interference and blames the West for fomenting the unrest.

HKEX earnings for the full year are, however, expected to be bolstered by a pick-up in share sales in the fourth quarter with e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd raising almost $13 billion from its secondary listing in Hong Kong.

Read:&nbsp;China halts listings between Shanghai, London due to tensions

The Hong Kong exchange launched a surprise $39 billion approaches for the London Stock Exchange Group in September but withdrew it after failing to convince LSE management and investors to back the move.

When asked about potential acquisitions, Li on Thursday said all options were on the table.

The "depth of the devastation" inflicted on Hong Kong's economy by more than six months of anti-government protests will be seen in the coming weeks, the chief executive of the city's stock exchange operator said on Thursday.

The "depth of the devastation" inflicted on Hong Kong's economy by more than six months of anti-government protests will be seen in the coming weeks, the chief executive of the city's stock exchange operator said on Thursday. Charles Li, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd's (HKEX) CEO, also told a Reuters Breakingviews event that what made Hong Kong great was "one country, two systems" - the framework under which the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. "I think locally listed companies with local exposure are going to take a very big hit. They already are taking a big hit. That's going to continue," Li said. HKEX posted an 8% drop in profit in the third quarter, its steepest slide in nearly three years, as investor sentiment was hit by months of political unrest that pushed the Asian financial hub into recession for the first time in a decade. Hong Kong-based companies, mainly from the retail and tourism sectors, are expected to show the scars of the sometimes violent protests that forced businesses to shut and scared away visitors over the next few weeks when they report their annual results. The anti-government protests in Chinese-controlled Hong Kong have evolved over the months into a broad pro-democracy campaign, with demands for universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into complaints of police brutality. Many people in Hong Kong are angered by what they see as Beijing's ever-tightening grip on the city that was promised a high degree of autonomy under the "one country, two systems" formula. Beijing denies interference and blames the West for fomenting the unrest. HKEX earnings for the full year are, however, expected to be bolstered by a pick-up in share sales in the fourth quarter with e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd raising almost $13 billion from its secondary listing in Hong Kong. Read: China halts listings between Shanghai, London due to tensions The Hong Kong exchange launched a surprise $39 billion approaches for the London Stock Exchange Group in September but withdrew it after failing to convince LSE management and investors to back the move. When asked about potential acquisitions, Li on Thursday said all options were on the table.

Hong Kong exchange chief says economic 'devastation' from unrest will soon be apparent

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwans-top-military-commander-killed-in-helicopter-crash-271568">Taiwan</a> votes on Saturday in an election overshadowed by renewed Chinese efforts to get the island to accept their rule, and as Taiwan nervously watches Hong Kong protests, worried they may be next if China ever succeeds in bringing them under its control.

Taiwan has been a democratic success story since holding its first direct presidential election in 1996, the culmination of decades of struggle against authoritarian rule and martial law under the Kuomintang, which ruled China until forced to flee to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with the Communists.

President Tsai Ing-wen of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party is seeking a second term and is being challenged by the Kuomintang's Han Kuo-yu, who favours close ties with Beijing and says this is the only way to ensure Taiwan's security and prosperity.

The issue of China has taken front and centre in the campaign, especially after President Xi Jinping warned last year they could attack Taiwan, though said he'd prefer a peaceful "one country, two systems" formula to get control of the island.

Both Tsai and Han have rejected "one country, two systems", though the DPP has painted a vote for the Kuomintang as effectively a vote for that model. Han has angrily denied this.

On Monday, Tsai's team released a slick new campaign video comparing Taiwan's freedoms with the struggle in Hong Kong, interspersed with images of Xi and Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam.

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"A few hundred miles from here, many young people are using their blood and tears to defend freedom," Tsai wrote on Facebook in introducing the video.

The idea of imposing a "one country, two systems" model of a high degree of autonomy much like China offers the former British colony of Hong Kong has never been popular in Taiwan.

It is even less so now after months of anti-government protests in the former British colony. The protesters have widespread public sympathy in Taiwan, and both the DPP and Kuomintang have pledged to help those who flee to the island.

