Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam on Friday, October 4 invoked colonial-era emergency powers for the first time in more than 50 years in a dramatic move intended to quell escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city. Watch this video to know more.

Hong Kong govt outlaws face masks at protests

WION Dispatch: Carrie Lam imposes emergency measures

The United Nations human rights office said on Friday that any new government measures to cope with protests in Hong Kong must be grounded in law and protect the right to freedom of assembly.

Any use of force should be exceptional and only in compliance with international standards, including the principles of necessity and proportionality, U.N. human rights spokeswoman Marta Hurtado told a Geneva briefing.

Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam invoked <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-carrie-lam-invokes-emergency-powers-to-try-to-quell-escalating-violence-253702">colonial-era emergency powers </a>on Friday for the first time in more than 50 years, in a dramatic move intended to quell escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city.

Lam said a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-might-ban-face-masks-in-bid-to-curb-violence-253652">ban on face masks</a> would take effect on Saturday under the emergency laws that allow authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in whatever they deem to be in the public interest.

Hurtado, asked about the measures, said, "Any restriction must have a basis in law and be proportionate and as least intrusive as possible. Freedom of peaceful assembly is a fundamental right and should be enjoyed without restriction to the greatest extent possible."

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firing-of-live-rounds-was-lawful-and-fair-hong-kong-police-defends-use-of-live-ammunition-253181"> use of firearms</a> was only acceptable as a "last resort", and only to protect against an immediate threat, she added.

The United Nations human rights office said on Friday that any new government measures to cope with protests in Hong Kong must be grounded in law and protect the right to freedom of assembly.

The United Nations human rights office said on Friday that any new government measures to cope with protests in Hong Kong must be grounded in law and protect the right to freedom of assembly. Any use of force should be exceptional and only in compliance with international standards, including the principles of necessity and proportionality, U.N. human rights spokeswoman Marta Hurtado told a Geneva briefing. Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam invoked colonial-era emergency powers on Friday for the first time in more than 50 years, in a dramatic move intended to quell escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city. Lam said a ban on face masks would take effect on Saturday under the emergency laws that allow authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in whatever they deem to be in the public interest. Hurtado, asked about the measures, said, "Any restriction must have a basis in law and be proportionate and as least intrusive as possible. Freedom of peaceful assembly is a fundamental right and should be enjoyed without restriction to the greatest extent possible." The use of firearms was only acceptable as a "last resort", and only to protect against an immediate threat, she added.

Hong Kong must protect freedom of assembly: U.N. rights office

The colonial-era law that gives Hong Kong leader sweeping powers

Hong Kong's richest man Li Ka-Shing will donate HK$1 billion ($128 million) to support local small and medium-sized businesses, his foundation said on Friday, a move that comes as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/investors-keep-their-faith-in-hong-kong-markets-despite-protests-253372">city's economy</a> has been roiled by pro-democracy protests.

Hong Kong tycoons and property developers have come under pressure from Beijing for not doing enough to alleviate housing problems in the Chinese-ruled city.

Li, in particular, was singled out by China's Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission in September for "harbouring criminality" after he called on authorities to offer young people an olive branch amid the anti-government protests that have roiled the city.

Li has said that he deeply regrets that his comments made regarding the protests were misrepresented and reiterated that any actions that violate the rule of law cannot be tolerated.

The Li Ka-Shing Foundation said it would discuss the support measures with the government and had made the donation as Hong Kong's economy faced "unprecedented challenges."

The move comes as Hong Kong's government is expected to discuss sweeping emergency laws on Friday that would include <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-might-ban-face-masks-in-bid-to-curb-violence-253652">banning face masks at protests</a>, two sources told Reuters. Media reported the government was expected to announce the ban effective from midnight.

Li's donation comes after property firm New World Development &lt;0017.HK&gt; said it would donate 3 million square feet of its farmland reserves for social housing.

&nbsp;

Hong Kong's richest man Li Ka-Shing will donate HK$1 billion ($128 million) to support local small and medium-sized businesses, his foundation said on Friday, a move that comes as the city's economy has been roiled by pro-democracy protests.

Hong Kong's richest man Li Ka-Shing will donate HK$1 billion ($128 million) to support local small and medium-sized businesses, his foundation said on Friday, a move that comes as the city's economy has been roiled by pro-democracy protests. Hong Kong tycoons and property developers have come under pressure from Beijing for not doing enough to alleviate housing problems in the Chinese-ruled city. Li, in particular, was singled out by China's Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission in September for "harbouring criminality" after he called on authorities to offer young people an olive branch amid the anti-government protests that have roiled the city. Li has said that he deeply regrets that his comments made regarding the protests were misrepresented and reiterated that any actions that violate the rule of law cannot be tolerated. The Li Ka-Shing Foundation said it would discuss the support measures with the government and had made the donation as Hong Kong's economy faced "unprecedented challenges." The move comes as Hong Kong's government is expected to discuss sweeping emergency laws on Friday that would include banning face masks at protests, two sources told Reuters. Media reported the government was expected to announce the ban effective from midnight. Li's donation comes after property firm New World Development <0017.HK> said it would donate 3 million square feet of its farmland reserves for social housing.

Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-Shing donates $128 million to support local business

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday Hong Kong leader<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-invokes-emergency-powers-to-quell-escalating-violence-253684"> Carrie Lam</a> should step down following months of protests against her government and he predicted China would take action to end the demonstrations.

Growing opposition to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-government-to-meet-today-to-discuss-face-mask-ban-at-protests-253612">Hong Kong government</a> has plunged the financial hub into its biggest political crisis in decades and poses the gravest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012.

Speaking at a conference in Kuala Lumpur, Mahathir, referring to Beijing, said Lam "has to obey the masters and at the same time she has to ask her conscience."

"I think best thing is to resign," Mahathir said, according to a recording of comments, heard by Reuters, that he made when asked what advice he might give Lam.

Watch Video: Carrie Lam invokes emergency powers to try to quell escalating violence

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Mahathir also said he expected China to take action against the protesters, drawing a parallel to student protests in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peoples-republic-of-china-celebrates-70th-anniversary-in-beijing-253107/amp">Tiananmen Square</a> in 1989.

"Yes, they allowed you to demonstrate and all that but eventually in a system that is authoritarian they will come back and do what they have to do," he said.

Mahathir, 94, is one of Asia's most experienced and outspoken leaders. He was prime minister for 22 years from 1981, only to come out of retirement last year to head a government after an opposition election victory.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-protests-as-hong-kong-government-mulls-face-mask-ban-253638">protests </a>in Hong Kong began over a now-withdrawn extradition bill, which would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial, and have intensified markedly since June. They have also evolved into wider calls for democracy, among other demands.

Demonstrators are angry at what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in their city's affairs despite a promise of autonomy in the "one country, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong returned to China in 1997.

China dismisses accusations it is meddling and has accused foreign governments, including the United States and Britain, of stirring up the anti-China sentiment.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam should step down following months of protests against her government and he predicted China would take action to end the demonstrations.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam should step down following months of protests against her government and he predicted China would take action to end the demonstrations. Growing opposition to the Hong Kong government has plunged the financial hub into its biggest political crisis in decades and poses the gravest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012. Speaking at a conference in Kuala Lumpur, Mahathir, referring to Beijing, said Lam "has to obey the masters and at the same time she has to ask her conscience." "I think best thing is to resign," Mahathir said, according to a recording of comments, heard by Reuters, that he made when asked what advice he might give Lam. Watch Video: Carrie Lam invokes emergency powers to try to quell escalating violence × Mahathir also said he expected China to take action against the protesters, drawing a parallel to student protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989. "Yes, they allowed you to demonstrate and all that but eventually in a system that is authoritarian they will come back and do what they have to do," he said. Mahathir, 94, is one of Asia's most experienced and outspoken leaders. He was prime minister for 22 years from 1981, only to come out of retirement last year to head a government after an opposition election victory. The protests in Hong Kong began over a now-withdrawn extradition bill, which would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial, and have intensified markedly since June. They have also evolved into wider calls for democracy, among other demands. Demonstrators are angry at what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in their city's affairs despite a promise of autonomy in the "one country, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong returned to China in 1997. China dismisses accusations it is meddling and has accused foreign governments, including the United States and Britain, of stirring up the anti-China sentiment.

I think best thing for Hong Kong's Carrie Lam is to resign: Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad

Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam on Friday invoked colonial-era emergency powers for the first time in more than 50 years in a dramatic move intended to quell escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city.

Hong Kong: Carrie Lam invokes emergency powers to try to quell escalating violence

Hong Kong leader invokes emergency powers to try to quell escalating violence. Watch this video to know more.

Hong Kong leader invokes emergency powers to try to quell escalating violence

Hong Kong's embattled leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-protests-as-hong-kong-government-mulls-face-mask-ban-253638">Carrie Lam</a> on Friday invoked colonial-era emergency powers for the first time in more than 50 years in a dramatic move intended to quell escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city.

Lam, speaking at a news conference, said a ban on face masks would take effect on Saturday under the emergency laws that allow authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in whatever they deem to be in the public interest.

