Hong Kong: A Video Game Lets You Play As A Protester

Gravitas: Now, A game on Hong Kong Protest

An annual K-pop festival is not happening in Hong Kong this year due <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watching-situation-in-hong-kong-with-grave-concern-us-261489">to months-long political unrest</a>, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Monday. 
 
Hong Kong has hosted the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) since 2012, where top K-pop artists including global phenomenon boyband BTS performed for years. In previous years, tens of thousands of K-pop fans packed stadiums in Hong Kong for the awards. 
 
The move follows a number of organisers delaying or cancelling sports, concerts and other events due to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kongs-carrie-lam-says-violence-exceeded-calls-for-democracy-police-defend-officers-who-shot-at-protesters-261394">pro-democracy protests</a>. Hong Kong`s premier women's tennis event planned for October was postponed.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-protests-carrie-lam-condemns-mondays-violence-261492/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

The city`s soccer matches were also postponed.&nbsp;Hong Kong police shot and critically wounded a protester and a man was doused with petrol and set on fire on Monday as the Chinese-ruled territory spiralled into rare working-day violence in its 24th week of unrest. 
 
"This year, after internal discussions, the MAMA organizer decided not to hold the event in Hong Kong because of the protests," the source said. 
 
South Korea`s CJ ENM Co Ltd, the show's organizer, told Reuters in a statement that Hong Kong had not been chosen as the event`s venue, considering "various circumstances," without elaborating. 
 
The music awards will take place in Nagoya, Japan on Dec. 4, CJ ENM added.

An annual K-pop festival is not happening in Hong Kong this year due to months-long political unrest, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Monday.

An annual K-pop festival is not happening in Hong Kong this year due to months-long political unrest, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Monday. Hong Kong has hosted the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) since 2012, where top K-pop artists including global phenomenon boyband BTS performed for years. In previous years, tens of thousands of K-pop fans packed stadiums in Hong Kong for the awards. The move follows a number of organisers delaying or cancelling sports, concerts and other events due to the pro-democracy protests. Hong Kong`s premier women's tennis event planned for October was postponed. Watch Video: The city`s soccer matches were also postponed. Hong Kong police shot and critically wounded a protester and a man was doused with petrol and set on fire on Monday as the Chinese-ruled territory spiralled into rare working-day violence in its 24th week of unrest. "This year, after internal discussions, the MAMA organizer decided not to hold the event in Hong Kong because of the protests," the source said. South Korea`s CJ ENM Co Ltd, the show's organizer, told Reuters in a statement that Hong Kong had not been chosen as the event`s venue, considering "various circumstances," without elaborating. The music awards will take place in Nagoya, Japan on Dec. 4, CJ ENM added.

K-pop top awards show skips Hong Kong due to protests: Source

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violence-brings-hong-kong-to-brink-of-total-breakdown-metro-suspends-operations-261570">Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters</a> fought intense battles with riot police on a university campus and paralysed the city's upmarket business district Tuesday, extending one of the most violent stretches of unrest seen in more than five months of political chaos.

The confrontations followed a particularly brutal day on Monday, when police shot a protester and a man was set on fire, prompting calls from western powers for compromise but further fury in China against any challenge to its rule.

The city's universities emerged as a new flashpoint throughout Tuesday with sustained clashes at major campuses for the first time.&nbsp;

The epicentre was the Chinese University of Hong Kong where the usually placid hillside grounds were turned into a battlefield.

Police fired repeated volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets at hundreds of protesters who had built barricades ending an hours-long standoff between the two sides.

Protesters responded with bricks and petrol bombs, while a vehicle used in a barricade was set alight.

After a brief hiatus in which faculty staff tried to mediate, new clashes broke in the evening with flames lighting up the night sky and fresh rounds of tear gas whizzing through the air.

Police used a water cannon truck in an attempt to dislodge protesters but they remained behind their makeshift shield walls.

There were smaller clashes on at least three other university campuses throughout the day.

Change of tactics

After months of largely confining their most disruptive protests to the weekends, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kongs-carrie-lam-says-violence-exceeded-calls-for-democracy-police-defend-officers-who-shot-at-protesters-261394">online groups used by protesters</a> have been pushing new tactics targeting the working week.

For the last two days flashmob protesters have blocked roads during the morning rush hour, thrown objects onto rail tracks and held up subway trains, sparking transport chaos throughout the city.

In Central, a district that is home to many blue-chip international firms and luxury shops, thousands of office workers occupied roads for hours on Tuesday chanting: "Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong!".

Hundreds of hardcore protesters threw bricks and other objects before retreating when riot police fired tear gas in the shadows of high-end stores.

But the streets filled with protesters once more as people left work for the evening, prompting police to carry out another dispersal operation with tear gas.

The scenes in Central were a vivid illustration of how ordinary people are continuing to back the pro-democracy movement -- even as the radicals adopt more violent tactics.

Authorities have offered repeated condemnation but been unable or unwilling to find a solution to the crisis.&nbsp;

"Hong Kong's rule of law has been pushed to the brink of total collapse," police spokesman Kong Wing-cheung told a press conference on Tuesday as he defended the force against seething public anger.

Watch: Hong Kong protest - Another day of chaos in Hong Kong

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-protest-another-day-of-chaos-in-hong-kong-261588/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

China tightening control

China has ruled Hong Kong under a "one country, two systems" framework, which allows the city greater freedoms than on the mainland, since its handover from the British in 1997.

The protest movement has been fuelled by Beijing's tightening control over Hong Kong.

Protesters are demanding a right to freely elect their leaders, as well as an independent inquiry in what they see as police brutality.

But China has steadfastly refused to give any concessions to the protesters, and instead warned of even tougher security measures.

Beijing has repeatedly signalled that it would be prepared to send mainland security forces into Hong Kong.

Chinese state media on Tuesday again raised the spectre of the People's Liberation Army being deployed to end the crisis.

The warnings were in response to Monday's violence, in which a man was doused with a flammable liquid and set ablaze by a masked assailant following an argument with pro-democracy protesters.&nbsp;

Chinese authorities, as well as state-run media, have said the attack was an example of protesters' violent tactics, although the assailant has not been arrested and his identity remains unknown.

"This kind of hair-raising behaviour has caused terror and anxiety among the broader Hong Kong public," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters in Beijing.

"We condemn violence on all sides, extend our sympathies to victims of violence regardless of their political inclinations, and call for all parties,&nbsp;police and protesters,&nbsp;to exercise restraint," US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.

They were reacting in fury to a police officer shooting a 21-year-old protester on Monday morning, with that incident broadcast live on Facebook by a bystander.&nbsp;

Both the man set alight and the shot protester remained in critical condition on Tuesday, hospital authorities said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watching-situation-in-hong-kong-with-grave-concern-us-261489">Tensions had initially spiked</a> following the death last week of a young man who fell from a multi-storey car park during clashes with police.&nbsp;

He was the first student to die in the five months of protests, and protests over the weekend then escalated at the start of the working week.&nbsp;

Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters fought intense battles with riot police on a university campus and paralysed the city's upmarket business district Tuesday, extending one of the most violent stretches of unrest seen in more than five months of political chaos.

Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters fought intense battles with riot police on a university campus and paralysed the city's upmarket business district Tuesday, extending one of the most violent stretches of unrest seen in more than five months of political chaos. The confrontations followed a particularly brutal day on Monday, when police shot a protester and a man was set on fire, prompting calls from western powers for compromise but further fury in China against any challenge to its rule. The city's universities emerged as a new flashpoint throughout Tuesday with sustained clashes at major campuses for the first time. The epicentre was the Chinese University of Hong Kong where the usually placid hillside grounds were turned into a battlefield. Police fired repeated volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets at hundreds of protesters who had built barricades ending an hours-long standoff between the two sides. Protesters responded with bricks and petrol bombs, while a vehicle used in a barricade was set alight. After a brief hiatus in which faculty staff tried to mediate, new clashes broke in the evening with flames lighting up the night sky and fresh rounds of tear gas whizzing through the air. Police used a water cannon truck in an attempt to dislodge protesters but they remained behind their makeshift shield walls. There were smaller clashes on at least three other university campuses throughout the day. Change of tactics After months of largely confining their most disruptive protests to the weekends, online groups used by protesters have been pushing new tactics targeting the working week. For the last two days flashmob protesters have blocked roads during the morning rush hour, thrown objects onto rail tracks and held up subway trains, sparking transport chaos throughout the city. In Central, a district that is home to many blue-chip international firms and luxury shops, thousands of office workers occupied roads for hours on Tuesday chanting: "Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong!". Hundreds of hardcore protesters threw bricks and other objects before retreating when riot police fired tear gas in the shadows of high-end stores. But the streets filled with protesters once more as people left work for the evening, prompting police to carry out another dispersal operation with tear gas. The scenes in Central were a vivid illustration of how ordinary people are continuing to back the pro-democracy movement -- even as the radicals adopt more violent tactics. Authorities have offered repeated condemnation but been unable or unwilling to find a solution to the crisis. "Hong Kong's rule of law has been pushed to the brink of total collapse," police spokesman Kong Wing-cheung told a press conference on Tuesday as he defended the force against seething public anger. Watch: Hong Kong protest - Another day of chaos in Hong Kong China tightening control China has ruled Hong Kong under a "one country, two systems" framework, which allows the city greater freedoms than on the mainland, since its handover from the British in 1997. The protest movement has been fuelled by Beijing's tightening control over Hong Kong. Protesters are demanding a right to freely elect their leaders, as well as an independent inquiry in what they see as police brutality. But China has steadfastly refused to give any concessions to the protesters, and instead warned of even tougher security measures. Beijing has repeatedly signalled that it would be prepared to send mainland security forces into Hong Kong. Chinese state media on Tuesday again raised the spectre of the People's Liberation Army being deployed to end the crisis. The warnings were in response to Monday's violence, in which a man was doused with a flammable liquid and set ablaze by a masked assailant following an argument with pro-democracy protesters. Chinese authorities, as well as state-run media, have said the attack was an example of protesters' violent tactics, although the assailant has not been arrested and his identity remains unknown. "This kind of hair-raising behaviour has caused terror and anxiety among the broader Hong Kong public," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters in Beijing. "We condemn violence on all sides, extend our sympathies to victims of violence regardless of their political inclinations, and call for all parties, police and protesters, to exercise restraint," US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. They were reacting in fury to a police officer shooting a 21-year-old protester on Monday morning, with that incident broadcast live on Facebook by a bystander. Both the man set alight and the shot protester remained in critical condition on Tuesday, hospital authorities said. Tensions had initially spiked following the death last week of a young man who fell from a multi-storey car park during clashes with police. He was the first student to die in the five months of protests, and protests over the weekend then escalated at the start of the working week.

Hong Kong unrest: Clashes continue on university campus, business district

Hong Kong protests: Carrie Lam condemns Monday's violence. Watch video to know more.

Hong Kong protests: Carrie Lam condemns Monday's violence

The Trump administration today expressed "grave concern" over the situation in Hong Kong which saw a student demonstrator being killed last week and another shot at during<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kongs-carrie-lam-says-violence-exceeded-calls-for-democracy-police-defend-officers-who-shot-at-protesters-261394"> violent demonstrations </a>on Monday.

"The United States is watching the situation in Hong Kong with grave concern," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.

On Monday, large scale clashes between police and protesters in various parts of the city led to escalation of violence in which one person was shot at as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-fire-at-protesters-at-least-2-injured-261286">Hong Kong saw 24 </a>weeks of continuous violence.

At &nbsp;Sai Wan Ho district police opened fire on a &nbsp;21-year-old protester in the chest, the incident was broadcast live on facebook.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-battle-ground-that-is-hong-kong-261479/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The police reportedly again opened fire, firing two more live rounds as another protester fell on the ground. Both protesters were detained, according to reports.

"We condemn violence on all sides, extend our sympathies to victims of violence regardless of their political inclinations, and call for all parties -- police and protestors -- to exercise restraint," the State Department said.

There were other incidents of violence across the city including in Lung Cheung Road, &nbsp;Connaught Central and Pedder Street.

Defending its action, Chief Superintendent of Police Public Relations Branch of Kwok Pak-Chung said: "Two-person approached and my colleague was blocked and his waist was held on, "Suddenly a man wearing black appeared...if you look at his right hand he is trying to snatch my colleague's gun with his right hand."

"Because of the threats from two directions, and he knew if his gun was snatched, his safety, as well as the bystanders near him, will be threatened, therefore he decided to open fire," he added.&nbsp;

As violence spread, police arrested over 260 people while deploying heavy security around Metro stations with riot police deployed across the city.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said that "the widespread violent acts (of protesters) should be condemned by the whole society," adding,"The action of rioters has far exceeded the call for democracy and are now people's enemy. And it is incidents like that, which has seen by many local residents, making people worried and scared." 
&nbsp;

The Trump administration today expressed "grave concern" over the situation in Hong Kong which saw a student demonstrator being killed last week and another shot at during violent demonstrations on Monday.