Han has complained of "dirty tricks" being used to smear him as a puppet for China, especially revelations in Australian media from a self-proclaimed Chinese spy who claimed China has supported Han. Han strongly rejects this.

"I beseech Taiwan's people, in the 2020 presidential and parliamentary election, open your eyes. I hope Taiwan's people see these wicked smears to paint me black, red and yellow and make a rational decision," Han said on Tuesday.

Scaring Taiwan

In the run-up to the election, China has repeated its "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-leader-rejects-chinas-offer-to-unify-under-hong-kong-model-271327">one country, two systems</a>" offer to Taiwan.

Liu Jieyi, the urbane head of China's policy-making Taiwan Affairs Office, wrote in the Communist Party's official People's Daily last week that people in Taiwan were "positively exploring" this model, though offered no evidence.

But one Chinese official, who meets regularly with senior members of the People's Liberation Army, told Reuters that the Hong Kong protests had "increased the difficulty of getting Taiwan back".

"What's happening there is scaring Taiwan," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, referring to conversations with military officers.

While China has denied seeking to interfere in Taiwan's elections, Taiwan's parliament on the final day of last year passed a new anti-infiltration law designed to stop Chinese influence on Taiwan's democracy.

China's military is not idly sitting on the sidelines.

Its newest aircraft carrier, the Shandong, has twice sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait in the past two months, most recently in late December.

The United States, Taiwan's main arms supplier and strongest international backer even in the absence of official diplomatic ties has said it is concerned at Chinese efforts to sway the election.

Zhou Bo, director of the Centre for Security Cooperation of the Office for International Military Cooperation at China's Defence Ministry, said China "of course" wanted to resolve the "Taiwan issue" peacefully.

But China could not sit by while Taiwan continued attempts to distance itself from China, and the United States should heed that warning, he said.

"I don't know whether the United States is prepared to pay the price militarily for Taiwan."

Taiwan votes on Saturday in an election overshadowed by renewed Chinese efforts to get the island to accept their rule, and as Taiwan nervously watches Hong Kong protests, worried they may be next if China ever succeeds in bringing them under its control.

Taiwan votes on Saturday in an election overshadowed by renewed Chinese efforts to get the island to accept their rule, and as Taiwan nervously watches Hong Kong protests, worried they may be next if China ever succeeds in bringing them under its control. Taiwan has been a democratic success story since holding its first direct presidential election in 1996, the culmination of decades of struggle against authoritarian rule and martial law under the Kuomintang, which ruled China until forced to flee to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with the Communists. President Tsai Ing-wen of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party is seeking a second term and is being challenged by the Kuomintang's Han Kuo-yu, who favours close ties with Beijing and says this is the only way to ensure Taiwan's security and prosperity. The issue of China has taken front and centre in the campaign, especially after President Xi Jinping warned last year they could attack Taiwan, though said he'd prefer a peaceful "one country, two systems" formula to get control of the island. Both Tsai and Han have rejected "one country, two systems", though the DPP has painted a vote for the Kuomintang as effectively a vote for that model. Han has angrily denied this. On Monday, Tsai's team released a slick new campaign video comparing Taiwan's freedoms with the struggle in Hong Kong, interspersed with images of Xi and Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam. × "A few hundred miles from here, many young people are using their blood and tears to defend freedom," Tsai wrote on Facebook in introducing the video. The idea of imposing a "one country, two systems" model of a high degree of autonomy much like China offers the former British colony of Hong Kong has never been popular in Taiwan. It is even less so now after months of anti-government protests in the former British colony. The protesters have widespread public sympathy in Taiwan, and both the DPP and Kuomintang have pledged to help those who flee to the island. Han has complained of "dirty tricks" being used to smear him as a puppet for China, especially revelations in Australian media from a self-proclaimed Chinese spy who claimed China has supported Han. Han strongly rejects this. "I beseech Taiwan's people, in the 2020 presidential and parliamentary election, open your eyes. I hope Taiwan's people see these wicked smears to paint me black, red and yellow and make a rational decision," Han said on Tuesday. Scaring Taiwan In the run-up to the election, China has repeated its "one country, two systems" offer to Taiwan. Liu Jieyi, the urbane head of China's policy-making Taiwan Affairs Office, wrote in the Communist Party's official People's Daily last week that people in Taiwan were "positively exploring" this model, though offered no evidence. But one Chinese official, who meets regularly with senior members of the People's Liberation Army, told Reuters that the Hong Kong protests had "increased the difficulty of getting Taiwan back". "What's happening there is scaring Taiwan," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, referring to conversations with military officers. While China has denied seeking to interfere in Taiwan's elections, Taiwan's parliament on the final day of last year passed a new anti-infiltration law designed to stop Chinese influence on Taiwan's democracy. China's military is not idly sitting on the sidelines. Its newest aircraft carrier, the Shandong, has twice sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait in the past two months, most recently in late December. The United States, Taiwan's main arms supplier and strongest international backer even in the absence of official diplomatic ties has said it is concerned at Chinese efforts to sway the election. Zhou Bo, director of the Centre for Security Cooperation of the Office for International Military Cooperation at China's Defence Ministry, said China "of course" wanted to resolve the "Taiwan issue" peacefully. But China could not sit by while Taiwan continued attempts to distance itself from China, and the United States should heed that warning, he said. "I don't know whether the United States is prepared to pay the price militarily for Taiwan."