<a href="https://wionews.com/world/hong-kong-government-to-meet-today-to-discuss-face-mask-ban-at-protests-253612">Many protesters</a> wear masks to hide their identity due to fears employers could face pressure to take action against them.

It was not clear how the government would implement the mask ban in a city where many of its 7.4 million residents wear them every day to protect against infection following the outbreak of the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003.

Four months of anti-government protests have plunged the former British colony into its biggest political crisis since its handover to Beijing in 1997 and have created a serious challenge to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Violence escalated on Tuesday, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, when police fired about 1,800 volleys of tear gas, 900 rubber bullets and six live bullets - one of which hit an 18-year-old.

The student, Tony Tsang, was shot at close range as he fought an officer with what appeared to be a white pole. He has been charged with rioting, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence, and assaulting an officer. Tsang is in stable condition in hospital.

The shooting enraged protesters who rampaged across the city, throwing petrol bombs, blocking roads and starting fires as police responded with tear gas.

'More serious'

Even before the new rules were confirmed, protests against them began across the Asian financial hub, with hundreds of office workers wearing masks gathering to march.

"Police brutality is becoming more serious and the set up of an anti-mask law is to threaten us from protesting," said one protester, who asked to be identified as just Chan, a 27-year-old financial industry worker.

Pro-Beijing groups had been pushing for legislation to ban face masks at demonstrations.

The protesters are angry about what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in their city's affairs despite a promise of autonomy in the "one country, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong returned to China in 1997.

China dismisses accusations it is meddling and has accused foreign governments, including the United States and Britain, of stirring up anti-China sentiment.

What began as opposition to a proposed extradition law, that could have seen people sent for trial in mainland courts, has grown into a call for five demands, including universal suffrage and an inquiry into alleged police brutality.

The protests have been inflamed by the police shooting of a teenaged secondary school student on Tuesday during a clash, and more rallies are expected later in the evening and over the weekend.

Authorities have already loosened guidelines on the use of force by police, according to documents seen by Reuters.

(Reporting by Twinnie Siu, James Pomfret and Felix Tam; Writing by Farah Master; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree, Robert&nbsp;

Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam on Friday invoked colonial-era emergency powers for the first time in more than 50 years in a dramatic move intended to quell escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city. Lam, speaking at a news conference, said a ban on face masks would take effect on Saturday under the emergency laws that allow authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in whatever they deem to be in the public interest. Many protesters wear masks to hide their identity due to fears employers could face pressure to take action against them. It was not clear how the government would implement the mask ban in a city where many of its 7.4 million residents wear them every day to protect against infection following the outbreak of the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003. Four months of anti-government protests have plunged the former British colony into its biggest political crisis since its handover to Beijing in 1997 and have created a serious challenge to Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Violence escalated on Tuesday, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, when police fired about 1,800 volleys of tear gas, 900 rubber bullets and six live bullets - one of which hit an 18-year-old. The student, Tony Tsang, was shot at close range as he fought an officer with what appeared to be a white pole. He has been charged with rioting, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence, and assaulting an officer. Tsang is in stable condition in hospital. The shooting enraged protesters who rampaged across the city, throwing petrol bombs, blocking roads and starting fires as police responded with tear gas. 'More serious' Even before the new rules were confirmed, protests against them began across the Asian financial hub, with hundreds of office workers wearing masks gathering to march. "Police brutality is becoming more serious and the set up of an anti-mask law is to threaten us from protesting," said one protester, who asked to be identified as just Chan, a 27-year-old financial industry worker. Pro-Beijing groups had been pushing for legislation to ban face masks at demonstrations. The protesters are angry about what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in their city's affairs despite a promise of autonomy in the "one country, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong returned to China in 1997. China dismisses accusations it is meddling and has accused foreign governments, including the United States and Britain, of stirring up anti-China sentiment. What began as opposition to a proposed extradition law, that could have seen people sent for trial in mainland courts, has grown into a call for five demands, including universal suffrage and an inquiry into alleged police brutality. The protests have been inflamed by the police shooting of a teenaged secondary school student on Tuesday during a clash, and more rallies are expected later in the evening and over the weekend. Authorities have already loosened guidelines on the use of force by police, according to documents seen by Reuters. (Reporting by Twinnie Siu, James Pomfret and Felix Tam; Writing by Farah Master; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree, Robert

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam invokes emergency powers to quell escalating violence

After the 17th consecutive weekend of increasingly violent protests in Hong Kong, the first protester was wounded by a live bullet on Tuesday. &nbsp;

Eighteen-year-old student Tsang Chi-kin, one of a group of about a dozen students attacking a policeman who had become separated from his comrades, was shot in the chest as he struck the man with a metal pole. He is expected to survive.

A hundred other Hong Kongers, civilians and police, were treated in hospitals on the same day for injuries incurred during what the Beijing regime calls “riots”. &nbsp;

The violence has grown over the months, and sometimes that is an accurate description of what is going on in the streets. Even if the protesters are in the right, they are definitely a lot less non-violent than they were at the start.

What is remarkable (though rarely remarked upon) is the restraint shown by the police who, although employed by the Hong Kong city government, ultimately serve the repressive dictatorship in Beijing.

It’s only relative restraint, of course – we are not talking about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or ‘kindly British bobbies’ here – but during months of escalating violence, they have still managed not to kill anybody. Even on Tuesday, when the rest of China was marking the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic, the protests in Hong Kong continued and nobody died.

To understand how remarkable this is, ask yourself this. How many protesters would American police have killed by now if equally violent protests had been taking place in the streets of a major American city every weekend for the past four months?

This is not proof of how nice China’s rulers are. It’s evidence of how worried they are. They dare not make too many concessions to the protesters, but they want to avoid using major force against them—doing another Tiananmen Square massacre, so to speak – because they think the price would be very high. They are right about that.

When Britain returned the colony of Hong Kong to China in 1997, it was China’s main financial window on the world. That’s why it was granted a special status in China (‘one country, two systems’) for the next 50 years. It has free speech, the rule of law, all sorts of privileges that do not exist in the rest of China – but ultimately it must bow to Beijing.

Two decades later, its status as a global financial centre remains a major asset for the regime, but there are red lines that President Xi Jinping will never cross, like letting Hong Kong people choose their own government in a free election. This is now one of the protesters’ demands (although it wasn’t at the start), but it simply is not going to happen.

The Communist Party rules through carefully chosen, mostly non-Communist puppets in Hong Kong, but it does rule. As Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, explained in a private meeting with business leaders last month, her freedom of action is “very, very, very limited.”

She got into trouble in the first place by putting forward a new extradition law that would have allowed Hong Kong residents to be tried in Chinese courts, where accused people have few rights and the conviction rate is 99 per cent. She probably did it against her own better judgement, but the orders came from above.

When the public pushed back, sensing that this could be the beginning of the end for Hong Kong’s relative freedom, Lam probably wanted to drop the matter, but it took her months to persuade Beijing to let her do it.&nbsp;

In June she “shelved” the law, in August she said it was “dead”, but only in early September did she actually get Beijing’s permission to withdraw it.

Too little, too late. By then the protests had escalated far beyond the specific law to sweeping demands for democracy in Hong Kong. Most people outside China will sympathise, but it cannot happen. The Communist regime’s first priority is its own survival, so it will not permit such an example to flourish on Chinese soil. &nbsp;

The protesters have won what they originally came out for: the withdrawal of the extradition law. Their other demands will never be granted, because they imperil the ultimate authority of the Communist Party. It’s time to collect their winnings and step away from the table.

If they don’t, Beijing will ultimately crush the protests no matter how much economic and reputational damage that does. In August it doubled the number of troops it keeps in Hong Kong under the guise of ‘rotating’ the garrison: the replacements came in, but the others didn’t actually leave. Sooner or later, if things go on like this, they will be used. 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-collect-winnings-step-away-2794435">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

&nbsp;

After the 17th consecutive weekend of increasingly violent protests in Hong Kong, the first protester was wounded by a live bullet on Tuesday. Eighteen-year-old student Tsang Chi-kin, one of a group of about a dozen students attacking a policeman who had become separated from his comrades, was shot in the chest as he struck the man with a metal pole.