The Trump administration today expressed "grave concern" over the situation in Hong Kong which saw a student demonstrator being killed last week and another shot at during violent demonstrations on Monday. "The United States is watching the situation in Hong Kong with grave concern," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. On Monday, large scale clashes between police and protesters in various parts of the city led to escalation of violence in which one person was shot at as Hong Kong saw 24 weeks of continuous violence. At Sai Wan Ho district police opened fire on a 21-year-old protester in the chest, the incident was broadcast live on facebook. Watch Video: The police reportedly again opened fire, firing two more live rounds as another protester fell on the ground. Both protesters were detained, according to reports. "We condemn violence on all sides, extend our sympathies to victims of violence regardless of their political inclinations, and call for all parties -- police and protestors -- to exercise restraint," the State Department said. There were other incidents of violence across the city including in Lung Cheung Road, Connaught Central and Pedder Street. Defending its action, Chief Superintendent of Police Public Relations Branch of Kwok Pak-Chung said: "Two-person approached and my colleague was blocked and his waist was held on, "Suddenly a man wearing black appeared...if you look at his right hand he is trying to snatch my colleague's gun with his right hand." "Because of the threats from two directions, and he knew if his gun was snatched, his safety, as well as the bystanders near him, will be threatened, therefore he decided to open fire," he added. As violence spread, police arrested over 260 people while deploying heavy security around Metro stations with riot police deployed across the city. Meanwhile, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said that "the widespread violent acts (of protesters) should be condemned by the whole society," adding,"The action of rioters has far exceeded the call for democracy and are now people's enemy. And it is incidents like that, which has seen by many local residents, making people worried and scared."

Watching situation in Hong Kong with grave concern: US

Railway Services suspended for second day, Carie Lam calls protesters selfish.

Hong Kong Protest:  Another day of Chaos in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police fired tear gas in the heart of the Central financial district and at two university campuses to break up pro-democracy protests as violence was bringing the Chinese-ruled city to what they said was the "brink of total breakdown".

The clashes came a day after police shot a protester at close range and a man was doused with petrol and set on fire in some of the worst violence in the former British colony in decades.

A flash mob of more than 1,000 protesters, many wearing office clothes and face masks, rallied in Central for a second day during lunch hour, blocking roads below some of the city's tallest skyscrapers and most expensive real estate.

After they had dispersed, police fired tear gas at the remaining protesters on old, narrow Pedder Street. Police made more than a dozen arrests, many pinned up on the pavement against the wall of luxury jeweller Tiffany &amp; Co.

Police vans surged into the area, and officers took up positions in a standoff with protesters just an hour or so before office workers were due to start leaving for home.

"Our society has been pushed to the brink of a total breakdown," a police spokesman told a briefing, referring to the last two days of violence.

He said the man set on fire on Monday was still in critical condition and appealed for information on who was responsible.

Police on Monday fired volley after volley of tear gas in Central, where some protesters blocked streets lined with banks and jewellery shops. Most had pulled down their shutters on Tuesday.

Tension eased as the lunch hour ended, but some protesters used a double-decker airport bus to block a key road running alongside the newly reclaimed area of the harbour close to downtown Central.

Police also fired tear gas at City University in Kowloon Tong, beneath the Lion Rock, and at Chinese University on the other side of the mountain, where protesters threw petrol bombs and bricks at police.

Protesters at City University have stockpiled bricks and petrol bombs on the bridges and other approaches and were making small devices with nails, apparently to puncture tyres.

Streets inside and outside the Chinese University campus entrance were littered with bricks, other debris and small street fires as police tackled some protesters to the ground.

A van used as part of a street barricade was set ablaze.

"It's our school"

The university said some people had broken into a storeroom and taken bows, arrows and javelins. All were later retrieved, it said.

"It’s crazy that police have been firing tear gas for more than 20 minutes. If they didn't come in, we wouldn't clash with them. It's our school. We need to protect our home,” Candy, 20, a student, told Reuters.

There was chaos earlier as people thronged metro stations only to stream out again after some train services were suspended.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kongs-carrie-lam-says-violence-exceeded-calls-for-democracy-police-defend-officers-who-shot-at-protesters-261394">Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said</a> protesters were being extremely selfish and hoped that universities and schools would urge students not to take part in the demonstrations.

More than 260 people were arrested on Monday, police said, bringing the total number to more than 3,000 since the protests escalated in June.

Protesters are angry about what they see as police brutality and meddling by Beijing in the freedoms guaranteed under the "one country, two systems" formula put in place when the territory returned to China in 1997.

China denies interfering and has blamed Western countries, including Britain and the United States, for stirring up trouble.

The United States on Monday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watching-situation-in-hong-kong-with-grave-concern-us-261489">condemned "unjustified use of deadly force</a>" in Hong Kong and urged police and civilians alike to de-escalate the situation.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang urged Britain and the United States not to interfere in what was China's affair.

"The central government firmly supports the (special administrative region) government in implementing policies according to law, supporting the Hong Kong police in law enforcement, maintaining social order and protecting the safety of citizens," he told a briefing in Beijing.

"Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs that allow no foreign interference. We urge the United States, United Kingdom and other countries to earnestly respect China’s sovereignty..."

China has a garrison of up to 12,000 troops in Hong Kong who have kept to barracks throughout the unrest, but it has vowed to crush any attempts at independence, a demand for a very small minority of protesters.

Hong Kong police fired tear gas in the heart of the Central financial district and at two university campuses to break up pro-democracy protests as violence was bringing the Chinese-ruled city to what they said was the "brink of total breakdown".

Hong Kong police fired tear gas in the heart of the Central financial district and at two university campuses to break up pro-democracy protests as violence was bringing the Chinese-ruled city to what they said was the "brink of total breakdown". The clashes came a day after police shot a protester at close range and a man was doused with petrol and set on fire in some of the worst violence in the former British colony in decades. A flash mob of more than 1,000 protesters, many wearing office clothes and face masks, rallied in Central for a second day during lunch hour, blocking roads below some of the city's tallest skyscrapers and most expensive real estate. After they had dispersed, police fired tear gas at the remaining protesters on old, narrow Pedder Street. Police made more than a dozen arrests, many pinned up on the pavement against the wall of luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co. Police vans surged into the area, and officers took up positions in a standoff with protesters just an hour or so before office workers were due to start leaving for home. "Our society has been pushed to the brink of a total breakdown," a police spokesman told a briefing, referring to the last two days of violence. He said the man set on fire on Monday was still in critical condition and appealed for information on who was responsible. Police on Monday fired volley after volley of tear gas in Central, where some protesters blocked streets lined with banks and jewellery shops. Most had pulled down their shutters on Tuesday. Tension eased as the lunch hour ended, but some protesters used a double-decker airport bus to block a key road running alongside the newly reclaimed area of the harbour close to downtown Central. Police also fired tear gas at City University in Kowloon Tong, beneath the Lion Rock, and at Chinese University on the other side of the mountain, where protesters threw petrol bombs and bricks at police. Protesters at City University have stockpiled bricks and petrol bombs on the bridges and other approaches and were making small devices with nails, apparently to puncture tyres. Streets inside and outside the Chinese University campus entrance were littered with bricks, other debris and small street fires as police tackled some protesters to the ground. A van used as part of a street barricade was set ablaze. "It's our school" The university said some people had broken into a storeroom and taken bows, arrows and javelins. All were later retrieved, it said. "It’s crazy that police have been firing tear gas for more than 20 minutes. If they didn't come in, we wouldn't clash with them. It's our school. We need to protect our home,” Candy, 20, a student, told Reuters. There was chaos earlier as people thronged metro stations only to stream out again after some train services were suspended. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said protesters were being extremely selfish and hoped that universities and schools would urge students not to take part in the demonstrations. More than 260 people were arrested on Monday, police said, bringing the total number to more than 3,000 since the protests escalated in June. Protesters are angry about what they see as police brutality and meddling by Beijing in the freedoms guaranteed under the "one country, two systems" formula put in place when the territory returned to China in 1997. China denies interfering and has blamed Western countries, including Britain and the United States, for stirring up trouble. The United States on Monday condemned "unjustified use of deadly force" in Hong Kong and urged police and civilians alike to de-escalate the situation. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang urged Britain and the United States not to interfere in what was China's affair. "The central government firmly supports the (special administrative region) government in implementing policies according to law, supporting the Hong Kong police in law enforcement, maintaining social order and protecting the safety of citizens," he told a briefing in Beijing. "Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs that allow no foreign interference. We urge the United States, United Kingdom and other countries to earnestly respect China’s sovereignty..." China has a garrison of up to 12,000 troops in Hong Kong who have kept to barracks throughout the unrest, but it has vowed to crush any attempts at independence, a demand for a very small minority of protesters.

Violence brings Hong Kong to 'brink of total breakdown', metro suspends operations

Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari recommends President's rule in state: Sources. Watch video to know more.

Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari recommends President's rule in state: Sources

Police fire tear gas as protest flare up across Hong Kong. Watch video to know more.

Police fire tear gas as protest flare up across Hong Kong

Hong Kong is witnessing a violent protest that results- Damage of life and property. The violent clash erupts between Protesters and police early this morning and while covering the ground zero, WION's correspondent gets hit by tear gas.

Hong Kong Protests: WION's correspondent gets hit by tear gas

Just days after a student protester was killed in Hong Kong, city police officer shot at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-watchdog-unequipped-to-probe-own-forces-handling-of-protests-report-261208">masked protesters on Monday</a> as a new wave of violence hit Asia's financial centre.

WION's correspondent in Hong Kong was caught in the crossfire between security officials and protesters as demonstrations turned violent on Monday.

The latest incident of violence took place in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-fire-tear-gas-on-24th-weekend-of-unrest-261153">Sai Wan Ho district</a> as police tried to detain masked protesters at a Metro junction, amid the confusion a protester approached an officer and was shot in the chest which was broadcast live on Facebook.

The police reportedly again opened fire, firing two more live rounds as another protester fell on the ground. Both protesters were detained, according to reports.

There were other incidents of violence reported across the city in Lung Cheung road area including in Connaught Central and Pedder Street.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-protests-turn-violent-police-shoot-protester-amid-clashes-261252/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

AFP quoting hospital authorities said&nbsp;three people were admitted after the firing incident, one with a gunshot wound.&nbsp;

A huge blaze was reported on the footbride of Hong Kong Polytechnic University which was later doused by firefighters.

The police also clashed with protesters in Peddar Street, a cannister reportedly hit the demonstrators.

Hong Kong is witnessing&nbsp;24 weeks of continuous&nbsp;violence against China with protesters demanding greater democratic rights and police accountability.

On Friday, the protesters marked the death of university student with candlelight vigils as gloom descended on the city.&nbsp;

The violence centred around Nathan Road in the Kowloon district, a hotspot for tourists. Several shops were vandalised and entrance to the Metro blocked as authorities tried to stop the surge of protesters.

Chow Tsz-lok,22, a student who studied at University of Science and Technology (UST) died last week when he fell from the third to the second floor of a parking lot when protesters were being dispersed by police. It was the first student death in Hong Kong in over five months of protests.

Just days after a student protester was killed in Hong Kong, city police officer shot at masked protesters on Monday as a new wave of violence hit Asia's financial centre.

Just days after a student protester was killed in Hong Kong, city police officer shot at masked protesters on Monday as a new wave of violence hit Asia's financial centre. WION's correspondent in Hong Kong was caught in the crossfire between security officials and protesters as demonstrations turned violent on Monday. The latest incident of violence took place in Sai Wan Ho district as police tried to detain masked protesters at a Metro junction, amid the confusion a protester approached an officer and was shot in the chest which was broadcast live on Facebook. The police reportedly again opened fire, firing two more live rounds as another protester fell on the ground. Both protesters were detained, according to reports. There were other incidents of violence reported across the city in Lung Cheung road area including in Connaught Central and Pedder Street. Watch Video: AFP quoting hospital authorities said three people were admitted after the firing incident, one with a gunshot wound. A huge blaze was reported on the footbride of Hong Kong Polytechnic University which was later doused by firefighters. The police also clashed with protesters in Peddar Street, a cannister reportedly hit the demonstrators. Hong Kong is witnessing 24 weeks of continuous violence against China with protesters demanding greater democratic rights and police accountability. On Friday, the protesters marked the death of university student with candlelight vigils as gloom descended on the city. The violence centred around Nathan Road in the Kowloon district, a hotspot for tourists. Several shops were vandalised and entrance to the Metro blocked as authorities tried to stop the surge of protesters. Chow Tsz-lok,22, a student who studied at University of Science and Technology (UST) died last week when he fell from the third to the second floor of a parking lot when protesters were being dispersed by police. It was the first student death in Hong Kong in over five months of protests.

Hong Kong police opens fire at protesters; at least 2 injured

Hong Kong protesters vandalise malls, subway station & schools. Watch video to know more.

Hong Kong protesters vandalise malls, subway station & schools

Hong Kong protests turn violent; Police Shoot Protester Amid Clashes. Watch video to know more,

Hong Kong protests turn violent; Police Shoot Protester Amid Clashes

Hong Kong is witnessing a violent protest that results- Damage of life and property. The violent clash erupts between Protesters and police early this morning and while covering the ground zero, WION's correspondent gets hit by tear gas. In WION Dispatch, let's listen to the WION's correspondent Grace Lee from directly from Hong Kong as she shares the real-time experience of the situation during the protests.

Hong Kong: Police defends shooting protesters, WION's correspondent shares the real-time experience

Hong Kong <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-strongly-condemns-knife-attack-260417">leader Carrie Lam</a> addressing the media said that "the widespread violent acts (of protesters) should be condemned by the whole society. I hereby appeal to the people to recognised that the action is very destructive and could bring Hong Kong to a road of no return."