Taiwan to vote in shadow of China pressure, Hong Kong protests

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

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam today affirmed her wish to work closely with Beijing's top official to get back on ''the right path''. The protests are now running into their sixth month.

China appointed a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-luo-huining-replaced-wang-zhimin-as-hong-kongs-top-envoy-272120">new envoy</a> to Hong Kong, Luo Huining unexpectedly. The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) reports to China's State Council or the&nbsp;cabinet. It is the main platform for Beijing to retain its influence on the city.

"I would work closely with director Luo in the coming future, committing to 'one country, two systems', and the Basic Law, for Hong Kong to ... return to the right path," Lam said at a press conference, her first this year.

Huining echoed similar sentiments, hoping the city would return to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-chief-of-chinas-hong-kong-liaison-office-hopes-city-returns-to-right-path-272407">''right path'</a>'.

Watch:&nbsp;Hong Kong riot police detain protesters

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Earlier in November, Reuters had reported that China was intent on replacing the former liaison office chief, Wang Zhimin, who was facing criticism over the unrest.

Even though Lam did not refer to the protests in her remarks, she alluded to the outbreak of a respiratory virus in China's Wuhan city. Such cases in Hong Kong have increased to 21, out of which seven have been released from the hospital.

The clashes between the police and protests have intensified over the last week. Earlier, the district council elections were swept by pro-democracy candidates. No concessions have been given by the government yet.

The protests began against the controversial Extradition Bill, which is now scrapped. Later on, the demonstrations evolved into a full-fledged movement demanding democracy. The protesters have also demanded an independent inquiry into instances of police brutality, even though the police say that they exercised restraint.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-chief-of-chinas-hong-kong-liaison-office-hopes-city-returns-to-right-path-272407">Hope Hong Kong can return to right path, says new chief of China's liaison office</a>

Hong Kong currently follows the ''one country, two systems'' model of governance which gives the city more autonomy than Chinese mainland. The British colony came under Chinese rule in 1996.

China has repeatedly asserted claims of the West triggering the unrest to stir instability in the region.