After the 17th consecutive weekend of increasingly violent protests in Hong Kong, the first protester was wounded by a live bullet on Tuesday. Eighteen-year-old student Tsang Chi-kin, one of a group of about a dozen students attacking a policeman who had become separated from his comrades, was shot in the chest as he struck the man with a metal pole. He is expected to survive. A hundred other Hong Kongers, civilians and police, were treated in hospitals on the same day for injuries incurred during what the Beijing regime calls “riots”. The violence has grown over the months, and sometimes that is an accurate description of what is going on in the streets. Even if the protesters are in the right, they are definitely a lot less non-violent than they were at the start. What is remarkable (though rarely remarked upon) is the restraint shown by the police who, although employed by the Hong Kong city government, ultimately serve the repressive dictatorship in Beijing. It’s only relative restraint, of course – we are not talking about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or ‘kindly British bobbies’ here – but during months of escalating violence, they have still managed not to kill anybody. Even on Tuesday, when the rest of China was marking the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic, the protests in Hong Kong continued and nobody died. To understand how remarkable this is, ask yourself this. How many protesters would American police have killed by now if equally violent protests had been taking place in the streets of a major American city every weekend for the past four months? This is not proof of how nice China’s rulers are. It’s evidence of how worried they are. They dare not make too many concessions to the protesters, but they want to avoid using major force against them—doing another Tiananmen Square massacre, so to speak – because they think the price would be very high. They are right about that. When Britain returned the colony of Hong Kong to China in 1997, it was China’s main financial window on the world. That’s why it was granted a special status in China (‘one country, two systems’) for the next 50 years. It has free speech, the rule of law, all sorts of privileges that do not exist in the rest of China – but ultimately it must bow to Beijing. Two decades later, its status as a global financial centre remains a major asset for the regime, but there are red lines that President Xi Jinping will never cross, like letting Hong Kong people choose their own government in a free election. This is now one of the protesters’ demands (although it wasn’t at the start), but it simply is not going to happen. The Communist Party rules through carefully chosen, mostly non-Communist puppets in Hong Kong, but it does rule. As Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, explained in a private meeting with business leaders last month, her freedom of action is “very, very, very limited.” She got into trouble in the first place by putting forward a new extradition law that would have allowed Hong Kong residents to be tried in Chinese courts, where accused people have few rights and the conviction rate is 99 per cent. She probably did it against her own better judgement, but the orders came from above. When the public pushed back, sensing that this could be the beginning of the end for Hong Kong’s relative freedom, Lam probably wanted to drop the matter, but it took her months to persuade Beijing to let her do it. In June she “shelved” the law, in August she said it was “dead”, but only in early September did she actually get Beijing’s permission to withdraw it. Too little, too late. By then the protests had escalated far beyond the specific law to sweeping demands for democracy in Hong Kong. Most people outside China will sympathise, but it cannot happen. The Communist regime’s first priority is its own survival, so it will not permit such an example to flourish on Chinese soil. The protesters have won what they originally came out for: the withdrawal of the extradition law. Their other demands will never be granted, because they imperil the ultimate authority of the Communist Party. It’s time to collect their winnings and step away from the table. If they don’t, Beijing will ultimately crush the protests no matter how much economic and reputational damage that does. In August it doubled the number of troops it keeps in Hong Kong under the guise of ‘rotating’ the garrison: the replacements came in, but the others didn’t actually leave. Sooner or later, if things go on like this, they will be used. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Hong Kong needs to understand that Chinese Communist regime’s first priority is its own survival

As anti-government protesters fought pitched battles with police in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sit-in-at-school-of-hong-kong-protester-shot-by-police-253170">Hong Kong</a> streets last week, a group of bankers in another part of the city were busy taking in billions for the public float of the Asia unit of the world's largest brewer.

After a freeze during months of sometimes violent protests, Asia's top financial hub looks to be back in business. The stock market is off its lows, Hong Kong's love affair with property is undimmed and companies are forging ahead with listing plans. Budweiser Brewing Company APAC raised about $5 billion in its initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, making it the second-largest IPO in the world this year.

Bankers say at least three more major companies are set to list in Hong Kong this month, selling more than $3 billion (£2.44 billion) worth of new shares.

Hong Kong's status as a gateway for global capital flowing into and out of China, the world's second-largest economy, has seen many global banks and fund managers make its towering skyscrapers their regional homes.

"How does this (unrest) affect you buying exposure to a good asset that has a presence in China, and is growing? None of those things have any correlation with the Hong Kong protests," said a senior banker with a global investment bank.

"I don't think I have received even one phone call saying 'we shouldn't be doing this IPO because of what's happening in Hong Kong’," said the banker, declining to be named due to sensitivity of the issue.

Watch:&nbsp;Hong Kong protesters hit police station with petrol bombs

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Companies raised $15 billion in new listings in Hong Kong in the first nine months of 2019, second only to New York, according to Refinitiv data. While the protests have hurt tourism and retail sectors, threatening to send Hong Kong into its first recession in a decade, its proximity to the massive Chinese market and locally listed firms' presence there are more important, bankers and analysts say.

Already, the Hong Kong stock market has shown signs of steadying after initial falls as equity investors look for bargain hunting opportunities, they said.

The benchmark Hang Seng stock index rallied about 1.4 per cent last month but is still down 6.1 per cent since mid-June when the unrest began.

"I think people are getting used to the weekly events," Steven Leung, executive director for institutional sales at brokerage UOB Kay Hian, said of the protests. "The impact was seen in the initial one to two months in share prices, and mostly in retail, property and tourism," he said. "(But) the index mostly reflects the onshore Chinese market and economy. Hong Kong companies' share is not that big."

Fundraising Needs

What started as protests over a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial have evolved into broader calls for greater democracy, among other demands in Hong Kong.

Demonstrators are frustrated at what they see as Beijing's tightening grip over the former British colony, which returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula intended to guarantee freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland.

After the initial nervousness about the unrest, things are looking up again in the financial markets, partly aided by hopes that Beijing would not take any step that would imperil the prospects of its only offshore financial centre, analysts said.

"The question is whether people think there is a replacement. Hong Kong still has quite a big investor pool," said Gary Ng, an economist at Natixis.

As many as 40 companies have filed IPO applications with the Hong Kong stock exchange in September, according to information available on its website, the highest pace of filing since March this year.

In addition to the Budweiser APAC IPO, Topsports International Holdings, the sportswear business of Chinese footwear retailer Belle International, last week launched a Hong Kong IPO of up to $1.2 billion. Companies expected to launch Hong Kong IPOs within a month include ESR Cayman Ltd, a developer and manager of logistics facilities, planning to raise about $1 billion, and a $1 billion-plus float of Prague-based consumer lender Home Credit. ESR and Home Credit declined to comment.

"A deal can always get done if the price is right, no matter what the market conditions are," said James Wang, co-head of equity capital markets in Asia ex-Japan, at Goldman Sachs, referring to the broader IPO market. "An IPO's timetable is driven more by the company's need to raise capital so in most cases, market conditions have to be severe to override that need and delay a deal."

Solid Demand

Investors including sovereign wealth funds and large global funds that invested in recent offerings are enthused by the lower valuations as well as long term business prospects, bankers said.

Budweiser, which relaunched its IPO last month after cancelling plans for a bigger float in July, priced the offering at the low end of the indicative range.

E-commerce giant Alibaba Group in August also delayed plans for a $15 billion listing in Hong Kong because of the political turmoil.

But such caution has not badly dented the demand for new and listed stocks.

In another sign of solid demand, net purchases on southbound stock connect that allows mainland-based investors to buy Hong Kong stocks - reached $8 billion in August, the most since January 2018. Other markets in Hong Kong are also holding up.

Demand from homebuyers in the world's most expensive property market has shown little signs of weakening due to the protests. Property firm Wheelock sold 80 per cent of its 816 flats in the development since late August, lower than sales at other launches this year, but "still good" given the current environment, property agents said.

Still, other factors including the US-Sino trade war and slowing global growth have been affecting financial markets and asset prices in Hong Kong, as they have elsewhere.

Sean Taylor, APAC chief investment officer at fund manager DWS said Hong Kong could benefit more than most if China and the United States reach an agreement on trade. In the meantime, investors needed to be patient.

"You've got to accept the situation that tourism levels are down, retail sales are down, property prices may come down a bit – you're going to be in a slow environment for a while," Taylor said.

As anti-government protesters fought pitched battles with police in Hong Kong streets last week, a group of bankers in another part of the city were busy taking in billions for the public float of the Asia unit of the world's largest brewer.