"The action of rioters has far exceeded the call for democracy and are now people's enemy. And it is incidents like that, which has seen by many local residents, making people worried and scared," Lam added.&nbsp;

Hong Kong police on Monday, November 11 made a statement, defending the officer who <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-fire-at-protesters-at-least-2-injured-261286">shot live fire at a protestor</a>, stating that his decision was in self-defence.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
"Two-person&nbsp;approached and my colleague was blocked and his waist was held on," said Chief Superintendent of Police Public Relations Branch of Kwok Pak-Chung.&nbsp;

"Suddenly a man wearing black appeared...if you look at his right hand he is trying to snatch my colleague's gun with his right hand," claimed the Chief Superintendent while releasing a video clip of the incident.&nbsp;

"Because of the threats from two directions, and he knew if his gun was snatched, his safety, as well as the bystanders near him, will be threatened, therefore he decided to open fire," he added.&nbsp;

The protestor who was shot in the right abdomen is said to be in critical condition, according to hospital officials.&nbsp;

Commenting on the traffic officer who fired three rounds, one of which hit a protester, the police said that the cause was still under investigation by the regional crime unit of Hong Kong.&nbsp;

The police claim that the incident was triggered when the officer was trying to arrest a person when several other protesters surrounded him. &nbsp;

"The officer pulled out his service revolver as a warning, however, the protester did not stop attempts to snatch the revolver," said officials.&nbsp;

Watch: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam strongly condemns knife attack

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-strongly-condemns-knife-attack-260417/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The officer believed it was very likely that revolver would be snatched and the consequence would be disastrous...We certainly believe our officer did not have bad intentions to hurt anyone," claimed the officials.&nbsp;

Police denounced the setting of fire of a man outside Ma On Shan Plaza in the New Territories, who was allegedly in opposition with protesters.&nbsp;

Videos circulating online depict a man pouring petrol on another before setting him on fire.&nbsp;

Hospital Authorities confirmed the admission of a man in a critical condition with severe burns, without confirming the video.&nbsp;

Hong Kong on Monday experienced rare working-hours violence amidst its 24th straight week of pro-democracy protests. &nbsp;

(With input from Reuters)

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam addressing the media said that "the widespread violent acts (of protesters) should be condemned by the whole society. I hereby appeal to the people to recognised that the action is very destructive and could bring Hong Kong to a road of no return.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam addressing the media said that "the widespread violent acts (of protesters) should be condemned by the whole society. I hereby appeal to the people to recognised that the action is very destructive and could bring Hong Kong to a road of no return." "The action of rioters has far exceeded the call for democracy and are now people's enemy. And it is incidents like that, which has seen by many local residents, making people worried and scared," Lam added. Hong Kong police on Monday, November 11 made a statement, defending the officer who shot live fire at a protestor, stating that his decision was in self-defence. "Two-person approached and my colleague was blocked and his waist was held on," said Chief Superintendent of Police Public Relations Branch of Kwok Pak-Chung. "Suddenly a man wearing black appeared...if you look at his right hand he is trying to snatch my colleague's gun with his right hand," claimed the Chief Superintendent while releasing a video clip of the incident. "Because of the threats from two directions, and he knew if his gun was snatched, his safety, as well as the bystanders near him, will be threatened, therefore he decided to open fire," he added. The protestor who was shot in the right abdomen is said to be in critical condition, according to hospital officials. Commenting on the traffic officer who fired three rounds, one of which hit a protester, the police said that the cause was still under investigation by the regional crime unit of Hong Kong. The police claim that the incident was triggered when the officer was trying to arrest a person when several other protesters surrounded him. "The officer pulled out his service revolver as a warning, however, the protester did not stop attempts to snatch the revolver," said officials. Watch: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam strongly condemns knife attack "The officer believed it was very likely that revolver would be snatched and the consequence would be disastrous...We certainly believe our officer did not have bad intentions to hurt anyone," claimed the officials. Police denounced the setting of fire of a man outside Ma On Shan Plaza in the New Territories, who was allegedly in opposition with protesters. Videos circulating online depict a man pouring petrol on another before setting him on fire. Hospital Authorities confirmed the admission of a man in a critical condition with severe burns, without confirming the video. Hong Kong on Monday experienced rare working-hours violence amidst its 24th straight week of pro-democracy protests. (With input from Reuters)

Hong Kong's Carrie Lam says violence exceeded calls for democracy, police defend officers who shot at protesters

Swiss bank UBS was fined HK$400 million ($51.09 million) by Hong Kong's securities regulator for overcharging up to 5,000 clients for nearly a decade, the watchdog said on Monday.

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) said in a statement that an investigation found UBS had overcharged clients on 'post-trade spread increases' and charges in excess of standard disclosures and rates between 2008 and 2017.

THE SFC said the investigation exposed 'serious systemic internal control failures' at the bank. UBS had failed to disclose conflicts of interests and had overcharged some clients in 'opaque' trades, it said.

The overcharging affected 5000 Hong Kong managed client accounts in about 28,700 transactions, it said.

UBS has also agreed to repay the clients HK$200 million, the SFC said.

UBS said the issues were 'self-reported' to the SFC and the results found were against the bank's standard practice.

"The relevant conduct predominantly relates to limit orders of certain debt securities and structured note transactions, which account for a very small percentage of the bank's order processing system," the bank said in a statement.

Swiss bank UBS was fined HK$400 million ($51.09 million) by Hong Kong's securities regulator for overcharging up to 5,000 clients for nearly a decade, the watchdog said on Monday.

Swiss bank UBS was fined HK$400 million ($51.09 million) by Hong Kong's securities regulator for overcharging up to 5,000 clients for nearly a decade, the watchdog said on Monday. The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) said in a statement that an investigation found UBS had overcharged clients on 'post-trade spread increases' and charges in excess of standard disclosures and rates between 2008 and 2017. THE SFC said the investigation exposed 'serious systemic internal control failures' at the bank. UBS had failed to disclose conflicts of interests and had overcharged some clients in 'opaque' trades, it said. The overcharging affected 5000 Hong Kong managed client accounts in about 28,700 transactions, it said. UBS has also agreed to repay the clients HK$200 million, the SFC said. UBS said the issues were 'self-reported' to the SFC and the results found were against the bank's standard practice. "The relevant conduct predominantly relates to limit orders of certain debt securities and structured note transactions, which account for a very small percentage of the bank's order processing system," the bank said in a statement.

UBS fined $51 million by Hong Kong regulator for overcharging clients

Asian shares sank on Monday, the safe-haven yen rose and gold jumped as fresh violence broke out in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-protests-turn-violent-police-shoot-protester-amid-clashes-261252">Hong Kong</a>, while uncertainty still remained over whether the United States and China could end their damaging trade war.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index led the losses in Asia, down more than 2 per cent, after police fired live rounds at protestors on the eastern side of Hong Kong island. Cable TV and other Hong Kong media reported at least one protester being wounded. Video footage showed a protester lying in a pool of blood.

Chinese shares too faltered with the blue-chip CSI300 index down 1.3 per cent. South Korea's KOSPI lost 0.4 per cent.

Japan's Nikkei gave up early gains to drift away from a recent 13-month high after data showed the country's core machinery orders fell for a third straight month.

Australian shares bucked the downbeat trend, rising 0.55 per cent&nbsp;to a two-week high.

That left MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan down 0.5 per cent.

"The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-us-agree-tariff-rollback-if-phase-one-trade-deal-is-completed-260641"> China-US&nbsp;trade war</a> and the Hong Kong protest are combining to cast a negative pall on Asian markets today," said James McGlew, analyst at stockbroking firm Argonaut.

"Hong Kong protests have been dragging on for a while and the view from the financial world is that it's really starting to bite now. The further this drags on it's certainly going to be very negative."

In Asian hours on Monday, E-minis for the S&amp;P500 were 0.25 per cent&nbsp;lower indicating a weak open later in the day.

US&nbsp;bond markets are closed on Monday, but currency and equity markets are open.

Gold, which rises during times of uncertainty, rebounded from a three-month low touched on Friday to be last up 0.3 per cent&nbsp;at $1,462.11 an ounce.

In currencies, the Japanese yen gained on the dollar to 109.01 while the Australian dollar, a liquid gauge for risk, was off slightly at $0.6853.

The dollar index was a touch softer at 98.33 while the euro ticked up to $1.1022.

Market attention was also on the US-China trade talks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-faces-perilous-test-as-impeachment-hearings-open-261230">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump </a>told reporters on Saturday that talks with China had moved more slowly than he would have liked, but added that Beijing wanted a deal more than he did.

That was a more upbeat tone than just a few days earlier when he had stressed that the White House would not agree to a full rollback of existing tariffs, remarks that hit stock prices and the dollar.

"Despite his bluster that 'China wants a trade deal more than I do', markets sense that Trump is likely quite keen to call a truce on what is becoming a serious U.S. economic risk heading into the 2020 election year," said David Bassanese, Sydney-based economist at Betashares.

By the close of Wall Street on Friday, optimism had returned to the market as investors bet that Washington needs a deal and it is in the interest of China, too. All three major US&nbsp;indexes eked out record closing highs.

The Dow inched up while the S&amp;P 500 climbed 0.3 per cent&nbsp;and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.5 per cent. The record closing high by the S&amp;P 500 was the fourth in six sessions.

"It will be the US-China trade talks that will continue to dictate the daily swings in sentiment this week," said Jeffrey Halley, senior analyst at OANDA.

Halley noted the negotiations were "starting to drag on in a disturbingly Brexit-like manner," referring to Britain's divorce deal with the European Union which is still up in the air almost three years after the country voted to leave the bloc.

US&nbsp;officials said a lot of work remained to be done when Trump announced the outlines of an interim deal last month, and Beijing has since pushed back on US&nbsp;demands for big agricultural purchases, among other issues.

Analysts said the outlook for equities was highly dependent on US&nbsp;economic data as a US-China trade agreement would help bolster manufacturing and industrial sectors.

"The Hong Kong protests have seen a knee-jerk rotation out of risk positioning," OANDA's Halley said. "The effects are more likely to be passing than permanent...as long as the trade talks stay on target."

Data on October US&nbsp;industrial production and retail sales, along with the National Federation of Independent Business's monthly small business survey, are scheduled for release this week.

In commodities, benchmark Brent crude fell 57 cents to $61.94 a barrel while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped 48 cents to $56.76 a barrel.

Asian shares sank on Monday, the safe-haven yen rose and gold jumped as fresh violence broke out in Hong Kong, while uncertainty still remained over whether the United States and China could end their damaging trade war.

Asian shares sank on Monday, the safe-haven yen rose and gold jumped as fresh violence broke out in Hong Kong, while uncertainty still remained over whether the United States and China could end their damaging trade war. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index led the losses in Asia, down more than 2 per cent, after police fired live rounds at protestors on the eastern side of Hong Kong island. Cable TV and other Hong Kong media reported at least one protester being wounded. Video footage showed a protester lying in a pool of blood. Chinese shares too faltered with the blue-chip CSI300 index down 1.3 per cent. South Korea's KOSPI lost 0.4 per cent. Japan's Nikkei gave up early gains to drift away from a recent 13-month high after data showed the country's core machinery orders fell for a third straight month. Australian shares bucked the downbeat trend, rising 0.55 per cent to a two-week high. That left MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan down 0.5 per cent. "The China-US trade war and the Hong Kong protest are combining to cast a negative pall on Asian markets today," said James McGlew, analyst at stockbroking firm Argonaut. "Hong Kong protests have been dragging on for a while and the view from the financial world is that it's really starting to bite now. The further this drags on it's certainly going to be very negative." In Asian hours on Monday, E-minis for the S&P500 were 0.25 per cent lower indicating a weak open later in the day. US bond markets are closed on Monday, but currency and equity markets are open. Gold, which rises during times of uncertainty, rebounded from a three-month low touched on Friday to be last up 0.3 per cent at $1,462.11 an ounce. In currencies, the Japanese yen gained on the dollar to 109.01 while the Australian dollar, a liquid gauge for risk, was off slightly at $0.6853. The dollar index was a touch softer at 98.33 while the euro ticked up to $1.1022. Market attention was also on the US-China trade talks. US President Donald Trump told reporters on Saturday that talks with China had moved more slowly than he would have liked, but added that Beijing wanted a deal more than he did. That was a more upbeat tone than just a few days earlier when he had stressed that the White House would not agree to a full rollback of existing tariffs, remarks that hit stock prices and the dollar. "Despite his bluster that 'China wants a trade deal more than I do', markets sense that Trump is likely quite keen to call a truce on what is becoming a serious U.S. economic risk heading into the 2020 election year," said David Bassanese, Sydney-based economist at Betashares. By the close of Wall Street on Friday, optimism had returned to the market as investors bet that Washington needs a deal and it is in the interest of China, too. All three major US indexes eked out record closing highs. The Dow inched up while the S&P 500 climbed 0.3 per cent and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.5 per cent. The record closing high by the S&P 500 was the fourth in six sessions. "It will be the US-China trade talks that will continue to dictate the daily swings in sentiment this week," said Jeffrey Halley, senior analyst at OANDA. Halley noted the negotiations were "starting to drag on in a disturbingly Brexit-like manner," referring to Britain's divorce deal with the European Union which is still up in the air almost three years after the country voted to leave the bloc. US officials said a lot of work remained to be done when Trump announced the outlines of an interim deal last month, and Beijing has since pushed back on US demands for big agricultural purchases, among other issues. Analysts said the outlook for equities was highly dependent on US economic data as a US-China trade agreement would help bolster manufacturing and industrial sectors. "The Hong Kong protests have seen a knee-jerk rotation out of risk positioning," OANDA's Halley said. "The effects are more likely to be passing than permanent...as long as the trade talks stay on target." Data on October US industrial production and retail sales, along with the National Federation of Independent Business's monthly small business survey, are scheduled for release this week. In commodities, benchmark Brent crude fell 57 cents to $61.94 a barrel while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped 48 cents to $56.76 a barrel.