According to a Reuters poll, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-around-400-arrested-in-new-years-day-unrest-271484">the pro-democracy movement</a> has the support of 59% city residents, with 57% of them demanding Lam's resignation.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam today affirmed her wish to work closely with Beijing's top official to get back on ''the right path''. The protests are now running into their sixth month.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam today affirmed her wish to work closely with Beijing's top official to get back on ''the right path''. The protests are now running into their sixth month. China appointed a new envoy to Hong Kong, Luo Huining unexpectedly. The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) reports to China's State Council or the cabinet. It is the main platform for Beijing to retain its influence on the city. "I would work closely with director Luo in the coming future, committing to 'one country, two systems', and the Basic Law, for Hong Kong to ... return to the right path," Lam said at a press conference, her first this year. Huining echoed similar sentiments, hoping the city would return to ''right path''. Watch: Hong Kong riot police detain protesters Earlier in November, Reuters had reported that China was intent on replacing the former liaison office chief, Wang Zhimin, who was facing criticism over the unrest. Even though Lam did not refer to the protests in her remarks, she alluded to the outbreak of a respiratory virus in China's Wuhan city. Such cases in Hong Kong have increased to 21, out of which seven have been released from the hospital. The clashes between the police and protests have intensified over the last week. Earlier, the district council elections were swept by pro-democracy candidates. No concessions have been given by the government yet. The protests began against the controversial Extradition Bill, which is now scrapped. Later on, the demonstrations evolved into a full-fledged movement demanding democracy. The protesters have also demanded an independent inquiry into instances of police brutality, even though the police say that they exercised restraint. Also read: Hope Hong Kong can return to right path, says new chief of China's liaison office Hong Kong currently follows the ''one country, two systems'' model of governance which gives the city more autonomy than Chinese mainland. The British colony came under Chinese rule in 1996. China has repeatedly asserted claims of the West triggering the unrest to stir instability in the region. According to a Reuters poll, the pro-democracy movement has the support of 59% city residents, with 57% of them demanding Lam's resignation. (With inputs from Reuters)

Will work with new Chinese envoy to get back on 'right path': Hong Kong's Carrie Lam

The new head of China's liaison office in Hong Kong, the most senior mainland official based in the territory, said on Monday China was the strongest backer of the Asian financial hub, which he hoped would return to "the right path".

The liaison office, which reports to China's State Councilor cabinet, is a platform for Beijing to project its influence in the city and has faced criticism for misjudging the situation in the Chinese-controlled city, which has faced more than six months of pro-democracy protests.

In his first comments to the media since Saturday's announcement by China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security that he had replaced Wang Zhimin, 65-year-old Luo Huining said he was "not unfamiliar with the city".

"Hong Kong compatriots have made important contributions to the reform and opening up and modernisation of our country. The motherland will always be Hong Kong’s strongest backer," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-luo-huining-replaced-wang-zhimin-as-hong-kongs-top-envoy-272120">Luo</a> told reporters.

"In the past half a year, the Hong Kong situation has been worrying. Everyone eagerly hopes Hong Kong can return to the right path."

In November, Reuters reported exclusively that Beijing was considering potential replacements for Wang, in a sign of dissatisfaction with the liaison office's handling of the crisis in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-university-protest-fizzling-out-as-over-1000-arrested-by-authorities-263246">Hong Kong</a>.

Until November, Luo was the top official of China's ruling <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-says-us-must-confront-chinas-communist-party-259032">Communist Party</a> in the northern province of Shanxi, where he had been tasked with cleaning up a graft-ridden, coal-rich region where corruption was once likened to cancer.

Before moving to Shanxi, Luo had been the top party official in the western province of Qinghai.

Protests in Hong Kong escalated in June over a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent for trial to the mainland, where justice is controlled by the Communist Party.

They have since evolved into a broad pro-democracy movement, with anger growing over a perception that Beijing is meddling too much into Hong Kong, which was promised a high degree of autonomy upon returning from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

China denies meddling and blames the West for fomenting unrest.

Luo said the "one country, two systems" type of governance that guarantees Hong Kong freedoms not available on the mainland was the city's greatest advantage and that the basic law, the city's mini-constitution, will be "fully implemented."

The new head of China's liaison office in Hong Kong, the most senior mainland official based in the territory, said on Monday China was the strongest backer of the Asian financial hub, which he hoped would return to "the right path".