As anti-government protesters fought pitched battles with police in Hong Kong streets last week, a group of bankers in another part of the city were busy taking in billions for the public float of the Asia unit of the world's largest brewer. After a freeze during months of sometimes violent protests, Asia's top financial hub looks to be back in business. The stock market is off its lows, Hong Kong's love affair with property is undimmed and companies are forging ahead with listing plans. Budweiser Brewing Company APAC raised about $5 billion in its initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, making it the second-largest IPO in the world this year. Bankers say at least three more major companies are set to list in Hong Kong this month, selling more than $3 billion (£2.44 billion) worth of new shares. Hong Kong's status as a gateway for global capital flowing into and out of China, the world's second-largest economy, has seen many global banks and fund managers make its towering skyscrapers their regional homes. "How does this (unrest) affect you buying exposure to a good asset that has a presence in China, and is growing? None of those things have any correlation with the Hong Kong protests," said a senior banker with a global investment bank. "I don't think I have received even one phone call saying 'we shouldn't be doing this IPO because of what's happening in Hong Kong’," said the banker, declining to be named due to sensitivity of the issue. Watch: Hong Kong protesters hit police station with petrol bombs × Companies raised $15 billion in new listings in Hong Kong in the first nine months of 2019, second only to New York, according to Refinitiv data. While the protests have hurt tourism and retail sectors, threatening to send Hong Kong into its first recession in a decade, its proximity to the massive Chinese market and locally listed firms' presence there are more important, bankers and analysts say. Already, the Hong Kong stock market has shown signs of steadying after initial falls as equity investors look for bargain hunting opportunities, they said. The benchmark Hang Seng stock index rallied about 1.4 per cent last month but is still down 6.1 per cent since mid-June when the unrest began. "I think people are getting used to the weekly events," Steven Leung, executive director for institutional sales at brokerage UOB Kay Hian, said of the protests. "The impact was seen in the initial one to two months in share prices, and mostly in retail, property and tourism," he said. "(But) the index mostly reflects the onshore Chinese market and economy. Hong Kong companies' share is not that big." Fundraising Needs What started as protests over a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial have evolved into broader calls for greater democracy, among other demands in Hong Kong. Demonstrators are frustrated at what they see as Beijing's tightening grip over the former British colony, which returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula intended to guarantee freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland. After the initial nervousness about the unrest, things are looking up again in the financial markets, partly aided by hopes that Beijing would not take any step that would imperil the prospects of its only offshore financial centre, analysts said. "The question is whether people think there is a replacement. Hong Kong still has quite a big investor pool," said Gary Ng, an economist at Natixis. As many as 40 companies have filed IPO applications with the Hong Kong stock exchange in September, according to information available on its website, the highest pace of filing since March this year. In addition to the Budweiser APAC IPO, Topsports International Holdings, the sportswear business of Chinese footwear retailer Belle International, last week launched a Hong Kong IPO of up to $1.2 billion. Companies expected to launch Hong Kong IPOs within a month include ESR Cayman Ltd, a developer and manager of logistics facilities, planning to raise about $1 billion, and a $1 billion-plus float of Prague-based consumer lender Home Credit. ESR and Home Credit declined to comment. "A deal can always get done if the price is right, no matter what the market conditions are," said James Wang, co-head of equity capital markets in Asia ex-Japan, at Goldman Sachs, referring to the broader IPO market. "An IPO's timetable is driven more by the company's need to raise capital so in most cases, market conditions have to be severe to override that need and delay a deal." Solid Demand Investors including sovereign wealth funds and large global funds that invested in recent offerings are enthused by the lower valuations as well as long term business prospects, bankers said. Budweiser, which relaunched its IPO last month after cancelling plans for a bigger float in July, priced the offering at the low end of the indicative range. E-commerce giant Alibaba Group in August also delayed plans for a $15 billion listing in Hong Kong because of the political turmoil. But such caution has not badly dented the demand for new and listed stocks. In another sign of solid demand, net purchases on southbound stock connect that allows mainland-based investors to buy Hong Kong stocks - reached $8 billion in August, the most since January 2018. Other markets in Hong Kong are also holding up. Demand from homebuyers in the world's most expensive property market has shown little signs of weakening due to the protests. Property firm Wheelock sold 80 per cent of its 816 flats in the development since late August, lower than sales at other launches this year, but "still good" given the current environment, property agents said. Still, other factors including the US-Sino trade war and slowing global growth have been affecting financial markets and asset prices in Hong Kong, as they have elsewhere. Sean Taylor, APAC chief investment officer at fund manager DWS said Hong Kong could benefit more than most if China and the United States reach an agreement on trade. In the meantime, investors needed to be patient. "You've got to accept the situation that tourism levels are down, retail sales are down, property prices may come down a bit – you're going to be in a slow environment for a while," Taylor said.

Investors keep their faith in Hong Kong markets despite protests

Hong Kong demonstrators clashed with police into the early hours of Thursday, throwing petrol bombs and venting their anger over the shooting of a teenager earlier in the week, as months of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hong-kong-protesters-embrace-v-for-vendetta-guy-fawkes-masks-253288">anti-government protests</a> showed no sign of letting up.

Police urged the government to impose curfews to help curb the escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city, where officers have become a target of protesters amid accusations of excessive force.

Activists went on the rampage in districts across the Asian financial hub late into the night, setting fires, blocking roads and vandalising shops and metro stations as police fired tear gas to disperse them.

"Wherever there are protests nearby I'll come ... I'm out tonight for a simple reason. You <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-mops-up-braces-for-fresh-protests-after-national-day-violence-253194">don't shoot a teenager at point-blank range</a>," said Alex Chan, an interior designer at a protest in the bustling shopping district of Causeway Bay.

"These protests will continue and we won't give up."

Thousands took to the streets on Wednesday to denounce the shooting by police of an 18-year-old secondary-school student, which police said was an act of self-defence.

The student was shot at point-blank range as he fought a police officer with a metal pipe on Tuesday when demonstrators hurled petrol bombs at police who responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon.

Rail operator MTR Corp closed stations in districts including Po Lam, Hang Hau and Tseung Kwan O just before midnight on Wednesday as violence escalated once again. All affected stations had reopened later Thursday.

Lam Chi-wai, chairman of Junior Police Officers Association, urged the city's leader to impose a curfew to maintain public order, according to a statement released on Wednesday.

"We are only an enforcement agency with limited power under the law. When facing such a series of massive rioting incidents, we cannot work alone - clapping only with one hand - without appropriate measures and support from top-level," Lam said.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-flash-mob-rallies-erupt-as-anger-mounts-over-shot-protester-253229">Hong Kong</a> public has become increasingly hostile towards police amid accusations of heavy-handed tactics. Police say they have shown restraint in the face of increased violence.

The lawyer for an Indonesian journalist injured when police fired a projectile during protests on Sunday said she will be left blind in one eye.

The former British colony has been rocked by months of protests over a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial, but have evolved into calls for democracy, among other demands.

The opposition to the Beijing-backed government has plunged the city into its biggest political crisis in decades and poses the gravest popular challenge to President Xi Jinping since he came to power.

Protesters are also angry about what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in their city's affairs despite a promise of autonomy in the "one country, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong returned to China in 1997.

China dismisses accusations it is meddling and has accused foreign governments, including the United States and Britain, of stirring up the anti-China sentiment. 
&nbsp;

Hong Kong demonstrators clashed with police into the early hours of Thursday, throwing petrol bombs and venting their anger over the shooting of a teenager earlier in the week, as months of anti-government protests showed no sign of letting up.

Hong Kong demonstrators clashed with police into the early hours of Thursday, throwing petrol bombs and venting their anger over the shooting of a teenager earlier in the week, as months of anti-government protests showed no sign of letting up. Police urged the government to impose curfews to help curb the escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city, where officers have become a target of protesters amid accusations of excessive force. Activists went on the rampage in districts across the Asian financial hub late into the night, setting fires, blocking roads and vandalising shops and metro stations as police fired tear gas to disperse them. "Wherever there are protests nearby I'll come ... I'm out tonight for a simple reason. You don't shoot a teenager at point-blank range," said Alex Chan, an interior designer at a protest in the bustling shopping district of Causeway Bay. "These protests will continue and we won't give up." Thousands took to the streets on Wednesday to denounce the shooting by police of an 18-year-old secondary-school student, which police said was an act of self-defence. The student was shot at point-blank range as he fought a police officer with a metal pipe on Tuesday when demonstrators hurled petrol bombs at police who responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon. Rail operator MTR Corp closed stations in districts including Po Lam, Hang Hau and Tseung Kwan O just before midnight on Wednesday as violence escalated once again. All affected stations had reopened later Thursday. Lam Chi-wai, chairman of Junior Police Officers Association, urged the city's leader to impose a curfew to maintain public order, according to a statement released on Wednesday. "We are only an enforcement agency with limited power under the law. When facing such a series of massive rioting incidents, we cannot work alone - clapping only with one hand - without appropriate measures and support from top-level," Lam said. The Hong Kong public has become increasingly hostile towards police amid accusations of heavy-handed tactics. Police say they have shown restraint in the face of increased violence. The lawyer for an Indonesian journalist injured when police fired a projectile during protests on Sunday said she will be left blind in one eye. The former British colony has been rocked by months of protests over a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial, but have evolved into calls for democracy, among other demands. The opposition to the Beijing-backed government has plunged the city into its biggest political crisis in decades and poses the gravest popular challenge to President Xi Jinping since he came to power. Protesters are also angry about what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in their city's affairs despite a promise of autonomy in the "one country, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong returned to China in 1997. China dismisses accusations it is meddling and has accused foreign governments, including the United States and Britain, of stirring up the anti-China sentiment.

Hong Kong police calls for curfew as clashes over shot protester intensifies

Hong Kong is set to enact an emergency law to ban face masks at rallies, media reported on Thursday, as authorities grapple with nearly four months of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-flash-mob-rallies-erupt-as-anger-mounts-over-shot-protester-253229">anti-government protests.</a>

Many demonstrators wear face masks to hide their identities and shield themselves from tear gas.

The Hong Kong stock market jumped to a one-week high on the news, reported by media outlets TVB and Cable TV.

The unrest, which began over opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial, shows no sign of letting up.

Demonstrators, angry over the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/east-asia/police-shoot-hong-kong-protester-in-chest-during-clashes-253085">shooting of an 18-year-old</a> this week by police, clashed with police into the early hours of Thursday.

Demonstrators threw petrol bombs and police responded with tear gas.

Police have also urged the government to impose curfews to help curb the escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city, where officers have become a target of protesters amid accusations of excessive force.