Global Markets: Asian shares a sea of red as Hong Kong chaos hits sentiment

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 - November 10th, 2019

Tens of thousands of Hong Kongers packed into a park Saturday night to mourn a student who died during recent clashes as police arrested a group of pro-democracy lawmakers, deepening the city's political crisis.

The international finance hub has been upended by five months of huge and increasingly violent pro-democracy protests, but Beijing has refused to give in to most of the movement's demands.

Tensions have soared since the death on Friday of Alex Chow, 22, who succumbed to head injuries sustained during a fall as police skirmished with demonstrators inside a car park last weekend.

The huge rally -- one of the few in recent months to obtain police approval -- means Hong Kong has witnessed 24 weekends of protest in what has become the most profound challenge to Beijing's rule since the 1997 handover.

Many at the peaceful and sombre rally wore black.

"I want an independent inquiry because that proves Hong Kong is still a place with rule of law," a 35-year-old woman, who gave her surname Wong, told AFP, echoing the movement's core demand for an investigation into police tactics.

Wong, who said she moved to Hong Kong from the mainland three years ago, said she also wanted to see less confrontational tactics from hardcore protesters.

"I think non-violent ways can also win," she said.

Lawmaker arrests

The rally came after police brought charges against at least seven lawmakers who now face up to a year in jail if convicted.

Three were arrested overnight, three attended appointments on Saturday evening to be booked, and one refused to appear.

The charges relate to chaotic scenes that broke out within a legislative committee in May as pro-democracy lawmakers tried to stop a controversial bill being discussed that would allow extraditions to authoritarian mainland China.

At the time, city leader Carrie Lam was fast-tracking the bill through the legislature, a move that ignited record-breaking street protests in which millions marched.

"The protests that have been going on for five months are yet to finish but the government is already launching massive arrests of pro-democracy legislators in collaboration with the police," the lawmakers said in a joint statement.&nbsp;

Hong Kong's legislature is quasi-democratic, with half the seats popularly elected and the rest chosen by largely pro-Beijing committees, ensuring the chamber remains stacked with government loyalists.

Opposition to the government comes in the form of a small band of pro-democracy lawmakers who win their seats in local elections.

The lack of fully free elections -- and especially the fact that the city's leader is appointed by a pro-Beijing committee -- has fuelled years of protests that have culminated in the latest unrest.

Chow's death has only intensified the tinderbox atmosphere in what has become a deeply polarised city, with violence escalating on both sides of the ideological divide. &nbsp;

Although the precise chain of events leading to his fall is unclear and disputed, protesters have made alleged police brutality one of their movement's rallying cries and have seized on the death.

Police have repeatedly denied any allegations of wrongdoing in relation to Chow's death.

Vigils on Friday night saw large crowds and frequent clashes with police in multiple neighbourhoods, including one officer firing a live warning shot.

Upcoming local elections

The city is holding district council elections on 24 November with the pro-Beijing camp bracing for heavy defeats.

Since this summer's pro-democracy protests kicked off, voter registration has soared and the pro-democracy camp is fielding candidates in every constituency for the first time.

But there are also concerns the elections could be called off given the spiralling violence.

On Wednesday, one of the city's most stridently pro-Beijing politicians was wounded in a knife attack by a man who pretended to be a supporter.&nbsp;

That assault came three days after a Mandarin-speaking man shouting pro-Beijing slogans knifed at least three pro-democracy protesters and bit off the ear of a local district councillor.

Pro-democracy lawmakers called for demonstrators not to give the government an excuse to cancel the elections because of the violence.

"The district council election is a de facto referendum, in which all Hong Kong people can respond to the social problems, the unjust governance and the police brutality triggered by the extradition bill," lawmaker Tanya Chan said on Saturday.

But further unrest seems likely given that the protest movement is largely organised online by activists who favour confrontations with the police who are themselves responding with increasingly hardcore tactics as each month

Tens of thousands of Hong Kongers packed into a park Saturday night to mourn a student who died during recent clashes as police arrested a group of pro-democracy lawmakers, deepening the city's political crisis.

Tens of thousands of Hong Kongers packed into a park Saturday night to mourn a student who died during recent clashes as police arrested a group of pro-democracy lawmakers, deepening the city's political crisis. The international finance hub has been upended by five months of huge and increasingly violent pro-democracy protests, but Beijing has refused to give in to most of the movement's demands. Tensions have soared since the death on Friday of Alex Chow, 22, who succumbed to head injuries sustained during a fall as police skirmished with demonstrators inside a car park last weekend. The huge rally -- one of the few in recent months to obtain police approval -- means Hong Kong has witnessed 24 weekends of protest in what has become the most profound challenge to Beijing's rule since the 1997 handover. Many at the peaceful and sombre rally wore black. "I want an independent inquiry because that proves Hong Kong is still a place with rule of law," a 35-year-old woman, who gave her surname Wong, told AFP, echoing the movement's core demand for an investigation into police tactics. Wong, who said she moved to Hong Kong from the mainland three years ago, said she also wanted to see less confrontational tactics from hardcore protesters. "I think non-violent ways can also win," she said. Lawmaker arrests The rally came after police brought charges against at least seven lawmakers who now face up to a year in jail if convicted. Three were arrested overnight, three attended appointments on Saturday evening to be booked, and one refused to appear. The charges relate to chaotic scenes that broke out within a legislative committee in May as pro-democracy lawmakers tried to stop a controversial bill being discussed that would allow extraditions to authoritarian mainland China. At the time, city leader Carrie Lam was fast-tracking the bill through the legislature, a move that ignited record-breaking street protests in which millions marched. "The protests that have been going on for five months are yet to finish but the government is already launching massive arrests of pro-democracy legislators in collaboration with the police," the lawmakers said in a joint statement. Hong Kong's legislature is quasi-democratic, with half the seats popularly elected and the rest chosen by largely pro-Beijing committees, ensuring the chamber remains stacked with government loyalists. Opposition to the government comes in the form of a small band of pro-democracy lawmakers who win their seats in local elections. The lack of fully free elections -- and especially the fact that the city's leader is appointed by a pro-Beijing committee -- has fuelled years of protests that have culminated in the latest unrest. Chow's death has only intensified the tinderbox atmosphere in what has become a deeply polarised city, with violence escalating on both sides of the ideological divide. Although the precise chain of events leading to his fall is unclear and disputed, protesters have made alleged police brutality one of their movement's rallying cries and have seized on the death. Police have repeatedly denied any allegations of wrongdoing in relation to Chow's death. Vigils on Friday night saw large crowds and frequent clashes with police in multiple neighbourhoods, including one officer firing a live warning shot. Upcoming local elections The city is holding district council elections on 24 November with the pro-Beijing camp bracing for heavy defeats. Since this summer's pro-democracy protests kicked off, voter registration has soared and the pro-democracy camp is fielding candidates in every constituency for the first time. But there are also concerns the elections could be called off given the spiralling violence. On Wednesday, one of the city's most stridently pro-Beijing politicians was wounded in a knife attack by a man who pretended to be a supporter. That assault came three days after a Mandarin-speaking man shouting pro-Beijing slogans knifed at least three pro-democracy protesters and bit off the ear of a local district councillor. Pro-democracy lawmakers called for demonstrators not to give the government an excuse to cancel the elections because of the violence. "The district council election is a de facto referendum, in which all Hong Kong people can respond to the social problems, the unjust governance and the police brutality triggered by the extradition bill," lawmaker Tanya Chan said on Saturday. But further unrest seems likely given that the protest movement is largely organised online by activists who favour confrontations with the police who are themselves responding with increasingly hardcore tactics as each month

Huge Hong Kong rally after student dies and lawmakers arrested

Hong Kong's police watchdog is unequipped to investigate the force's handling of months of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-fire-tear-gas-on-24th-weekend-of-unrest-261153">pro-democracy protests</a>, a panel of international experts appointed by the city's own government has found.

The embarrassing verdict came as fresh unrest broke out on Sunday with activists and police clashing in multiple neighbourhoods after protesters held flashmob protests and vandalism sprees inside malls.

In one incident broadcast live on Now TV, an officer fired a tear gas canister from a moving police van at people who were heckling law enforcement from a pedestrian bridge in the district of Tsuen Wan.&nbsp;

The projectile struck a female reporter for the channel, leaving an angry welt on her arm.

A group of masked protesters also trashed a Chinese banquet restaurant run by a conglomerate that has been repeatedly targeted by activists because the owner's daughter has praised the police and Beijing.&nbsp;

Water cannon was used on Sunday evening against protesters who blocked roads in Mongkok district, which has seen frequent clashes.

Hong Kong has been upended by five months of huge and increasingly violent rallies, but Beijing has refused to give in to most of the movement's demands.

One of the core demands, alongside fully free elections,&nbsp;is an independent enquiry into the police, who have been left to battle protesters for 24 consecutive weeks and are now loathed by large chunks of the deeply polarised population.

City leader Carrie Lam has repeatedly dismissed an independent probe, saying the current watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC),&nbsp;is up to the job.

Protesters argue the IPCC lacks adequate investigatory powers, is stacked with pro-establishment figures and has previously been toothless when it comes to holding the police to account.

'Shortfall'

In September, the IPCC announced it had asked a panel of independent experts to provide advice.

Chaired by Sir Dennis O'Connor, who was tasked by the UK government to look at police tactics following the 2011 London riots, the panel includes policing specialists from Britain, New Zealand and Canada.

It has now issued a damning assessment of the IPCC's ability to investigate such a long summer of unrest and suggested a fully independent enquiry would be better suited for the task.

The report, dated November 8, found "a shortfall in IPCC powers, capacity and independent investigative capability necessary to match the scale of events and the standards required of an international police watchdog operating in a city that values freedoms and rights".

The panel said if resources were enhanced, the IPCC might be able to issue an interim report "with limited, but sufficient facts" on the cause of the protests and the handling by authorities.

But it also said there was "a compelling case" for a "deeper more comprehensive enquiry... by an independent body with requisite powers".

The report was not available on the IPCC's website.

But it was posted on Twitter late Saturday by one of the panel members, UK-based academic Clifford Stott.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huge-hong-kong-rally-after-student-dies-and-lawmakers-arrested-261105">The Hong Kong government</a> declined to address the findings directly but said the IPCC should be given time to do its investigation.&nbsp;

'Damning' statement

The panel's conclusion is an embarrassment for Lam as she battles record-low approval ratings and tries to face down calls for an independent enquiry.

"For them to come out with a statement effectively saying that IPCC is not up to the task is quite damning and only reinforces the urgency of an independent enquiry," Antony Dapiran, a Hong Kong-based lawyer who wrote a book about the city's pro-democracy movement, told AFP.

Beijing and Lam appear determined to wait out the protests and have shown little appetite for any further compromises.&nbsp;

Over the weekend a senior party official in Beijing called for Hong Kong to implement tough national security laws, an issue that sparked massive protests in 2003.&nbsp;

While crowd numbers are smaller than earlier this summer when millions marched, rallies and increasingly violent clashes are still a weekly occurrence.

Tensions soared this week when a 22-year-old student died from a fall during clashes with police in unclear and disputed circumstances.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-pro-democracy-lawmakers-arrested-as-tensions-soar-260957">Tens of thousands of people</a> attended a peaceful vigil Saturday evening, one of the few large gatherings in recent months to be granted police permission.

Protesters have called for a general strike on Monday but it is unclear whether they will be able to muster enough numbers to create the kind of transport paralysis caused by widespread strikes in the summer.

Hong Kong's police watchdog is unequipped to investigate the force's handling of months of pro-democracy protests, a panel of international experts appointed by the city's own government has found.