The new head of China's liaison office in Hong Kong, the most senior mainland official based in the territory, said on Monday China was the strongest backer of the Asian financial hub, which he hoped would return to "the right path". The liaison office, which reports to China's State Councilor cabinet, is a platform for Beijing to project its influence in the city and has faced criticism for misjudging the situation in the Chinese-controlled city, which has faced more than six months of pro-democracy protests. In his first comments to the media since Saturday's announcement by China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security that he had replaced Wang Zhimin, 65-year-old Luo Huining said he was "not unfamiliar with the city". "Hong Kong compatriots have made important contributions to the reform and opening up and modernisation of our country. The motherland will always be Hong Kong’s strongest backer," Luo told reporters. "In the past half a year, the Hong Kong situation has been worrying. Everyone eagerly hopes Hong Kong can return to the right path." In November, Reuters reported exclusively that Beijing was considering potential replacements for Wang, in a sign of dissatisfaction with the liaison office's handling of the crisis in Hong Kong. Until November, Luo was the top official of China's ruling Communist Party in the northern province of Shanxi, where he had been tasked with cleaning up a graft-ridden, coal-rich region where corruption was once likened to cancer. Before moving to Shanxi, Luo had been the top party official in the western province of Qinghai. Protests in Hong Kong escalated in June over a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent for trial to the mainland, where justice is controlled by the Communist Party. They have since evolved into a broad pro-democracy movement, with anger growing over a perception that Beijing is meddling too much into Hong Kong, which was promised a high degree of autonomy upon returning from British to Chinese rule in 1997. China denies meddling and blames the West for fomenting unrest. Luo said the "one country, two systems" type of governance that guarantees Hong Kong freedoms not available on the mainland was the city's greatest advantage and that the basic law, the city's mini-constitution, will be "fully implemented."

Hope Hong Kong can return to right path, says new chief of China's liaison office

More than two decades after Hong Kong returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997, a long border fence still threads between mainland China and the city.

Tranquil borderlands of Hong Kong caught in timewarp as China booms

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

In a briefing received from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/hsbc-begins-year-with-hong-kong-branches-closed-vandalised-271637">HSBC</a> bank on Friday, the overnight services were said to be suspended at 19 ATM clusters cited in&nbsp;different areas of&nbsp;Hong Kong, two days after its branches and ATMs were&nbsp;vandalised and flamed during <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-around-400-arrested-in-new-years-day-unrest-271484">anti-government protests</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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.

Until mid-December, 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 saw premises vandalised.

Since then, HSBC has drawn the ire of some protesters who accuse it of being complicit inaction by the authorities against activists trying to raise money to support their campaign.

HSBC strongly denies any connection.

The 19 groups of ATM machines are located in common protest hotspots. As a precautionary measure, they will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, the days before public holidays and on public holidays until further notice, the bank said in a statement.

HSBC on Thursday closed two branches and seven indoor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/desperate-hong-kong-protesters-explore-sewers-in-campus-escape-bid-263209">ATM clusters</a> after they were vandalised during anti-government protests on New Year's Day and Christmas Eve.

The famous pair of lions that guard its city centre headquarters were daubed with graffiti and briefly set alight after being doused in a flammable liquid.

In a briefing received from the HSBC bank on Friday, the overnight services were said to be suspended at 19 ATM clusters cited in different areas of Hong Kong, two days after its branches and ATMs were vandalised and flamed during anti-government protests.

In a briefing received from the HSBC bank on Friday, the overnight services were said to be suspended at 19 ATM clusters cited in different areas of Hong Kong, two days after its branches and ATMs were vandalised and flamed during anti-government protests. 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. Until mid-December, 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 saw premises vandalised. Since then, HSBC has drawn the ire of some protesters who accuse it of being complicit inaction by the authorities against activists trying to raise money to support their campaign. HSBC strongly denies any connection. The 19 groups of ATM machines are located in common protest hotspots. As a precautionary measure, they will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, the days before public holidays and on public holidays until further notice, the bank said in a statement. HSBC on Thursday closed two branches and seven indoor ATM clusters after they were vandalised during anti-government protests on New Year's Day and Christmas Eve. The famous pair of lions that guard its city centre headquarters were daubed with graffiti and briefly set alight after being doused in a flammable liquid.

HSBC suspends overnight services at 19 ATM clusters in Hong Kong after branches vandalised

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

The atmosphere remained tense in Hong Kong's Causeway Bay district on Wednesday (January 1) as riot police detained anti-government demonstrators after a day of protests.