Hong Kong is set to enact an emergency law to ban face masks at rallies, media reported on Thursday, as authorities grapple with nearly four months of anti-government protests.

Hong Kong is set to enact an emergency law to ban face masks at rallies, media reported on Thursday, as authorities grapple with nearly four months of anti-government protests. Many demonstrators wear face masks to hide their identities and shield themselves from tear gas. The Hong Kong stock market jumped to a one-week high on the news, reported by media outlets TVB and Cable TV. The unrest, which began over opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial, shows no sign of letting up. Demonstrators, angry over the shooting of an 18-year-old this week by police, clashed with police into the early hours of Thursday. Demonstrators threw petrol bombs and police responded with tear gas. Police have also urged the government to impose curfews to help curb the escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city, where officers have become a target of protesters amid accusations of excessive force.

Hong Kong set to ban face masks in bid to curb violence: Report

Spontaneous flash-mob rallies <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/whats-next-for-hong-kongs-protest-movement-251680">broke out in Hong Kong</a> on Wednesday as anger mounted over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-mops-up-braces-for-fresh-protests-after-national-day-violence-253194">police shooting a teenage protester</a> who attacked officers in a dramatic escalation of the violent unrest that has engulfed the territory for months.

A few thousand demonstrators, including office workers in shirts and suits, mustered in a park and then began marching through the city's commercial district in an unsanctioned rally, chanting anti-police and anti-government slogans.

Hours earlier, hundreds of students staged a sit-in at the school of 18-year-old Tsang Chi-kin, who was shot in the chest by a policeman as he and a group of masked protesters attacked officers with umbrellas and poles.

The international finance hub has been left reeling from the shooting, the first time a demonstrator has been struck with a live round in nearly four months of increasingly violent pro-democracy protests.

Hong Kong was battered by the most sustained political clashes of the year on Tuesday as China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule with a massive military parade in Beijing.

The spiralling violence underscored seething public anger against Beijing's rule and shifted the spotlight from China's carefully choreographed birthday party, which was designed to showcase its status as a global superpower.

Running battles raged for hours across multiple locations as hardcore protesters hurled rocks and petrol bombs. Police responded for the most part with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firing-of-live-rounds-was-lawful-and-fair-hong-kong-police-defends-use-of-live-ammunition-253181">Police said the officer fired at Tsang because he feared for his life</a> on a day that saw his colleagues fire five warning shots from their pistols throughout the city.

"In this very short span of time, he made a decision and shot the assailant," police chief Stephen Lo said.

But protest groups said the officer charged into the melee with his firearm drawn and condemned the increasing use of live rounds.

"The people of Hong Kong are sick and tired of having mere words of condemnation as their only shields against lethal bullets and rifles," a masked protester said at a press conference near Tsang's school.

Opinion divided

The shooting was captured on video that quickly went viral.

Opinion towards the shooting has largely cemented along ideological divides with pro-democracy activists condemning the police and establishment figures calling it a justified use of force.

Tsang, who was filmed trying to strike the officer with a pole as he was shot, was taken to a nearby hospital in a critical condition but authorities said his condition had since improved.

A friend and classmate of Tsang, who gave his first name Marco, said the 18-year-old was a keen basketballer who was infuriated by sliding freedoms in Hong Kong and the police response to the protests.

"If he sees any problems or anything unjust, he would face it bravely, speak up against it, instead of bearing it silently," Marco told AFP.

Police said 25 officers were injured in the National Day clashes, including some who suffered chemical burns from a corrosive liquid that was thrown at them by protesters. The liquid also wounded some journalists.

Hospital authorities said more than 70 people were admitted on Tuesday. Police made some 160 arrests throughout the day.

On Wednesday, 96 protesters arrested during clashes with police on Sunday appeared in court charged with rioting, according to court documents. Their ages ranged from 14 to 39.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sit-in-at-school-of-hong-kong-protester-shot-by-police-253170">The majority were students</a> in their early twenties but other occupations listed included a waitress, a teacher, a doctor, an advertising executive and a cook.

Hong Kong's protests were ignited by a now-scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the mainland.

But after Beijing and local leaders took a hardline they snowballed into a wider movement calling for democratic freedoms and police accountability.

With Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam seemingly unwilling or unable to find a political solution, police have been left to battle increasingly radicalised protesters.

The sentiment is hardening on all sides.

Protesters and some local residents routinely shout "triads" at officers who often respond by calling demonstrators "cockroaches".

The protest movement's main demands are an independent inquiry into police actions, an amnesty for those arrested and universal suffrage.

But Beijing and Lam have said they are unwilling to meet those demands.

Spontaneous flash-mob rallies broke out in Hong Kong on Wednesday as anger mounted over police shooting a teenage protester who attacked officers in a dramatic escalation of the violent unrest that has engulfed the territory for months.

Spontaneous flash-mob rallies broke out in Hong Kong on Wednesday as anger mounted over police shooting a teenage protester who attacked officers in a dramatic escalation of the violent unrest that has engulfed the territory for months. A few thousand demonstrators, including office workers in shirts and suits, mustered in a park and then began marching through the city's commercial district in an unsanctioned rally, chanting anti-police and anti-government slogans. Hours earlier, hundreds of students staged a sit-in at the school of 18-year-old Tsang Chi-kin, who was shot in the chest by a policeman as he and a group of masked protesters attacked officers with umbrellas and poles. The international finance hub has been left reeling from the shooting, the first time a demonstrator has been struck with a live round in nearly four months of increasingly violent pro-democracy protests. Hong Kong was battered by the most sustained political clashes of the year on Tuesday as China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule with a massive military parade in Beijing. The spiralling violence underscored seething public anger against Beijing's rule and shifted the spotlight from China's carefully choreographed birthday party, which was designed to showcase its status as a global superpower. Running battles raged for hours across multiple locations as hardcore protesters hurled rocks and petrol bombs. Police responded for the most part with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon. Police said the officer fired at Tsang because he feared for his life on a day that saw his colleagues fire five warning shots from their pistols throughout the city. "In this very short span of time, he made a decision and shot the assailant," police chief Stephen Lo said. But protest groups said the officer charged into the melee with his firearm drawn and condemned the increasing use of live rounds. "The people of Hong Kong are sick and tired of having mere words of condemnation as their only shields against lethal bullets and rifles," a masked protester said at a press conference near Tsang's school. Opinion divided The shooting was captured on video that quickly went viral. Opinion towards the shooting has largely cemented along ideological divides with pro-democracy activists condemning the police and establishment figures calling it a justified use of force. Tsang, who was filmed trying to strike the officer with a pole as he was shot, was taken to a nearby hospital in a critical condition but authorities said his condition had since improved. A friend and classmate of Tsang, who gave his first name Marco, said the 18-year-old was a keen basketballer who was infuriated by sliding freedoms in Hong Kong and the police response to the protests. "If he sees any problems or anything unjust, he would face it bravely, speak up against it, instead of bearing it silently," Marco told AFP. Police said 25 officers were injured in the National Day clashes, including some who suffered chemical burns from a corrosive liquid that was thrown at them by protesters. The liquid also wounded some journalists. Hospital authorities said more than 70 people were admitted on Tuesday. Police made some 160 arrests throughout the day. On Wednesday, 96 protesters arrested during clashes with police on Sunday appeared in court charged with rioting, according to court documents. Their ages ranged from 14 to 39. The majority were students in their early twenties but other occupations listed included a waitress, a teacher, a doctor, an advertising executive and a cook. Hong Kong's protests were ignited by a now-scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the mainland. But after Beijing and local leaders took a hardline they snowballed into a wider movement calling for democratic freedoms and police accountability. With Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam seemingly unwilling or unable to find a political solution, police have been left to battle increasingly radicalised protesters. The sentiment is hardening on all sides. Protesters and some local residents routinely shout "triads" at officers who often respond by calling demonstrators "cockroaches". The protest movement's main demands are an independent inquiry into police actions, an amnesty for those arrested and universal suffrage. But Beijing and Lam have said they are unwilling to meet those demands.

Hong Kong flash-mob rallies erupt as anger mounts over shot protester

About 200 protesters, including secondary students in the same class as a protester <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firing-of-live-rounds-was-lawful-and-fair-hong-kong-police-defends-use-of-live-ammunition-253181">who was shot point-blank by police</a>, held a demonstration outside his school on Wednesday.

Protesters outside Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College chanted "Free Hong Kong", condemned the police and urged a thorough investigation into the shooting.

Anti-government protests turned violent early on Tuesday&nbsp;and continued into the night, with intense cat-and-mouse skirmishes marring celebrations in Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1.

Protesters <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sit-in-at-school-of-hong-kong-protester-shot-by-police-253170">have previously been hit with bean bags rounds and rubber bullets</a> and officers have fired live rounds in the air, but this was the first time a demonstrator had been shot with a live round.

Police said the officer involved was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/use-of-live-ammunition-disproportionate-risks-inflaming-situation-uk-on-hong-kong-police-action-253125">under serious threat</a> and acted in accordance with official guidelines. The man was conscious when taken to hospital, police added, but his condition was not immediately available on Wednesday.

About 200 protesters, including secondary students in the same class as a protester who was shot point-blank by police, held a demonstration outside his school on Wednesday.