Hong Kong's police watchdog is unequipped to investigate the force's handling of months of pro-democracy protests, a panel of international experts appointed by the city's own government has found. The embarrassing verdict came as fresh unrest broke out on Sunday with activists and police clashing in multiple neighbourhoods after protesters held flashmob protests and vandalism sprees inside malls. In one incident broadcast live on Now TV, an officer fired a tear gas canister from a moving police van at people who were heckling law enforcement from a pedestrian bridge in the district of Tsuen Wan. The projectile struck a female reporter for the channel, leaving an angry welt on her arm. A group of masked protesters also trashed a Chinese banquet restaurant run by a conglomerate that has been repeatedly targeted by activists because the owner's daughter has praised the police and Beijing. Water cannon was used on Sunday evening against protesters who blocked roads in Mongkok district, which has seen frequent clashes. Hong Kong has been upended by five months of huge and increasingly violent rallies, but Beijing has refused to give in to most of the movement's demands. One of the core demands, alongside fully free elections, is an independent enquiry into the police, who have been left to battle protesters for 24 consecutive weeks and are now loathed by large chunks of the deeply polarised population. City leader Carrie Lam has repeatedly dismissed an independent probe, saying the current watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), is up to the job. Protesters argue the IPCC lacks adequate investigatory powers, is stacked with pro-establishment figures and has previously been toothless when it comes to holding the police to account. 'Shortfall' In September, the IPCC announced it had asked a panel of independent experts to provide advice. Chaired by Sir Dennis O'Connor, who was tasked by the UK government to look at police tactics following the 2011 London riots, the panel includes policing specialists from Britain, New Zealand and Canada. It has now issued a damning assessment of the IPCC's ability to investigate such a long summer of unrest and suggested a fully independent enquiry would be better suited for the task. The report, dated November 8, found "a shortfall in IPCC powers, capacity and independent investigative capability necessary to match the scale of events and the standards required of an international police watchdog operating in a city that values freedoms and rights". The panel said if resources were enhanced, the IPCC might be able to issue an interim report "with limited, but sufficient facts" on the cause of the protests and the handling by authorities. But it also said there was "a compelling case" for a "deeper more comprehensive enquiry... by an independent body with requisite powers". The report was not available on the IPCC's website. But it was posted on Twitter late Saturday by one of the panel members, UK-based academic Clifford Stott. The Hong Kong government declined to address the findings directly but said the IPCC should be given time to do its investigation. 'Damning' statement The panel's conclusion is an embarrassment for Lam as she battles record-low approval ratings and tries to face down calls for an independent enquiry. "For them to come out with a statement effectively saying that IPCC is not up to the task is quite damning and only reinforces the urgency of an independent enquiry," Antony Dapiran, a Hong Kong-based lawyer who wrote a book about the city's pro-democracy movement, told AFP. Beijing and Lam appear determined to wait out the protests and have shown little appetite for any further compromises. Over the weekend a senior party official in Beijing called for Hong Kong to implement tough national security laws, an issue that sparked massive protests in 2003. While crowd numbers are smaller than earlier this summer when millions marched, rallies and increasingly violent clashes are still a weekly occurrence. Tensions soared this week when a 22-year-old student died from a fall during clashes with police in unclear and disputed circumstances. Tens of thousands of people attended a peaceful vigil Saturday evening, one of the few large gatherings in recent months to be granted police permission. Protesters have called for a general strike on Monday but it is unclear whether they will be able to muster enough numbers to create the kind of transport paralysis caused by widespread strikes in the summer.

Hong Kong police watchdog unequipped to probe own force's handling of protests: Report

Hong Kong police fired tear gas to break up pro-democracy protesters in the western district of Tsuen Wan on Sunday as violence broke out in the New Territories on the 24th straight weekend of unrest.

Protesters vandalised a train station in the central new town of Sha Tin a day after burning plastic barriers in Tsuen Wan, just two weeks before planned district council elections, the lowest tier of voting in the Chinese-ruled city.

Now TV showed pictures of a huge red welt on the upper arm of one of its reporters who said she had been hit by a tear gas canister in Tsuen Wan.

The rail station was closed in Sha Tin on a day of planned shopping mall protests throughout the territory. Shopping districts across the harbour on the main island were quiet.

Last weekend, anti-government protesters crowded into a shopping mall when a man slashed people with a knife and bit off part of a politician's ear.

The protesters are furious at what they see as police brutality and meddling by Beijing in the former British colony's freedoms, guaranteed by the "one country, two systems" formula in place since it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

China denies interfering in Hong Kong and has blamed Western countries for stirring up trouble.

Thousands of people gathered on Saturday night at a vigil for "martyrs", after a student died in hospital this week following a high fall.

Though the vigil ended peacefully, many attendees called for revenge after the student's death from injuries sustained during a protest.

Seven pro-democracy city lawmakers have been detained or face arrest and are due to appear in court on Monday on charges of obstructing a May meeting of the local assembly, police and several of the lawmakers said.

"We believe that the government together with the police, as well as the pro-establishment camp, they are trying to escalate the anger of Hong Kong people in order to cancel or even to postpone the upcoming district council election," Tanya Chan, a pro-democracy lawmaker, told reporters on Saturday.

One of the arrested lawmakers, Gary Fan, said the detentions were the result of "political prosecutions and judicial crackdowns" by Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam.

The elections are due on November&nbsp;24

Protesters have also called for a general strike on Monday and for people to block public transport, although such calls in the past have often come to nothing.

Protesters have thrown petrol bombs and rocks at police who have responded with tear gas, pepper spray, water cannon, rubber bullets and several rounds of live ammunition. They deny using excessive force.

Hong Kong police fired tear gas to break up pro-democracy protesters in the western district of Tsuen Wan on Sunday as violence broke out in the New Territories on the 24th straight weekend of unrest.

Hong Kong police fired tear gas to break up pro-democracy protesters in the western district of Tsuen Wan on Sunday as violence broke out in the New Territories on the 24th straight weekend of unrest. Protesters vandalised a train station in the central new town of Sha Tin a day after burning plastic barriers in Tsuen Wan, just two weeks before planned district council elections, the lowest tier of voting in the Chinese-ruled city. Now TV showed pictures of a huge red welt on the upper arm of one of its reporters who said she had been hit by a tear gas canister in Tsuen Wan. The rail station was closed in Sha Tin on a day of planned shopping mall protests throughout the territory. Shopping districts across the harbour on the main island were quiet. Last weekend, anti-government protesters crowded into a shopping mall when a man slashed people with a knife and bit off part of a politician's ear. The protesters are furious at what they see as police brutality and meddling by Beijing in the former British colony's freedoms, guaranteed by the "one country, two systems" formula in place since it returned to Chinese rule in 1997. China denies interfering in Hong Kong and has blamed Western countries for stirring up trouble. Thousands of people gathered on Saturday night at a vigil for "martyrs", after a student died in hospital this week following a high fall. Though the vigil ended peacefully, many attendees called for revenge after the student's death from injuries sustained during a protest. Seven pro-democracy city lawmakers have been detained or face arrest and are due to appear in court on Monday on charges of obstructing a May meeting of the local assembly, police and several of the lawmakers said. "We believe that the government together with the police, as well as the pro-establishment camp, they are trying to escalate the anger of Hong Kong people in order to cancel or even to postpone the upcoming district council election," Tanya Chan, a pro-democracy lawmaker, told reporters on Saturday. One of the arrested lawmakers, Gary Fan, said the detentions were the result of "political prosecutions and judicial crackdowns" by Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam. The elections are due on November 24 Protesters have also called for a general strike on Monday and for people to block public transport, although such calls in the past have often come to nothing. Protesters have thrown petrol bombs and rocks at police who have responded with tear gas, pepper spray, water cannon, rubber bullets and several rounds of live ammunition. They deny using excessive force.

Hong Kong police fire tear gas on 24th weekend of unrest

Hong Kong police said Saturday they have arrested three pro-democracy lawmakers over a brawl in parliament, deepening the city's crisis a day after the death of a student sent tensions soaring.

The international finance hub has been upended by five months of huge and increasingly violent pro-democracy protests but Beijing has refused to give in to most of the movement's demands.

With the city bracing for a 24th consecutive weekend of rallies, police brought charges against three key pro-democracy lawmakers while four other lawmakers said they had been ordered to attend a police station later Saturday to be booked.&nbsp;

They face up to a year in jail if convicted.&nbsp;

The charges relate to chaotic scenes that broke out within a legislative committee in May as pro-democracy lawmakers tried to stop a controversial bill being discussed that would allow extraditions to authoritarian mainland China.&nbsp;

At the time, city leader Carrie Lam was fast-tracking the bill through the legislature, a move that went on to ignite record-breaking street protests in which millions marched.

"The protests that have been going on for five months are yet to finish but the government is already launching massive arrests of pro-democracy legislators in collaboration with the police," the lawmakers said in a joint statement.&nbsp;

- 'Right here waiting' -&nbsp; 
One of the lawmakers said he would refuse to turn himself in. &nbsp;

"If you are accusing me of violating laws in the Legislative Council, come here and arrest me. I will be right here waiting," Lam Cheuk-ting told reporters at a joint press conference.

Hong Kong's legislature is quasi-democratic, with half the seats popularly elected and the rest chosen by largely pro-Beijing committees, ensuring the chamber remains stacked with government loyalists.

Opposition to the government comes in the form of a small band of pro-democracy lawmakers who win their seats in local elections.

The lack of fully free elections -- and especially the fact that the city's leader is appointed by a pro-Beijing committee -- has fuelled years of protests that have culminated in the latest unrest.

The tinderbox atmosphere intensified on Friday after 22-year-old student Alex Chow died from a fall during recent clashes with police.

Although the precise chain of events leading to his fall are unclear and disputed, protesters have made alleged police brutality one of their movement's rallying cries and have seized on the death.

Thousands attended candlelight vigils on Friday evening while police fought cat and mouse battles with flashmob protesters who blocked roads, burned barricades and vandalised subway station entrances in multiple neighbourhoods.&nbsp;

In one incident, an officer fired a live warning shot as his unit faced off with protesters throwing projectiles.

Upcoming local elections

The city is holding district council elections on 24 November with the pro-Beijing camp bracing for heavy defeats.

Since this summer's pro-democracy protests kicked off, voter registration has soared and the pro-democracy camp is fielding candidates in every constituency for the first time.

But there are also concerns the elections could be called off given the spiralling violence.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, one of the city's most stridently pro-Beijing politicians was wounded in a knife attack by a man who pretended to be a supporter.&nbsp;

That assault came three days after a Mandarin-speaking man shouting pro-Beijing slogans knifed at least three pro-democracy protesters and bit off the ear of a local district councillor.

Pro-democracy lawmakers called for protesters not to give the government an excuse to cancel the elections because of the violence.&nbsp;

"The district council election is a de facto referendum, in which all Hong Kong people can respond to the social problems, the unjust governance and the police brutality triggered by the extradition bill," lawmaker Tanya Chan said on Saturday.

But further unrest seems likely given that the protest movement is largely organised online by activists who favour confrontations with the police who are themselves responding with increasingly hardcore tactics as each month passes.&nbsp;

Police have repeatedly denied any allegations of wrongdoing in relation to Chow's death.

Rallies and prayer vigils are expected on Saturday and Sunday evening and there have been calls for a general strike on Monday.

Hong Kong police said Saturday they have arrested three pro-democracy lawmakers over a brawl in parliament, deepening the city's crisis a day after the death of a student sent tensions soaring.

Hong Kong police said Saturday they have arrested three pro-democracy lawmakers over a brawl in parliament, deepening the city's crisis a day after the death of a student sent tensions soaring. The international finance hub has been upended by five months of huge and increasingly violent pro-democracy protests but Beijing has refused to give in to most of the movement's demands. With the city bracing for a 24th consecutive weekend of rallies, police brought charges against three key pro-democracy lawmakers while four other lawmakers said they had been ordered to attend a police station later Saturday to be booked. They face up to a year in jail if convicted. The charges relate to chaotic scenes that broke out within a legislative committee in May as pro-democracy lawmakers tried to stop a controversial bill being discussed that would allow extraditions to authoritarian mainland China. At the time, city leader Carrie Lam was fast-tracking the bill through the legislature, a move that went on to ignite record-breaking street protests in which millions marched. "The protests that have been going on for five months are yet to finish but the government is already launching massive arrests of pro-democracy legislators in collaboration with the police," the lawmakers said in a joint statement. - 'Right here waiting' - One of the lawmakers said he would refuse to turn himself in. "If you are accusing me of violating laws in the Legislative Council, come here and arrest me. I will be right here waiting," Lam Cheuk-ting told reporters at a joint press conference. Hong Kong's legislature is quasi-democratic, with half the seats popularly elected and the rest chosen by largely pro-Beijing committees, ensuring the chamber remains stacked with government loyalists. Opposition to the government comes in the form of a small band of pro-democracy lawmakers who win their seats in local elections. The lack of fully free elections -- and especially the fact that the city's leader is appointed by a pro-Beijing committee -- has fuelled years of protests that have culminated in the latest unrest. The tinderbox atmosphere intensified on Friday after 22-year-old student Alex Chow died from a fall during recent clashes with police. Although the precise chain of events leading to his fall are unclear and disputed, protesters have made alleged police brutality one of their movement's rallying cries and have seized on the death. Thousands attended candlelight vigils on Friday evening while police fought cat and mouse battles with flashmob protesters who blocked roads, burned barricades and vandalised subway station entrances in multiple neighbourhoods. In one incident, an officer fired a live warning shot as his unit faced off with protesters throwing projectiles. Upcoming local elections The city is holding district council elections on 24 November with the pro-Beijing camp bracing for heavy defeats. Since this summer's pro-democracy protests kicked off, voter registration has soared and the pro-democracy camp is fielding candidates in every constituency for the first time. But there are also concerns the elections could be called off given the spiralling violence. On Wednesday, one of the city's most stridently pro-Beijing politicians was wounded in a knife attack by a man who pretended to be a supporter. That assault came three days after a Mandarin-speaking man shouting pro-Beijing slogans knifed at least three pro-democracy protesters and bit off the ear of a local district councillor. Pro-democracy lawmakers called for protesters not to give the government an excuse to cancel the elections because of the violence. "The district council election is a de facto referendum, in which all Hong Kong people can respond to the social problems, the unjust governance and the police brutality triggered by the extradition bill," lawmaker Tanya Chan said on Saturday. But further unrest seems likely given that the protest movement is largely organised online by activists who favour confrontations with the police who are themselves responding with increasingly hardcore tactics as each month passes. Police have repeatedly denied any allegations of wrongdoing in relation to Chow's death. Rallies and prayer vigils are expected on Saturday and Sunday evening and there have been calls for a general strike on Monday.

Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers arrested as tensions soar

A student at a Hong Kong university who fell during protests at the weekend died early on Friday morning, marking the first student death during the anti-government demonstrations that have roiled the city and set the stage for fresh unrest.

The Hospital Authority confirmed that Chow Tsz-lok, 22, an undergraduate student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, had died of injuries.

Chow's death is expected to spark fresh protests and fuel anger and resentment against the police, who are already under immense pressure amid accusations of excessive force as the city grapples with its worst political crisis in decades.

Demonstrators had thronged the hospital over this week to pray for Chow, leaving flowers and hundreds of get well messages on walls and notice boards inside the building. Students also staged rallies at universities across the former British colony.

"Wake up soon. Remember we need to meet under the LegCo," said one message, referring to the territory's Legislative Council, one of the targets of the protest rallies. "There are still lots of things for you to experience in your life."

Another read: "Please add oil and stay well," a slogan meaning "keep your strength up" that has become a rallying cry of the protest movement.

Students and young people have been at the forefront of the hundreds of thousands who have taken to the streets since June to press for greater democracy, among other demands, and rally against perceived Chinese meddling in the Asian financial hub.

The circumstances of how Chow received his injuries were unclear but police said he was believed to have fallen from one floor to another in a parking lot during weekend crowd dispersal operations in a district east of the Kowloon peninsula.

The protests, ignited by a now-scrapped extradition bill for people to be sent to mainland China for trial, have evolved into wider calls for democracy, posing one of the biggest challenges for Chinese President Xi Jinping since he took charge in 2012.

Protesters have thrown petrol bombs and vandalised banks, stores and metro stations, while police have fired rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannon and, in some cases, live ammunition in scenes of chaos.

In June, Marco Leung, 35, fell to his death from construction scaffolding after unfurling banners against the extradition bill. Several young people who have taken their own lives in recent months have been linked to the protests.

Fresh rallies

Notices circulated on social media prior to Chow's death said students planned a march on Friday at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Others called for people to rally at 1200 GMT at the site where Chow fell.

Schools also plan a rally in the eastern district of Kwun Tong, protesters said in advertisements.

Protests scheduled over the weekend include 'Shopping Sunday' centred on prominent shopping malls, some of which have previously descended into chaos as riot police stormed areas crowded with families and children.

Last weekend, anti-government protesters crowded a shopping mall in running clashes with police that saw a man slash people with a knife and bite off part of the ear of a local politician.

Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula, allowing it colonial freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including an independent judiciary and the right to protest.

China denies interfering in Hong Kong and has blamed Western countries for stirring up trouble.

A student at a Hong Kong university who fell during protests at the weekend died early on Friday morning, marking the first student death during the anti-government demonstrations that have roiled the city and set the stage for fresh unrest.

A student at a Hong Kong university who fell during protests at the weekend died early on Friday morning, marking the first student death during the anti-government demonstrations that have roiled the city and set the stage for fresh unrest. The Hospital Authority confirmed that Chow Tsz-lok, 22, an undergraduate student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, had died of injuries. Chow's death is expected to spark fresh protests and fuel anger and resentment against the police, who are already under immense pressure amid accusations of excessive force as the city grapples with its worst political crisis in decades. Demonstrators had thronged the hospital over this week to pray for Chow, leaving flowers and hundreds of get well messages on walls and notice boards inside the building. Students also staged rallies at universities across the former British colony. "Wake up soon. Remember we need to meet under the LegCo," said one message, referring to the territory's Legislative Council, one of the targets of the protest rallies. "There are still lots of things for you to experience in your life." Another read: "Please add oil and stay well," a slogan meaning "keep your strength up" that has become a rallying cry of the protest movement. Students and young people have been at the forefront of the hundreds of thousands who have taken to the streets since June to press for greater democracy, among other demands, and rally against perceived Chinese meddling in the Asian financial hub. The circumstances of how Chow received his injuries were unclear but police said he was believed to have fallen from one floor to another in a parking lot during weekend crowd dispersal operations in a district east of the Kowloon peninsula. The protests, ignited by a now-scrapped extradition bill for people to be sent to mainland China for trial, have evolved into wider calls for democracy, posing one of the biggest challenges for Chinese President Xi Jinping since he took charge in 2012. Protesters have thrown petrol bombs and vandalised banks, stores and metro stations, while police have fired rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannon and, in some cases, live ammunition in scenes of chaos. In June, Marco Leung, 35, fell to his death from construction scaffolding after unfurling banners against the extradition bill. Several young people who have taken their own lives in recent months have been linked to the protests. Fresh rallies Notices circulated on social media prior to Chow's death said students planned a march on Friday at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Others called for people to rally at 1200 GMT at the site where Chow fell. Schools also plan a rally in the eastern district of Kwun Tong, protesters said in advertisements. Protests scheduled over the weekend include 'Shopping Sunday' centred on prominent shopping malls, some of which have previously descended into chaos as riot police stormed areas crowded with families and children. Last weekend, anti-government protesters crowded a shopping mall in running clashes with police that saw a man slash people with a knife and bite off part of the ear of a local politician. Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula, allowing it colonial freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including an independent judiciary and the right to protest. China denies interfering in Hong Kong and has blamed Western countries for stirring up trouble.

Hong Kong student who fell during protests dies, fresh unrest likely

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/guy-fawkes-the-global-symbol-of-protest-to-take-over-hong-kong-streets-260105">Hong Kong</a> protesters marked Friday's death of a university student injured in a high fall during a pro-democracy rally this week with candlelight vigils and now-familiar street clashes across the Chinese-ruled territory.

The centre of violence appeared to be on Nathan Road, in the Kowloon district of Mong Kok, one of the most densely populated locations in the world, where activists set street fires, built barricades and trashed an entrance to the metro station.

Chow Tsz-lok, who studied at the University of Science and Technology (UST), fell on Monday from the third to the second floor of a parking lot when protesters were being dispersed by police. It was the first student death in months of rallies.

Chow, 22, died on graduation day for many UST students. His death is likely to fuel anger at police, who are under pressure over accusations of excessive force as the former British colony grapples with its worst political crisis in decades.

UST students trashed a campus branch of Starbucks, part of a franchise perceived to be pro-Beijing, and rallies are expected across the territory over the weekend.

"Condemn police brutality," they wrote on the restaurant's glass wall.

Hundreds of students, most in masks and carrying candles, then lined up in silence at UST to lay white flowers in tribute to Chow.

Thousands also left flowers at the spot where he fell at the car park in Tseung Kwan O, to the east of the Kowloon peninsula, occasionally singing hymns. Some people initiated a chant of "Hong Kong people, revenge" but were stopped by others saying: "We are not here to protest."

In the shopping district of Causeway Bay, hundreds lined the streets in silence, with the eerie hum of the city in the background.

Then the mood changed.

People started shouting abuse at "black police", referring to perceived brutality, and blocked streets in Causeway Bay.

In Mong Kok, dozens of activists barricaded off Nathan Road, which leads to the harbour to the south. They vandalised a closed metro entrance, throwing in bricks and pouring oil through the metal grill, and destroyed a phone booth in a small explosion. There were clashes in the New Territories town of Sha Tin.

Chow's friend and fellow UST student, Ben, 25, said the computer science undergraduate liked playing netball and basketball.

"We played netball together for a year," he told Reuters in tears. "I hope he can rest in peace. I really miss him."

Spiral of violence

Students and young people have been at the forefront of the hundreds of thousands who have taken to the streets since June to seek greater democracy, among other demands, and rally against perceived <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/as-violence-flares-in-hong-kong-a-look-at-controversial-anti-mask-ban-253884">Chinese meddling in the Asian financial hub</a>.

The protests were ignited by a now-scrapped extradition bill allowing people to be sent to mainland China for trial, but have evolved into wider calls for democracy. They pose one of the biggest challenges for Chinese President Xi Jinping since he took charge in 2012.

Two pro-Beijing newspapers ran full-page ads, commissioned by "a group of Hong Kong people," calling for a postponement of the lowest-tier district council elections set for Nov.24, a move that would infuriate those calling for democracy.

Since June, protesters have thrown petrol bombs and vandalised banks, stores and metro stations. Police have fired rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons and, in some cases, live ammunition.

In June, Marco Leung, 35, fell to his death from construction scaffolding after unfurling banners against the extradition bill. Several young people who have taken their own lives have been linked to the protests.

The university called for an independent investigation into Chow's death, saying an ambulance was blocked by police cars and ambulance officers had to walk to the scene, causing a delay of 20 minutes.

The government expressed "great sorrow and regret". A police spokeswoman, tears in her eyes, said officers would find out the truth as soon as possible and urged the public to be "calm and rational".

Police have denied blocking an ambulance. The car park said it would release CCTV footage as soon as possible.

Protests scheduled over the weekend include rallies in shopping malls, some of which have previously descended into chaos as riot police stormed areas crowded with families and children. Protesters have called for a general strike on Monday morning and for people to block public transport. Such calls have come to nothing in the past.

Last weekend, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/the-colonial-era-law-that-gives-hong-kong-leader-sweeping-powers-253741">anti-government protesters</a> crowded a shopping mall in running clashes with police that saw a man slash people with a knife and bite off part of the ear of a local politician.

Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula, allowing it colonial freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including an independent judiciary and the right to protest.

China denies interfering in Hong Kong and has blamed Western countries for stirring up trouble.

Hong Kong protesters marked Friday's death of a university student injured in a high fall during a pro-democracy rally this week with candlelight vigils and now-familiar street clashes across the Chinese-ruled territory.

Hong Kong protesters marked Friday's death of a university student injured in a high fall during a pro-democracy rally this week with candlelight vigils and now-familiar street clashes across the Chinese-ruled territory. The centre of violence appeared to be on Nathan Road, in the Kowloon district of Mong Kok, one of the most densely populated locations in the world, where activists set street fires, built barricades and trashed an entrance to the metro station. Chow Tsz-lok, who studied at the University of Science and Technology (UST), fell on Monday from the third to the second floor of a parking lot when protesters were being dispersed by police. It was the first student death in months of rallies. Chow, 22, died on graduation day for many UST students. His death is likely to fuel anger at police, who are under pressure over accusations of excessive force as the former British colony grapples with its worst political crisis in decades. UST students trashed a campus branch of Starbucks, part of a franchise perceived to be pro-Beijing, and rallies are expected across the territory over the weekend. "Condemn police brutality," they wrote on the restaurant's glass wall. Hundreds of students, most in masks and carrying candles, then lined up in silence at UST to lay white flowers in tribute to Chow. Thousands also left flowers at the spot where he fell at the car park in Tseung Kwan O, to the east of the Kowloon peninsula, occasionally singing hymns. Some people initiated a chant of "Hong Kong people, revenge" but were stopped by others saying: "We are not here to protest." In the shopping district of Causeway Bay, hundreds lined the streets in silence, with the eerie hum of the city in the background. Then the mood changed. People started shouting abuse at "black police", referring to perceived brutality, and blocked streets in Causeway Bay. In Mong Kok, dozens of activists barricaded off Nathan Road, which leads to the harbour to the south. They vandalised a closed metro entrance, throwing in bricks and pouring oil through the metal grill, and destroyed a phone booth in a small explosion. There were clashes in the New Territories town of Sha Tin. Chow's friend and fellow UST student, Ben, 25, said the computer science undergraduate liked playing netball and basketball. "We played netball together for a year," he told Reuters in tears. "I hope he can rest in peace. I really miss him." Spiral of violence Students and young people have been at the forefront of the hundreds of thousands who have taken to the streets since June to seek greater democracy, among other demands, and rally against perceived Chinese meddling in the Asian financial hub. The protests were ignited by a now-scrapped extradition bill allowing people to be sent to mainland China for trial, but have evolved into wider calls for democracy. They pose one of the biggest challenges for Chinese President Xi Jinping since he took charge in 2012. Two pro-Beijing newspapers ran full-page ads, commissioned by "a group of Hong Kong people," calling for a postponement of the lowest-tier district council elections set for Nov.24, a move that would infuriate those calling for democracy. Since June, protesters have thrown petrol bombs and vandalised banks, stores and metro stations. Police have fired rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons and, in some cases, live ammunition. In June, Marco Leung, 35, fell to his death from construction scaffolding after unfurling banners against the extradition bill. Several young people who have taken their own lives have been linked to the protests. The university called for an independent investigation into Chow's death, saying an ambulance was blocked by police cars and ambulance officers had to walk to the scene, causing a delay of 20 minutes. The government expressed "great sorrow and regret". A police spokeswoman, tears in her eyes, said officers would find out the truth as soon as possible and urged the public to be "calm and rational". Police have denied blocking an ambulance. The car park said it would release CCTV footage as soon as possible. Protests scheduled over the weekend include rallies in shopping malls, some of which have previously descended into chaos as riot police stormed areas crowded with families and children. Protesters have called for a general strike on Monday morning and for people to block public transport. Such calls have come to nothing in the past. Last weekend, anti-government protesters crowded a shopping mall in running clashes with police that saw a man slash people with a knife and bite off part of the ear of a local politician. Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula, allowing it colonial freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including an independent judiciary and the right to protest. China denies interfering in Hong Kong and has blamed Western countries for stirring up trouble.