Hong Kong riot police detain protesters

<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

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a New Year speech, he reviewed the achievements of 2019 and extended his New Year wishes for 2020. He also called for Hong Kong to return to stability following months of pro-democracy protests. #WION #HongKongProtests #XiJinping

Xi Jinping delivers New Year speech, calls for calm in Hong Kong

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

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

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

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

Hong Kong's protesters have welcomed a new decade via a New Year's Day rally, with tens of thousands joining a pro-democracy march. Though the gathering was largely peaceful, violence broke out in some areas and police fired tear gas. On New Year's Eve, demonstrators had formed human chains that stretched for miles down busy shopping streets. #HongKong #HongKongProtests #HongKongFreshProtests

WION Dispatch: Hong Kong kicks off 2020 fresh protests

A peaceful march drawing tens of thousands of anti-government protesters on New Year's Day spiralled into chaotic scenes as police fired several rounds of tear gas at crowds including families and some protesters threw several petrol bombs.

The violence broke out during a largely peaceful march as masses of regular citizens pressed authorities for further concessions in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-readies-for-new-year-democracy-rally-271378">Chinese-ruled city</a>.

In the Wanchai bar district, some protesters had spray-painted graffiti and smashed cash machines in an HSBC bank branch when plainclothes police moved in, pepper-spraying crowds in a tense face-off, after which several rounds of tear gas were fired.

The protesters, many masked and clad in black, regrouped and formed their own line, hurling several petrol bombs and unfurling umbrellas.

Protesters have directed their ire at the global banking group HSBC saying that it had closed an account that had been a fund-raising platform for the protest movement, a claim the bank has strongly denied.

Earlier in the day, under grey clouds, citizens young and old, many dressed in black and some masked, carried signs such as "Freedom is not free" before setting off.

"It's hard to utter 'Happy New Year' because Hong Kong people are not happy," said a man named Tung, who was walking with his two-year-old son, mother and niece.

"Unless the five demands are achieved, and police are held accountable for their brutality, then we can't have a real happy new year," he added.

He was referring to the push for concessions from the government including full democracy, an amnesty for the more than 6,500 people arrested so far, and a powerful, independent investigation into police actions.

The pro-democracy march is being organised by the Civil Human Rights Front, a group that arranged a number of marches last year that drew millions.

Along the route, a number of newly elected pro-democracy district politicians mingled with the crowds on their first day in office, some helping collect donations to assist the movement.

"The government has already started the oppression before the New Year began ... whoever is being oppressed, we will stand with them," said Jimmy Sham, one of the leaders of the Civil Human Rights Front.

Thousands of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protests-severely-challenged-one-country-two-systems-principle-xi-in-his-new-year-address-271325">Hong Kong revellers</a> had earlier welcomed in 2020 on neon-lit promenades along the skyline of Victoria Harbour, chanting the movement's signature slogan - "Liberate Hong Kong. Revolution of our Time" - for the final seconds before clocks struck midnight.

A sea of protesters then surged down Nathan Road, a major boulevard, blocking all lanes in a spontaneous march breaking out within minutes of the new decade. Some held signs reading "Let’s keep fighting together in 2020."

Overnight, police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons during some brief standoffs.

China's President Xi Jinping said in a New Year's speech that Beijing will "resolutely safeguard the prosperity and stability" of Hong Kong under the so-called "one country, two systems" framework.

Many people in Hong Kong are angered by Beijing's tight grip on the city which was promised a high degree of autonomy under this framework when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Beijing denies interference and blames the West for fomenting the unrest.

A group of 40 parliamentarians and dignitaries from 18 countries had written an open letter to Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam on New Year's Eve, urging her to "seek genuine ways forward out of this crisis by addressing the grievances of Hong Kong people."

The protest movement is supported by 59% of the city's residents polled in a survey conducted for Reuters by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute.

Demonstrations have grown increasingly violent in recent months, at times paralyzing the Asian financial centre.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-leader-rejects-chinas-offer-to-unify-under-hong-kong-model-271327">Protesters</a> have thrown petrol bombs and rocks, with police responding with tear gas, water cannon, pepper spray, rubber bullets and occasional live rounds. There have been several injuries.

A peaceful march drawing tens of thousands of anti-government protesters on New Year's Day spiralled into chaotic scenes as police fired several rounds of tear gas at crowds including families and some protesters threw several petrol bombs.