About 200 protesters, including secondary students in the same class as a protester who was shot point-blank by police, held a demonstration outside his school on Wednesday. Protesters outside Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College chanted "Free Hong Kong", condemned the police and urged a thorough investigation into the shooting. Anti-government protests turned violent early on Tuesday and continued into the night, with intense cat-and-mouse skirmishes marring celebrations in Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1. Protesters have previously been hit with bean bags rounds and rubber bullets and officers have fired live rounds in the air, but this was the first time a demonstrator had been shot with a live round. Police said the officer involved was under serious threat and acted in accordance with official guidelines. The man was conscious when taken to hospital, police added, but his condition was not immediately available on Wednesday.

Students rally after Hong Kong police shoots teenage protester in chest

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;&nbsp;awoke to widespread damage on Wednesday&nbsp;and calls for more&nbsp;protests&nbsp;following some of the most violent clashes in nearly four months of unrest, including the shooting of a teenage demonstrator by police.

Anti-government&nbsp;protests&nbsp;turned violent early on Tuesday&nbsp;and continued into the night, with intense cat-and-mouse skirmishes marring celebrations in Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October&nbsp;1.

Images of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firing-of-live-rounds-was-lawful-and-fair-hong-kong-police-defends-use-of-live-ammunition-253181">police</a> firing tear gas and water cannon at petrol bomb-throwing protesters were beamed live to the world in areas spreading from the popular shopping district of Causeway Bay to the Admiralty area of government offices, over the harbour to Kowloon and beyond to the New Territories.

Watch Video: Hong Kong Protest&nbsp;Video shows&nbsp;Police shooting protester

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Secondary schools in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sit-in-at-school-of-hong-kong-protester-shot-by-police-253170">Hong&nbsp;Kong</a>&nbsp;were planning a mass class boycott on Wednesday&nbsp;in response to the point-blank shooting of an 18-year-old man that was captured in dramatic video footage.

Protesters have previously been hit with bean bags rounds and rubber bullets and officers have fired live rounds in the air, but this was the first time a demonstrator had been shot with a live round.

Police said the officer involved was under serious threat and acted in accordance with official guidelines. The man was conscious when taken to hospital, police added, but his condition was not immediately available on Wednesday.

MTR Corp shut nearly 50 stations to stop protesters moving around on Tuesday, making the rail operator once again a target of vandalism. Demonstrators have stepped&nbsp;up&nbsp;attacks on the MTR, which has been blamed for closing stations at the government's behest.

By early Wednesday, all metro stations were open although some lines were running slower than normal as MTR workers tried to repair damage to ready the service for the nearly 6 million people who use it every&nbsp;day.

Many stores and businesses had closed on Tuesday&nbsp;after&nbsp;demonstrators vowed to seize the opportunity on China's&nbsp;National&nbsp;Day&nbsp;to propel their calls for greater democracy onto the international&nbsp;stage.

The&nbsp;protests&nbsp;have plunged the former British colony into its biggest political crisis in decades and pose the gravest popular challenge to President Xi Jinping since he came to power.

The demonstrations have also taken a growing toll on the city's economy as it faces its first recession in a decade and comes as the central government is already grappling with a US-China trade war and a global slowdown.

Protesters are angry about what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in their city's affairs despite a promise of autonomy.

China dismisses those claims and has accused foreign governments, including the United States and Britain, of fanning anti-China sentiment.

Hong Kong awoke to widespread damage on Wednesday and calls for more protests following some of the most violent clashes in nearly four months of unrest, including the shooting of a teenage demonstrator by police.

Hong Kong awoke to widespread damage on Wednesday and calls for more protests following some of the most violent clashes in nearly four months of unrest, including the shooting of a teenage demonstrator by police. Anti-government protests turned violent early on Tuesday and continued into the night, with intense cat-and-mouse skirmishes marring celebrations in Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1. Images of police firing tear gas and water cannon at petrol bomb-throwing protesters were beamed live to the world in areas spreading from the popular shopping district of Causeway Bay to the Admiralty area of government offices, over the harbour to Kowloon and beyond to the New Territories. Watch Video: Hong Kong Protest Video shows Police shooting protester × Secondary schools in Hong Kong were planning a mass class boycott on Wednesday in response to the point-blank shooting of an 18-year-old man that was captured in dramatic video footage. Protesters have previously been hit with bean bags rounds and rubber bullets and officers have fired live rounds in the air, but this was the first time a demonstrator had been shot with a live round. Police said the officer involved was under serious threat and acted in accordance with official guidelines. The man was conscious when taken to hospital, police added, but his condition was not immediately available on Wednesday. MTR Corp shut nearly 50 stations to stop protesters moving around on Tuesday, making the rail operator once again a target of vandalism. Demonstrators have stepped up attacks on the MTR, which has been blamed for closing stations at the government's behest. By early Wednesday, all metro stations were open although some lines were running slower than normal as MTR workers tried to repair damage to ready the service for the nearly 6 million people who use it every day. Many stores and businesses had closed on Tuesday after demonstrators vowed to seize the opportunity on China's National Day to propel their calls for greater democracy onto the international stage. The protests have plunged the former British colony into its biggest political crisis in decades and pose the gravest popular challenge to President Xi Jinping since he came to power. The demonstrations have also taken a growing toll on the city's economy as it faces its first recession in a decade and comes as the central government is already grappling with a US-China trade war and a global slowdown. Protesters are angry about what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in their city's affairs despite a promise of autonomy. China dismisses those claims and has accused foreign governments, including the United States and Britain, of fanning anti-China sentiment.

Hong Kong mops up, braces for fresh protests after National Day violence

Hundreds of Hong Kongers staged a sit-in on Wednesday outside the school of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/use-of-live-ammunition-disproportionate-risks-inflaming-situation-uk-on-hong-kong-police-action-253125">protester who was shot by police</a> as authorities said the wounded 18-year-old was now in a stable condition.

The international finance hub has been left reeling from the shooting, the first time <a href="https://www.wionews.com/east-asia/police-shoot-hong-kong-protester-in-chest-during-clashes-253085">a demonstrator has been struck with a live round</a> in nearly four months of increasingly violent pro-democracy protests.

Hong Kong was battered by the most sustained political clashes of the year on Tuesday as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/peoples-republic-of-china-celebrates-70th-anniversary-in-beijing-253128">China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule</a> with a massive military parade in Beijing.&nbsp;

The spiralling violence underscored seething public anger against Beijing's rule and shifted the spotlight from China's carefully choreographed birthday party, which was designed to showcase its status as a global superpower.

Running battles raged for hours across multiple locations as hardcore protesters hurled rocks and petrol bombs. Police responded for the most part with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon.

Watch: Hong Kong Protest - video shows Police shooting protester

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In Tsuen Wan district, a police officer fired his weapon at close range into the chest of Tsang Chi-kin, 18, as his unit was attacked by protesters armed with poles and umbrellas.&nbsp;

Police said the officer feared for his life on a day that saw his colleagues fire five warning shots from their pistols throughout the city.

"In this very short span of time, he made a decision and shot the assailant," police chief Stephen Lo said.

But protest groups said the officer charged into the melee with his firearm drawn and condemned the increasing use of live rounds.

"HK (has) fallen into a de facto police state," democracy activist Joshua Wong tweeted. "The paramilitary security forces completely took over this city."

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On China’s National Day. 
 
1. HK fallen into a de facto police state. No official has spoken publicly yet. The paramilitary security forces completely took over this city. <a href="https://t.co/rZaplmbqtf">pic.twitter.com/rZaplmbqtf</a>
— Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 (@joshuawongcf) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshuawongcf/status/1179035133946413056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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From critical to stable

The shooting was captured on video that quickly went viral.

Outside Tsang's school on Monday students chanted slogans and held pictures of the incident, taken form videos posted on Facebook.&nbsp;

"No rioters, only tyranny," they chanted, alongside other popular protest slogans.

Tsang, who was filmed trying to strike the officer with a pole as he was shot, was taken to a nearby hospital in a critical condition but authorities said his condition has since improved.&nbsp;

"According to the latest information of the Hospital Authority, the current condition of the man is stable," the government said in a statement.

A friend and classmate of Tsang, who gave his first name Marco, said the 18-year-old was a keen basketballer who was infuriated by sliding freedoms in Hong Kong and the police response to the protests.&nbsp;

"If he sees any problems or anything unjust, he would face it bravely, speak up against it, instead of bearing it silently," Marco told AFP.

Police said 25 officers were injured in the National Day clashes, including some who suffered chemical burns from a corrosive liquid that was thrown at them by protesters. The liquid also wounded some journalists.

Hospital authorities said more than 70 people were admitted on Tuesday. Police made some 160 arrests throughout the day.

Hong Kong's protests were ignited by a now-scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the mainland.&nbsp;

But after Beijing and local leaders took a hardline they snowballed into a wider movement calling for democratic freedoms and police accountability.

With Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam seemingly unwilling or unable to find a political solution, police have been left to battle increasingly radicalised protesters.

The sentiment is hardening on all sides.&nbsp;

Protesters and some local residents routinely shout "triads" at officers often respond by calling demonstrators "cockroaches".