Hong Kong vigils for dead student become violent as activists set streets ablaze

China has slammed radical protesters in Hong Kong as "mobsters" using violence to influence upcoming local elections after a pro-Beijing lawmaker was injured in a stabbing.

The international finance hub has been shaken by five months of huge and increasingly violent protests calling for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability.

With Beijing and Hong Kong's unpopular leader Carrie Lam refusing to offer a political solution to the protesters' grievances, violence has spiralled on both sides of the ideological divide.

In the latest incident, a man holding a bouquet approached pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho on Wednesday morning as the politician was campaigning in his constituency near the border with China.

The attack was "not only a serious criminal act but also pure election violence," Xu Luying, spokeswoman for the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of China's central government, said Thursday, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Xu said radical protesters in Hong Kong "intend to create a 'chilling effect' by threatening and intimidating their candidates and their supporters", in order to "affect the election results of the district councils and realise their purpose of seizing political power".

Xu also called for "strong punishment" against violence in Hong Kong and for a "fair, just, safe and orderly environment" for the district elections, set to be held on November 24.

In October, democracy activist Joshua Wong was barred from contesting a seat in the upcoming polls.

An election officer had ruled that the concept of self-determination advocated by Wong's party, Demosisto, contradicted the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution.

China has slammed radical protesters in Hong Kong as "mobsters" using violence to influence upcoming local elections after a pro-Beijing lawmaker was injured in a stabbing.

China has slammed radical protesters in Hong Kong as "mobsters" using violence to influence upcoming local elections after a pro-Beijing lawmaker was injured in a stabbing. The international finance hub has been shaken by five months of huge and increasingly violent protests calling for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability. With Beijing and Hong Kong's unpopular leader Carrie Lam refusing to offer a political solution to the protesters' grievances, violence has spiralled on both sides of the ideological divide. In the latest incident, a man holding a bouquet approached pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho on Wednesday morning as the politician was campaigning in his constituency near the border with China. The attack was "not only a serious criminal act but also pure election violence," Xu Luying, spokeswoman for the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of China's central government, said Thursday, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Xu said radical protesters in Hong Kong "intend to create a 'chilling effect' by threatening and intimidating their candidates and their supporters", in order to "affect the election results of the district councils and realise their purpose of seizing political power". Xu also called for "strong punishment" against violence in Hong Kong and for a "fair, just, safe and orderly environment" for the district elections, set to be held on November 24. In October, democracy activist Joshua Wong was barred from contesting a seat in the upcoming polls. An election officer had ruled that the concept of self-determination advocated by Wong's party, Demosisto, contradicted the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution.

China calls Hong Kong protesters 'mobsters' after stabbing

In Hong Kong, Fresh protests erupt after the student got injured during the demonstration. Watch this video of WION Dispatch to find out more in detail.

Hong Kong: Fresh protests erupt after student got injured during demonstration

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - November 7th, 2019

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam strongly condemns knife attack. Watch video to know more.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam strongly condemns knife attack

Hong Kong students, many wearing banned black masks, chanted slogans at their graduation at the Chinese University on Thursday, with some holding up banners urging "Free Hong Kong, Revolution Now".

The students defied a ban on masks that the government imposed last month in a bid to curb sometimes <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-gatecrashing-halloween-hong-kong-protesters-plot-guy-fawkes-protests-260085">violent unrest</a> that has rocked the Chinese-ruled city for more than five months.

Dressed in formal graduation gowns, many of about 1,000 students chanted as they walked to the ceremony venue, near the New Territories town of Sha Tin, calling for the government to respond to protesters' demands that include universal suffrage.

The protests started over a now-scrapped extradition bill that would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial but have evolved into calls for democracy, an end to Chinese meddling in the city's promised freedoms and an independent inquiry into complaints of excessive force by police, among other things.

"Even though we are all exhausted, we should not give up," said Kelvin, a 22-year-old information engineering graduate.

The university said it suspended the ceremony after the degrees were handed out.

"Due to the special circumstances, different people argued as they expressed their opinions, (with) graffiti around the campus, and interruption during the ceremony," it said in a statement.

The months of protests have plunged the former British colony into its biggest crisis in decades, with no sign the demonstrators plan to give up.

Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula, allowing it colonial freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including an independent judiciary and right to protest.

China denies interfering in Hong Kong has blamed Western countries for stirring up trouble.

China has also offered the same formula for fiercely democratic, self-ruled Taiwan, an island Beijing considers a breakaway province.

The unrest in Hong Kong had provided a lesson for Taiwan, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told Reuters in Taipei.

"People here understand that there's something wrong (with)the way the 'one country, two systems' model is run in Hong Kong...Taiwan people don't like to be in the same situation," Wu said.

Wu vowed to help Hong Kong people strive for "freedom and democracy", promising that, if needed, Taiwan would "provide some assistance to them on an individual basis".

He did not elaborate, except for saying Taiwan would not intervene in the protests.

The unrest has helped push Hong Kong's economy into recession for the first time in a decade. Retail and tourism sectors have been hit particularly hard as tourists stay away.

Beijing supports bolder action to tackle the roots of unrest, a senior Chinese official said on Wednesday, citing social problems including unaffordable housing.

More protests are planned on Thursday and through the weekend, when bigger crowds usually gather.

UNICEF Hong Kong called off its annual Run for Every Child charity road run on November&nbsp;24 "due to a range of ongoing and uncertain factors".

Hong Kong students, many wearing banned black masks, chanted slogans at their graduation at the Chinese University on Thursday, with some holding up banners urging "Free Hong Kong, Revolution Now".

Hong Kong students, many wearing banned black masks, chanted slogans at their graduation at the Chinese University on Thursday, with some holding up banners urging "Free Hong Kong, Revolution Now". The students defied a ban on masks that the government imposed last month in a bid to curb sometimes violent unrest that has rocked the Chinese-ruled city for more than five months. Dressed in formal graduation gowns, many of about 1,000 students chanted as they walked to the ceremony venue, near the New Territories town of Sha Tin, calling for the government to respond to protesters' demands that include universal suffrage. The protests started over a now-scrapped extradition bill that would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial but have evolved into calls for democracy, an end to Chinese meddling in the city's promised freedoms and an independent inquiry into complaints of excessive force by police, among other things. "Even though we are all exhausted, we should not give up," said Kelvin, a 22-year-old information engineering graduate. The university said it suspended the ceremony after the degrees were handed out. "Due to the special circumstances, different people argued as they expressed their opinions, (with) graffiti around the campus, and interruption during the ceremony," it said in a statement. The months of protests have plunged the former British colony into its biggest crisis in decades, with no sign the demonstrators plan to give up. Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula, allowing it colonial freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including an independent judiciary and right to protest. China denies interfering in Hong Kong has blamed Western countries for stirring up trouble. China has also offered the same formula for fiercely democratic, self-ruled Taiwan, an island Beijing considers a breakaway province. The unrest in Hong Kong had provided a lesson for Taiwan, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told Reuters in Taipei. "People here understand that there's something wrong (with)the way the 'one country, two systems' model is run in Hong Kong...Taiwan people don't like to be in the same situation," Wu said. Wu vowed to help Hong Kong people strive for "freedom and democracy", promising that, if needed, Taiwan would "provide some assistance to them on an individual basis". He did not elaborate, except for saying Taiwan would not intervene in the protests. The unrest has helped push Hong Kong's economy into recession for the first time in a decade. Retail and tourism sectors have been hit particularly hard as tourists stay away. Beijing supports bolder action to tackle the roots of unrest, a senior Chinese official said on Wednesday, citing social problems including unaffordable housing. More protests are planned on Thursday and through the weekend, when bigger crowds usually gather. UNICEF Hong Kong called off its annual Run for Every Child charity road run on November 24 "due to a range of ongoing and uncertain factors".

Masked Hong Kong students chant protest slogans at graduation

Beijing supports more bold measures to tackle the roots of unrest that has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-gatecrashing-halloween-hong-kong-protesters-plot-guy-fawkes-protests-260085">rocked Hong Kong </a>for months, a senior Chinese official said on Wednesday, just hours after a knife-wielding man attacked a pro-Beijing lawmaker in the financial hub.

Han Zheng, China's vice premier, said at an official meeting with Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's embattled leader, in Beijing anti-government protests were damaging the "one country, two systems" formula under which the city has been governed since its handover from Britain to Beijing in 1997.

"We firmly support the Special Administrative Region government to adopt more proactive and more effective measures to solve the social problems," Han said as he sat next to Lam in a meeting room in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Han said the social problems included unaffordable housing in the city, which is classified as a special region of China.

China's Communist Party said on Tuesday it would not tolerate any "separatist behaviour" after some protesters called for independence. Han said the violence had exceeded the "bottom line" of the rule law and of morality.

What started as agitation against a now-scrapped extradition bill, which would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial, has widened into calls for full democracy, among other demands.

Anti-government protests stretching back more than five months have plunged Hong Kong into its biggest political crisis in decades and pose one of the gravest challenges to Chinese President Xi Jinping's rule since he came to power in 2012.

Han was meeting Lam just hours after a man stabbed pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho in the chest with a knife, the latest incident in a series of attacks on candidates running in the city's November&nbsp;24 district council elections.

Both pro-democratic and pro-establishment figures have been attacked.

The alleged attacker was subdued and arrested. Ho said in an online statement he had suffered a knife wound to the upper left part of his chest but said his life was not at risk. Two of his colleagues were also hurt, he said.

The attacker's motive was not known but Ho gained notoriety among anti-government protesters in July when he was filmed laughing and shaking hands with suspected triad gang members who assaulted young demonstrators.

An online video showed the assailant handing Ho a bunch of yellow flowers before taking a weapon out of his bag and stabbing him.

Hong Kong's government strongly condemned the attack on Ho and said in a statement that members of the public should "express their views in a peaceful and rational manner with respect for each other".

Jimmy Sham, a leader of Hong Kong's Civil Human Rights Front, was among other prominent people to be attacked during the months of sometimes violent unrest. He was beaten by several men with hammers in October after his group organised mass rallies against the extradition bill.

Pro-democracy district councillor Andrew Chiu also had part of his ear bitten off by a knife-wielding man outside a mall this week.

Further protests are planned on Wednesday at some of Hong Kong's universities, activists said. Police fired water cannon to disperse protesters at a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/guy-fawkes-the-global-symbol-of-protest-to-take-over-hong-kong-streets-260105"> Guy Fawkes-themed march</a> on Tuesday.

Hundreds of black-clad student protesters gathered at the University of Hong Kong's campus to protest against perceived police brutality and to call for an independent investigation into an incident that left a student from another university fighting for his life.

The student fell during protests at the weekend and remained on life support, hospital authorities said, as some of his friends also gathered at the hospital to pray for him.

Protesters are demanding an end to perceived Chinese meddling in the territory's affairs, as well as universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into police behaviour, among other demands.

Beijing denies interfering and blames foreign governments for fuelling the unrest.

President Xi met Lam on Tuesday in Shanghai, vouching support for her administration.

Following that meeting, Lam denied rumours that the government was considering an amnesty for protesters charged with offences.

Beijing supports more bold measures to tackle the roots of unrest that has rocked Hong Kong for months, a senior Chinese official said on Wednesday, just hours after a knife-wielding man attacked a pro-Beijing lawmaker in the financial hub.