A peaceful march drawing tens of thousands of anti-government protesters on New Year's Day spiralled into chaotic scenes as police fired several rounds of tear gas at crowds including families and some protesters threw several petrol bombs. The violence broke out during a largely peaceful march as masses of regular citizens pressed authorities for further concessions in the Chinese-ruled city. In the Wanchai bar district, some protesters had spray-painted graffiti and smashed cash machines in an HSBC bank branch when plainclothes police moved in, pepper-spraying crowds in a tense face-off, after which several rounds of tear gas were fired. The protesters, many masked and clad in black, regrouped and formed their own line, hurling several petrol bombs and unfurling umbrellas. Protesters have directed their ire at the global banking group HSBC saying that it had closed an account that had been a fund-raising platform for the protest movement, a claim the bank has strongly denied. Earlier in the day, under grey clouds, citizens young and old, many dressed in black and some masked, carried signs such as "Freedom is not free" before setting off. "It's hard to utter 'Happy New Year' because Hong Kong people are not happy," said a man named Tung, who was walking with his two-year-old son, mother and niece. "Unless the five demands are achieved, and police are held accountable for their brutality, then we can't have a real happy new year," he added. He was referring to the push for concessions from the government including full democracy, an amnesty for the more than 6,500 people arrested so far, and a powerful, independent investigation into police actions. The pro-democracy march is being organised by the Civil Human Rights Front, a group that arranged a number of marches last year that drew millions. Along the route, a number of newly elected pro-democracy district politicians mingled with the crowds on their first day in office, some helping collect donations to assist the movement. "The government has already started the oppression before the New Year began ... whoever is being oppressed, we will stand with them," said Jimmy Sham, one of the leaders of the Civil Human Rights Front. Thousands of Hong Kong revellers had earlier welcomed in 2020 on neon-lit promenades along the skyline of Victoria Harbour, chanting the movement's signature slogan - "Liberate Hong Kong. Revolution of our Time" - for the final seconds before clocks struck midnight. A sea of protesters then surged down Nathan Road, a major boulevard, blocking all lanes in a spontaneous march breaking out within minutes of the new decade. Some held signs reading "Let’s keep fighting together in 2020." Overnight, police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons during some brief standoffs. China's President Xi Jinping said in a New Year's speech that Beijing will "resolutely safeguard the prosperity and stability" of Hong Kong under the so-called "one country, two systems" framework. Many people in Hong Kong are angered by Beijing's tight grip on the city which was promised a high degree of autonomy under this framework when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Beijing denies interference and blames the West for fomenting the unrest. A group of 40 parliamentarians and dignitaries from 18 countries had written an open letter to Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam on New Year's Eve, urging her to "seek genuine ways forward out of this crisis by addressing the grievances of Hong Kong people." The protest movement is supported by 59% of the city's residents polled in a survey conducted for Reuters by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute. Demonstrations have grown increasingly violent in recent months, at times paralyzing the Asian financial centre. Protesters have thrown petrol bombs and rocks, with police responding with tear gas, water cannon, pepper spray, rubber bullets and occasional live rounds. There have been several injuries.

Hong Kong unrest: Protesters vow to 'keep fighting', police fire tear gas

Hong Kong was readying for a massive <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-mass-rally-called-off-as-pro-democracy-lawmaker-arrested-in-protest-crackdown-246649">pro-democracy rally</a> Wednesday after seeing in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/chinas-taiwan-conundrum-new-year-old-challenges-189496">New Year</a> with an evening of peaceful protests that morphed into tear gas-choked clashes between hardcore demonstrators and police.

The city has been battered by more than six months of unrest with millions marching, as well as confrontations in which police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets, while protesters have responded with petrol bombs.

Thousands gathered before midnight across the financial hub, including along Victoria Harbour and at nightlife hotspot <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-braces-for-mass-rally-over-weekend-after-halloween-clashes-259185">Lan Kwai Fong</a>.

Protesters at the harbourfront counted down chanting "Ten! Nine! Liberate Hong Kong, revolution now!" as they lit up their phones.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-pro-democracy-protesters-rally-for-catalan-independence-258080/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Smaller crowds in the Mong Kok district set fire to barricades before riot police unleashed 2020's first volleys of tear gas in response.

Police had also used water cannon to disperse protesters in the same area, and in nearby Prince, Edward officers arrested several protesters staging a candlelight vigil.