The protest movement's main demands are an independent inquiry into police actions, an amnesty for those arrested and universal suffrage.&nbsp;

But Beijing and Lam have said they are unwilling to meet those demands.

Hundreds of Hong Kongers staged a sit-in on Wednesday outside the school of a protester who was shot by police as authorities said the wounded 18-year-old was now in a stable condition.

Hundreds of Hong Kongers staged a sit-in on Wednesday outside the school of a protester who was shot by police as authorities said the wounded 18-year-old was now in a stable condition. The international finance hub has been left reeling from the shooting, the first time a demonstrator has been struck with a live round in nearly four months of increasingly violent pro-democracy protests. Hong Kong was battered by the most sustained political clashes of the year on Tuesday as China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule with a massive military parade in Beijing. The spiralling violence underscored seething public anger against Beijing's rule and shifted the spotlight from China's carefully choreographed birthday party, which was designed to showcase its status as a global superpower. Running battles raged for hours across multiple locations as hardcore protesters hurled rocks and petrol bombs. Police responded for the most part with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon. Watch: Hong Kong Protest - video shows Police shooting protester × In Tsuen Wan district, a police officer fired his weapon at close range into the chest of Tsang Chi-kin, 18, as his unit was attacked by protesters armed with poles and umbrellas. Police said the officer feared for his life on a day that saw his colleagues fire five warning shots from their pistols throughout the city. "In this very short span of time, he made a decision and shot the assailant," police chief Stephen Lo said. But protest groups said the officer charged into the melee with his firearm drawn and condemned the increasing use of live rounds. "HK (has) fallen into a de facto police state," democracy activist Joshua Wong tweeted. "The paramilitary security forces completely took over this city." On China’s National Day. 1. HK fallen into a de facto police state. No official has spoken publicly yet. The paramilitary security forces completely took over this city. pic.twitter.com/rZaplmbqtf — Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 (@joshuawongcf) October 1, 2019 × From critical to stable The shooting was captured on video that quickly went viral. Outside Tsang's school on Monday students chanted slogans and held pictures of the incident, taken form videos posted on Facebook. "No rioters, only tyranny," they chanted, alongside other popular protest slogans. Tsang, who was filmed trying to strike the officer with a pole as he was shot, was taken to a nearby hospital in a critical condition but authorities said his condition has since improved. "According to the latest information of the Hospital Authority, the current condition of the man is stable," the government said in a statement. A friend and classmate of Tsang, who gave his first name Marco, said the 18-year-old was a keen basketballer who was infuriated by sliding freedoms in Hong Kong and the police response to the protests. "If he sees any problems or anything unjust, he would face it bravely, speak up against it, instead of bearing it silently," Marco told AFP. Police said 25 officers were injured in the National Day clashes, including some who suffered chemical burns from a corrosive liquid that was thrown at them by protesters. The liquid also wounded some journalists. Hospital authorities said more than 70 people were admitted on Tuesday. Police made some 160 arrests throughout the day. Hong Kong's protests were ignited by a now-scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the mainland. But after Beijing and local leaders took a hardline they snowballed into a wider movement calling for democratic freedoms and police accountability. With Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam seemingly unwilling or unable to find a political solution, police have been left to battle increasingly radicalised protesters. The sentiment is hardening on all sides. Protesters and some local residents routinely shout "triads" at officers often respond by calling demonstrators "cockroaches". The protest movement's main demands are an independent inquiry into police actions, an amnesty for those arrested and universal suffrage. But Beijing and Lam have said they are unwilling to meet those demands.

Sit-in at school of Hong Kong protester shot by police

Strife torn <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-flash-mob-rallies-erupt-as-anger-mounts-over-shot-protester-253229">Hong Kong</a> has suffered a record slump in retail sales, data showed Wednesday, as the city reels from four months of increasingly violent pro-democracy protests.

The international finance hub is a major international tourist destination and especially popular with mainland Chinese shoppers hoping to snap up bargains in a city with no sales tax.

But this summer's protests, sparked by rising public anger towards Beijing's rule, has battered the economy which was already struggling with the US-China trade war fallout.

New figures released Wednesday showed retail sales declined by a record 23 per cent year on year in August, compounding an 11.5 per cent slump the month before.

Both police and protesters have only escalated their violence since then so there is little chance September's figures will fair any better.

Tuesday witnessed the worst clashes of the summer as China celebrated <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/peoples-republic-of-china-celebrates-70th-anniversary-in-beijing-253128">70 years of Communist Party</a> rule with a massive military parade in Beijing.

The spiralling clashes underscored seething public anger against Beijing's rule and shifted the spotlight from China's carefully choreographed birthday party.

Usually, the first week of October is a bumper time for retailers.

Hong Kong Protest: Video shows police shooting protester

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Huge numbers of Chinese mainland tourists visit during the so-called Golden Week holiday.

But tourist arrivals from the mainland have tumbled as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-marks-70th-national-day-with-military-parade-253164">Beijing</a> takes a hardline with protesters and police fight near-weekly battles against demonstrators.

On-year tourist arrivals fell 40 per cent in the last month, led by a collapse in visitors from the mainland, by far the largest group, with hotel occupancy rates down around half.

Luxury goods are thought to have been hit particularly hard.

Many of the clashes have taken place in the districts of Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay, both areas of the city that are packed with luxury malls and retailers.

Multiple shops in Causeway Bay told AFP last month their takings were down by as much as 30 per cent over the summer.

The city's economy likely entered a technical recession in the third quarter, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said in September.

Strife torn Hong Kong has suffered a record slump in retail sales, data showed Wednesday, as the city reels from four months of increasingly violent pro-democracy protests.

Strife torn Hong Kong has suffered a record slump in retail sales, data showed Wednesday, as the city reels from four months of increasingly violent pro-democracy protests. The international finance hub is a major international tourist destination and especially popular with mainland Chinese shoppers hoping to snap up bargains in a city with no sales tax. But this summer's protests, sparked by rising public anger towards Beijing's rule, has battered the economy which was already struggling with the US-China trade war fallout. New figures released Wednesday showed retail sales declined by a record 23 per cent year on year in August, compounding an 11.5 per cent slump the month before. Both police and protesters have only escalated their violence since then so there is little chance September's figures will fair any better. Tuesday witnessed the worst clashes of the summer as China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule with a massive military parade in Beijing. The spiralling clashes underscored seething public anger against Beijing's rule and shifted the spotlight from China's carefully choreographed birthday party. Usually, the first week of October is a bumper time for retailers. Hong Kong Protest: Video shows police shooting protester Huge numbers of Chinese mainland tourists visit during the so-called Golden Week holiday. But tourist arrivals from the mainland have tumbled as Beijing takes a hardline with protesters and police fight near-weekly battles against demonstrators. On-year tourist arrivals fell 40 per cent in the last month, led by a collapse in visitors from the mainland, by far the largest group, with hotel occupancy rates down around half. Luxury goods are thought to have been hit particularly hard. Many of the clashes have taken place in the districts of Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay, both areas of the city that are packed with luxury malls and retailers. Multiple shops in Causeway Bay told AFP last month their takings were down by as much as 30 per cent over the summer. The city's economy likely entered a technical recession in the third quarter, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said in September.

Hong Kong's August retail sales hammered by summer of rage

As Hong Kong raged with the worst political violence so far this summer, many of those hitting the streets adopted a new symbol -- smiling Guy Fawkes masks. 
 
The face coverings, made popular by the comic book and film "V for Vendetta", have been embraced by multiple protest movements in recent years, particularly Anonymous hactivists and Occupy Wall Street. 
 
But until recently they had not made much of an appearance at the huge pro-democracy demonstrations currently battering Hong Kong. 
 
That changed on Tuesday when China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule with a massive military parade in Beijing.&nbsp;Protesters in Hong Kong dubbed the celebrations a "Day of Grief", and took to the streets in huge numbers as battles raged for hours with police. 
 
Many online forums encouraged protesters to wear Guy Fawkes masks. 
 
The masks first appeared in the early 1980s in the cult-hit comic "V for Vendetta" by British writer Alan Moore. 
 
In his book a masked anarchist takes on an imaginary British fascist government by blowing up the Houses of Parliament -- echoing the ultimately unsuccessful actions of the real Fawkes in 1605, who attempted a Catholic rebellion. 
 
A 2005 film based on the comic brought Moore's character mass appeal. 
 
One man, protesting on Tuesday while wearing the mask, said he took inspiration from the book's protagonist as demonstrators push communist China for full democratic freedoms. 
 
"The character of Vendetta is a symbol of anti-totalitarianism around the world. I believe this vivid character would bring international attention and concern," he told AFP. 
 
Later that day an 18-year-old demonstrator was shot in the chest as he and a group attacked police officers. 
 
The incident, which police have said was justified, has sparked more protester fury. 
 
At a sit-in outside the teenager's school on Wednesday, a person delivered a statement condemning police -- hiding his face behind a Guy Fawkes mask. 
 
Hours later, protesters held a "Citizen's Press Conference" in the same district. Two speakers were wearing the masks.