Beijing supports more bold measures to tackle the roots of unrest that has rocked Hong Kong for months, a senior Chinese official said on Wednesday, just hours after a knife-wielding man attacked a pro-Beijing lawmaker in the financial hub. Han Zheng, China's vice premier, said at an official meeting with Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's embattled leader, in Beijing anti-government protests were damaging the "one country, two systems" formula under which the city has been governed since its handover from Britain to Beijing in 1997. "We firmly support the Special Administrative Region government to adopt more proactive and more effective measures to solve the social problems," Han said as he sat next to Lam in a meeting room in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Han said the social problems included unaffordable housing in the city, which is classified as a special region of China. China's Communist Party said on Tuesday it would not tolerate any "separatist behaviour" after some protesters called for independence. Han said the violence had exceeded the "bottom line" of the rule law and of morality. What started as agitation against a now-scrapped extradition bill, which would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial, has widened into calls for full democracy, among other demands. Anti-government protests stretching back more than five months have plunged Hong Kong into its biggest political crisis in decades and pose one of the gravest challenges to Chinese President Xi Jinping's rule since he came to power in 2012. Han was meeting Lam just hours after a man stabbed pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho in the chest with a knife, the latest incident in a series of attacks on candidates running in the city's November 24 district council elections. Both pro-democratic and pro-establishment figures have been attacked. The alleged attacker was subdued and arrested. Ho said in an online statement he had suffered a knife wound to the upper left part of his chest but said his life was not at risk. Two of his colleagues were also hurt, he said. The attacker's motive was not known but Ho gained notoriety among anti-government protesters in July when he was filmed laughing and shaking hands with suspected triad gang members who assaulted young demonstrators. An online video showed the assailant handing Ho a bunch of yellow flowers before taking a weapon out of his bag and stabbing him. Hong Kong's government strongly condemned the attack on Ho and said in a statement that members of the public should "express their views in a peaceful and rational manner with respect for each other". Jimmy Sham, a leader of Hong Kong's Civil Human Rights Front, was among other prominent people to be attacked during the months of sometimes violent unrest. He was beaten by several men with hammers in October after his group organised mass rallies against the extradition bill. Pro-democracy district councillor Andrew Chiu also had part of his ear bitten off by a knife-wielding man outside a mall this week. Further protests are planned on Wednesday at some of Hong Kong's universities, activists said. Police fired water cannon to disperse protesters at a Guy Fawkes-themed march on Tuesday. Hundreds of black-clad student protesters gathered at the University of Hong Kong's campus to protest against perceived police brutality and to call for an independent investigation into an incident that left a student from another university fighting for his life. The student fell during protests at the weekend and remained on life support, hospital authorities said, as some of his friends also gathered at the hospital to pray for him. Protesters are demanding an end to perceived Chinese meddling in the territory's affairs, as well as universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into police behaviour, among other demands. Beijing denies interfering and blames foreign governments for fuelling the unrest. President Xi met Lam on Tuesday in Shanghai, vouching support for her administration. Following that meeting, Lam denied rumours that the government was considering an amnesty for protesters charged with offences.

China backs bolder action over Hong Kong unrest: Officials

By Monica Clua Losada and David J Bailey

People across the world are demonstrating their discontent in increasingly creative and disruptive ways.

The past year has seen schoolchildren across the world join the Fridays for Future strikes, witnessing mass walkouts from schools across the globe. In Chile, coordinated fare-dodging protests on public transport – also led by school pupils – has now grown into mass unrest against the rising cost of living. During the past two weeks, protests have erupted across Lebanon in opposition to rising taxes, involving road blockades and a human chain across the country to illustrate the unity of the people.

Something notable about these protests, from Chile to Lebanon to Catalonia, is that protesters are mobilising around far more than single issues. Their primary demands – from economic issues to climate change – are set against a backdrop of questioning the status quo more broadly. And it’s not just demands that are expanding: the ways in which civil disobedience and direct action are carried out is also becoming increasingly novel.

A closer look at the continuing demonstrations in Catalonia illustrates the significance of this.

Tsunami Democràtic

In September, a new initiative was created in Catalonia: Tsunami Democràtic. Nobody fully seems to know where it came from or who was the organising force behind it. Those initially sharing its tweets came from different political families, including all three pro-independence parties, as well as some of those who had been imprisoned as a result of their involvement in the Catalan independence movement.

Following its initial announcement, little was heard from Tsunami Democràtic besides occasional tweets highlighting the effectiveness of peaceful civil resistance. This changed on October 11 – the day the Supreme Court sentence against the Catalan leaders was expected – when Tsunami Democràtic released a song: “La Força de la Gent” (The Strength of the People). This echoed the spirit of the song “Agafant l’Horitzó” (Let’s take the Horizon), which was released prior to the independence referendum of October 1 2017. The group then started organising protests.

So far, Tsunami Democràtic has only called three of the countless protests we’ve witnessed since Monday October 14, when sentences were announced against the seven government ministers as well as the speaker of the House and two civil society leaders.

The first – and largest – protest was the occupation of Barcelona airport on the same day the sentences were announced. Some 155 flights were cancelled and the disruption caused to the airport was considerable, as the blocking of roads and of one of the terminals lasted well over six hours. On October 21 Tsunami Democràtic called another protest, with only a few hours’ notice, prompted by a surprise visit to Barcelona by Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez. The protest had a simple demand – #SpainSitandTalk – following the weekend’s refusal by Sanchez to answer the Catalan president’s calls.

High-tech protests

The group’s great success in calling and enacting enormous protests at the drop of a hat has been enabled, to a large degree, by technology. It has used the messaging app Telegram with particular success, gathering over 385,000 subscribers. Telegram channels (which are designed to send information from a single source to subscribers) have become crucial sources of information and organising around the world.

Tsunami Democràtic has also developed a new app designed to coordinate protests in real time depending on people’s locations. This proved so popular that its systems collapsed during the first few hours, as so many people tried to download it.

The app, which has not been put to use yet, is accessible using QR codes that are shareable among up to ten users. This means that if one of the codes (or nodes) is acting suspiciously, the whole chain can be removed. It is designed to organise users (called water drops) into actions to create a “tsunami”. This could include the occupation of transport hubs (such as train stations or aiports), but also the coordination of demonstrations against specific events. The idea is quite a novelty, and has already gathered interest among tech communities.

Tsunami Democràtic has already made waves. The Spanish Home Office has labelled it a terrorist organisation. Last week, the Guardia Civil (Spain’s paramilitary police force), closed down the Tsunami Democràtic website, and the home office minister announced that they are investigating who is behind it. So far, except for the musicians that appear in the song, and football manager Pep Guardiola’s video reading Tsunami’s manifesto, there are no other public faces.

Changing seas

We live in a time when protests are growing on a worldwide basis, often in response to undemocratic actions of governments.

In this light, the actions of Tsunami Democràtic are notable: they demonstrate a tendency for a growing proportion of people to turn to creative forms of disruptive protest. These methods are typically open, fluid, without rigid structures. They represent novel attempts to articulate a voice when it appears that those in power are increasingly uninterested in listening.

The rise in mass civil disobedience movements such as Tsunami Democràtic is often talked about in relation to the idea, put forward by the political scientists Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan, that a campaign which attracts 3.5 per cent or more of the population will bring about change. This is in no small part thanks to Extinction Rebellion’s popularisation of this claim.

Whether or not this is true, in the case of Catalonia, the proportion of the population engaging in protest is already much higher than 3.5%. Conservative local police estimates indicate that there were more than 500,000 people participating in the marches for freedom during the last general strike: about 14 per cent of the Catalonian population.

Enabled by technology, such movements are becoming more organised and creative than ever. While there is no guarantee that these novel forms of protest will be successful, the recent news that fracking will be banned in the UK highlights the way that persistent, ongoing, coordinated and novel efforts to challenge those in power can result in surprisingly positive outcomes.

 
(Monica Clua Losada is Associate Professor in Global Political Economy, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; David J Bailey&nbsp;Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Birmingham)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-future-of-protest-is-high-tech-just-look-at-the-catalan-independence-movement-125776">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

By Monica Clua Losada and David J Bailey People across the world are demonstrating their discontent in increasingly creative and disruptive ways. The past year has seen schoolchildren across the world join the Fridays for Future strikes, witnessing mass walkouts from schools across the globe.

By Monica Clua Losada and David J Bailey People across the world are demonstrating their discontent in increasingly creative and disruptive ways. The past year has seen schoolchildren across the world join the Fridays for Future strikes, witnessing mass walkouts from schools across the globe. In Chile, coordinated fare-dodging protests on public transport – also led by school pupils – has now grown into mass unrest against the rising cost of living. During the past two weeks, protests have erupted across Lebanon in opposition to rising taxes, involving road blockades and a human chain across the country to illustrate the unity of the people. Something notable about these protests, from Chile to Lebanon to Catalonia, is that protesters are mobilising around far more than single issues. Their primary demands – from economic issues to climate change – are set against a backdrop of questioning the status quo more broadly. And it’s not just demands that are expanding: the ways in which civil disobedience and direct action are carried out is also becoming increasingly novel. A closer look at the continuing demonstrations in Catalonia illustrates the significance of this. Tsunami Democràtic In September, a new initiative was created in Catalonia: Tsunami Democràtic. Nobody fully seems to know where it came from or who was the organising force behind it. Those initially sharing its tweets came from different political families, including all three pro-independence parties, as well as some of those who had been imprisoned as a result of their involvement in the Catalan independence movement. Following its initial announcement, little was heard from Tsunami Democràtic besides occasional tweets highlighting the effectiveness of peaceful civil resistance. This changed on October 11 – the day the Supreme Court sentence against the Catalan leaders was expected – when Tsunami Democràtic released a song: “La Força de la Gent” (The Strength of the People). This echoed the spirit of the song “Agafant l’Horitzó” (Let’s take the Horizon), which was released prior to the independence referendum of October 1 2017. The group then started organising protests. So far, Tsunami Democràtic has only called three of the countless protests we’ve witnessed since Monday October 14, when sentences were announced against the seven government ministers as well as the speaker of the House and two civil society leaders. The first – and largest – protest was the occupation of Barcelona airport on the same day the sentences were announced. Some 155 flights were cancelled and the disruption caused to the airport was considerable, as the blocking of roads and of one of the terminals lasted well over six hours. On October 21 Tsunami Democràtic called another protest, with only a few hours’ notice, prompted by a surprise visit to Barcelona by Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez. The protest had a simple demand – #SpainSitandTalk – following the weekend’s refusal by Sanchez to answer the Catalan president’s calls. High-tech protests The group’s great success in calling and enacting enormous protests at the drop of a hat has been enabled, to a large degree, by technology. It has used the messaging app Telegram with particular success, gathering over 385,000 subscribers. Telegram channels (which are designed to send information from a single source to subscribers) have become crucial sources of information and organising around the world. Tsunami Democràtic has also developed a new app designed to coordinate protests in real time depending on people’s locations. This proved so popular that its systems collapsed during the first few hours, as so many people tried to download it. The app, which has not been put to use yet, is accessible using QR codes that are shareable among up to ten users. This means that if one of the codes (or nodes) is acting suspiciously, the whole chain can be removed. It is designed to organise users (called water drops) into actions to create a “tsunami”. This could include the occupation of transport hubs (such as train stations or aiports), but also the coordination of demonstrations against specific events. The idea is quite a novelty, and has already gathered interest among tech communities. Tsunami Democràtic has already made waves. The Spanish Home Office has labelled it a terrorist organisation. Last week, the Guardia Civil (Spain’s paramilitary police force), closed down the Tsunami Democràtic website, and the home office minister announced that they are investigating who is behind it. So far, except for the musicians that appear in the song, and football manager Pep Guardiola’s video reading Tsunami’s manifesto, there are no other public faces. Changing seas We live in a time when protests are growing on a worldwide basis, often in response to undemocratic actions of governments. In this light, the actions of Tsunami Democràtic are notable: they demonstrate a tendency for a growing proportion of people to turn to creative forms of disruptive protest. These methods are typically open, fluid, without rigid structures. They represent novel attempts to articulate a voice when it appears that those in power are increasingly uninterested in listening. The rise in mass civil disobedience movements such as Tsunami Democràtic is often talked about in relation to the idea, put forward by the political scientists Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan, that a campaign which attracts 3.5 per cent or more of the population will bring about change. This is in no small part thanks to Extinction Rebellion’s popularisation of this claim. Whether or not this is true, in the case of Catalonia, the proportion of the population engaging in protest is already much higher than 3.5%. Conservative local police estimates indicate that there were more than 500,000 people participating in the marches for freedom during the last general strike: about 14 per cent of the Catalonian population. Enabled by technology, such movements are becoming more organised and creative than ever. While there is no guarantee that these novel forms of protest will be successful, the recent news that fracking will be banned in the UK highlights the way that persistent, ongoing, coordinated and novel efforts to challenge those in power can result in surprisingly positive outcomes. (Monica Clua Losada is Associate Professor in Global Political Economy, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; David J Bailey Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Birmingham) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The future of protest is high tech

hong-kong

Hong Kong, News on Hong Kong, stories on Hong Kong, articles on Hong Kong, Hong Kong stories at Wion, Hong Kong news, Hong Kong latest news

hong kong

Gravitas: Now, A game on Hong Kong Protest

K-pop top awards show skips Hong Kong due to protests: Source

Hong Kong unrest: Clashes continue on university campus, business district

Hong Kong protests: Carrie Lam condemns Monday's violence

Watching situation in Hong Kong with grave concern: US

Hong Kong Protest: Another day of Chaos in Hong Kong

Violence brings Hong Kong to 'brink of total breakdown', metro suspends operations

Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari recommends President's rule in state: Sources

Police fire tear gas as protest flare up across Hong Kong

Hong Kong Protests: WION's correspondent gets hit by tear gas

Hong Kong police opens fire at protesters; at least 2 injured

Hong Kong protesters vandalise malls, subway station & schools

Hong Kong protests turn violent; Police Shoot Protester Amid Clashes

Hong Kong protests turn violent; Police Shoot Protester Amid Clashes

Hong Kong: Police defends shooting protesters, WION's correspondent shares the real-time experience

Hong Kong's Carrie Lam says violence exceeded calls for democracy, police defend officers who shot at protesters

UBS fined $51 million by Hong Kong regulator for overcharging clients

Global Markets: Asian shares a sea of red as Hong Kong chaos hits sentiment

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - November 10th, 2019

Huge Hong Kong rally after student dies and lawmakers arrested

Hong Kong police watchdog unequipped to probe own force's handling of protests: Report

Hong Kong police fire tear gas on 24th weekend of unrest

Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers arrested as tensions soar

Hong Kong student who fell during protests dies, fresh unrest likely