Earlier in the evening, thousands of people linked arms in human chains that stretched for miles along busy shopping streets and through local neighborhoods.

They chanted slogans, sang "Glory to Hong Kong" a protest anthem and held up posters calling for people to fight for democracy in 2020.

"Thanks to 2019, which tore off the ugly masks of the police and the government and let the people see the truth," said protester Kris, a medic who joined the protest.

"The movement is kind of like at its bottleneck now. Hopefully, a huge turnout at tomorrow's march could bring back people's passion," he added. In late November, the city's pro-democracy camp scored a landslide victory in a municipal-level vote seen as a referendum on the Beijing-backed government's handling of political unrest.

The protest movement has since become quieter but sporadic clashes have persisted.

But protesters have vowed to continue their effort to push for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability.

The Civil Human Rights Front, the chief organiser of marches, is hoping for a huge turnout at Wednesday's rally to urge the government to respond to the demands of the pro-democracy movement which includes an independent inquiry into the police, amnesty for arrestees and fully free elections.

Police have arrested nearly 6,500 people since June nearly a third of them aged under 20.

"The youngsters have sacrificed a lot for justice 2019 is a wake-up call," a 63-year-old retiree, who gave his surname as Shiu, told AFP.

"People will be more determined in the new year. People know that the future of Hong Kong depends on whether we can achieve the five demands."

The demonstrations were sparked by a now-abandoned bill to allow extraditions to the authoritarian mainland, but have since evolved into a popular revolt against Beijing's control the biggest crisis since the former British colony's return to Chinese rule in 1997.

Hong Kong was readying for a massive pro-democracy rally Wednesday after seeing in the New Year with an evening of peaceful protests that morphed into tear gas-choked clashes between hardcore demonstrators and police.

Hong Kong was readying for a massive pro-democracy rally Wednesday after seeing in the New Year with an evening of peaceful protests that morphed into tear gas-choked clashes between hardcore demonstrators and police. The city has been battered by more than six months of unrest with millions marching, as well as confrontations in which police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets, while protesters have responded with petrol bombs. Thousands gathered before midnight across the financial hub, including along Victoria Harbour and at nightlife hotspot Lan Kwai Fong. Protesters at the harbourfront counted down chanting "Ten! Nine! Liberate Hong Kong, revolution now!" as they lit up their phones. Smaller crowds in the Mong Kok district set fire to barricades before riot police unleashed 2020's first volleys of tear gas in response. Police had also used water cannon to disperse protesters in the same area, and in nearby Prince, Edward officers arrested several protesters staging a candlelight vigil. Earlier in the evening, thousands of people linked arms in human chains that stretched for miles along busy shopping streets and through local neighborhoods. They chanted slogans, sang "Glory to Hong Kong" a protest anthem and held up posters calling for people to fight for democracy in 2020. "Thanks to 2019, which tore off the ugly masks of the police and the government and let the people see the truth," said protester Kris, a medic who joined the protest. "The movement is kind of like at its bottleneck now. Hopefully, a huge turnout at tomorrow's march could bring back people's passion," he added. In late November, the city's pro-democracy camp scored a landslide victory in a municipal-level vote seen as a referendum on the Beijing-backed government's handling of political unrest. The protest movement has since become quieter but sporadic clashes have persisted. But protesters have vowed to continue their effort to push for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability. The Civil Human Rights Front, the chief organiser of marches, is hoping for a huge turnout at Wednesday's rally to urge the government to respond to the demands of the pro-democracy movement which includes an independent inquiry into the police, amnesty for arrestees and fully free elections. Police have arrested nearly 6,500 people since June nearly a third of them aged under 20. "The youngsters have sacrificed a lot for justice 2019 is a wake-up call," a 63-year-old retiree, who gave his surname as Shiu, told AFP. "People will be more determined in the new year. People know that the future of Hong Kong depends on whether we can achieve the five demands." The demonstrations were sparked by a now-abandoned bill to allow extraditions to the authoritarian mainland, but have since evolved into a popular revolt against Beijing's control the biggest crisis since the former British colony's return to Chinese rule in 1997.

Hong Kong readies for New Year democracy rally

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