As Hong Kong raged with the worst political violence so far this summer, many of those hitting the streets adopted a new symbol -- smiling Guy Fawkes masks. The face coverings, made popular by the comic book and film "V for Vendetta", have been embraced by multiple protest movements in recent years, particularly Anonymous hactivists and Occupy Wall Street.

As Hong Kong raged with the worst political violence so far this summer, many of those hitting the streets adopted a new symbol -- smiling Guy Fawkes masks. The face coverings, made popular by the comic book and film "V for Vendetta", have been embraced by multiple protest movements in recent years, particularly Anonymous hactivists and Occupy Wall Street. But until recently they had not made much of an appearance at the huge pro-democracy demonstrations currently battering Hong Kong. That changed on Tuesday when China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule with a massive military parade in Beijing. Protesters in Hong Kong dubbed the celebrations a "Day of Grief", and took to the streets in huge numbers as battles raged for hours with police. Many online forums encouraged protesters to wear Guy Fawkes masks. The masks first appeared in the early 1980s in the cult-hit comic "V for Vendetta" by British writer Alan Moore. In his book a masked anarchist takes on an imaginary British fascist government by blowing up the Houses of Parliament -- echoing the ultimately unsuccessful actions of the real Fawkes in 1605, who attempted a Catholic rebellion. A 2005 film based on the comic brought Moore's character mass appeal. One man, protesting on Tuesday while wearing the mask, said he took inspiration from the book's protagonist as demonstrators push communist China for full democratic freedoms. "The character of Vendetta is a symbol of anti-totalitarianism around the world. I believe this vivid character would bring international attention and concern," he told AFP. Later that day an 18-year-old demonstrator was shot in the chest as he and a group attacked police officers. The incident, which police have said was justified, has sparked more protester fury. At a sit-in outside the teenager's school on Wednesday, a person delivered a statement condemning police -- hiding his face behind a Guy Fawkes mask. Hours later, protesters held a "Citizen's Press Conference" in the same district. Two speakers were wearing the masks.

Hong Kong protesters embrace 'V for Vendetta' Guy Fawkes masks

Hong Kong authorities start arrests after violent clashes

Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at pro-democracy protesters across the territory as its Chinese rulers celebrated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic.

Hong Kong protests: WION reports from ground zero

Strife-torn Hong Kong on Tuesday marked the 70th anniversary of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-70th-anniversary-national-day-parade-china-unveils-dongfeng-41-nuke-missile-that-can-strike-us-in-30-minutes-252957">Communist China</a>'s founding with defiant "Day of Grief" protests and fresh clashes with police as pro-democracy activists ignored a ban on marches and took to the streets.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/china-celebrates-70th-anniversary-of-communist-rule-252939">In pictures: China celebrates 70th anniversary of Communist rule</a>

Activists are determined to overshadow <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-anniversary-no-force-can-shake-the-chinese-nation-says-president-xi-jinping-252931">Beijing's festivities</a>, using the anniversary to step up their nearly four months of protests pushing for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability.

Thousands marched through the streets of Hong Kong island on Tuesday afternoon, despite authorities rejecting an application to hold a rally there as police warned people "to leave the scene as soon as possible".

Smaller crowds rallied in a number of other districts with clashes quickly breaking out.

In Tsuen Wan, masked protesters used umbrellas and sticks to beat riot officers after they made a series of arrests. The officers retreated into a nearby town hall after they came under a barrage of projectiles.

In Wong Tai Sin, police fired brief volleys of tear gas against protesters who had blocked nearby roads.

The biggest march remained on Hong Kong island, a frequent battlefield between police and protesters where multiple malls and shops remained shuttered for the public holiday.

"Three months on and our five demands have yet to be achieved. We need to continue our fight," a protester, wearing a mask from the cult film and comic book "V for Vendetta", said.

Leader watches Beijing parade

The protests came as lavish celebrations were taking place in Beijing, including a huge military parade through Tiananmen Square under the gaze of China's strongman President Xi Jinping.

Among those watching the parade was Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, who has historically low approval ratings at home as public anger boils over Beijing's increased control of the semi-autonomous city.

Millions have hit the streets in record-breaking numbers while hardcore activists have repeatedly clashed with police, in the biggest challenge to China's rule since the city's 1997 handover by Britain.

In a vivid illustration of the political insecurity now coursing through Hong Kong, city officials watched a morning harbourside flag-raising ceremony from the safety of the nearby convention centre.

Since the 1997 handover, officials had always attended the ceremony outside, even during torrential downpours.

But popular protests that erupted in June have made it increasingly risky for officials to appear in public.

A flag-raising ceremony on July 1 -- the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover -- was also watched from indoors as protesters flooded the streets and later laid siege to the city's legislature.

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung delivered an address in which he praised China's development over the last 70 years.

But he said officials recognised they needed "new thinking to try to address deep-rooted problems" in Hong Kong.

Throughout the morning police ramped up security checks and conducted frequent stop and searches while authorities announced the closure of a dozen subway stations.

But the measures did little to halt crowds appearing in the afternoon.

Rival pro-China rallies were also held.

In the morning, a crowd of some 50 people waved flags and chanted "Long live the motherland!"

"We are Chinese and the whole nation is celebrating," Kitty Chan, 30, told AFP.

Hong Kong's protests were initially sparked by a now scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the mainland but have since snowballed into a much wider movement of popular anger against city leaders and Beijing.&nbsp;

Among the demands made by protesters is an inquiry into the police, an amnesty for the more than 1,500 people arrested and universal suffrage -- all of which have been rejected by Beijing and Lam.

Strife-torn Hong Kong on Tuesday marked the 70th anniversary of Communist China's founding with defiant "Day of Grief" protests and fresh clashes with police as pro-democracy activists ignored a ban on marches and took to the streets.

Strife-torn Hong Kong on Tuesday marked the 70th anniversary of Communist China's founding with defiant "Day of Grief" protests and fresh clashes with police as pro-democracy activists ignored a ban on marches and took to the streets. In pictures: China celebrates 70th anniversary of Communist rule Activists are determined to overshadow Beijing's festivities, using the anniversary to step up their nearly four months of protests pushing for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability. Thousands marched through the streets of Hong Kong island on Tuesday afternoon, despite authorities rejecting an application to hold a rally there as police warned people "to leave the scene as soon as possible". Smaller crowds rallied in a number of other districts with clashes quickly breaking out. In Tsuen Wan, masked protesters used umbrellas and sticks to beat riot officers after they made a series of arrests. The officers retreated into a nearby town hall after they came under a barrage of projectiles. In Wong Tai Sin, police fired brief volleys of tear gas against protesters who had blocked nearby roads. The biggest march remained on Hong Kong island, a frequent battlefield between police and protesters where multiple malls and shops remained shuttered for the public holiday. "Three months on and our five demands have yet to be achieved. We need to continue our fight," a protester, wearing a mask from the cult film and comic book "V for Vendetta", said. Leader watches Beijing parade The protests came as lavish celebrations were taking place in Beijing, including a huge military parade through Tiananmen Square under the gaze of China's strongman President Xi Jinping. Among those watching the parade was Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, who has historically low approval ratings at home as public anger boils over Beijing's increased control of the semi-autonomous city. Millions have hit the streets in record-breaking numbers while hardcore activists have repeatedly clashed with police, in the biggest challenge to China's rule since the city's 1997 handover by Britain. In a vivid illustration of the political insecurity now coursing through Hong Kong, city officials watched a morning harbourside flag-raising ceremony from the safety of the nearby convention centre. Since the 1997 handover, officials had always attended the ceremony outside, even during torrential downpours. But popular protests that erupted in June have made it increasingly risky for officials to appear in public. A flag-raising ceremony on July 1 -- the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover -- was also watched from indoors as protesters flooded the streets and later laid siege to the city's legislature. Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung delivered an address in which he praised China's development over the last 70 years. But he said officials recognised they needed "new thinking to try to address deep-rooted problems" in Hong Kong. Throughout the morning police ramped up security checks and conducted frequent stop and searches while authorities announced the closure of a dozen subway stations. But the measures did little to halt crowds appearing in the afternoon. Rival pro-China rallies were also held. In the morning, a crowd of some 50 people waved flags and chanted "Long live the motherland!" "We are Chinese and the whole nation is celebrating," Kitty Chan, 30, told AFP. Hong Kong's protests were initially sparked by a now scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the mainland but have since snowballed into a much wider movement of popular anger against city leaders and Beijing. Among the demands made by protesters is an inquiry into the police, an amnesty for the more than 1,500 people arrested and universal suffrage -- all of which have been rejected by Beijing and Lam.

Hong Kong defies China anniversary with 'Day of Grief' rallies and clashes

Strife-torn <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/street-fires-burn-in-hong-kong-amid-running-battles-between-protesters-and-police-252690">Hong Kong</a> marked the 70th anniversary of communist China's founding with defiant "Day of Grief" protests on Tuesday as pro-democracy activists ignored a police ban and took to the streets in multiple neighbourhoods.

The international finance hub is on edge as protesters vow to overshadow Beijing's festivities, stepping up their nearly four months of protests pushing for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability.

Sunday witnessed some of the most sustained clashes in weeks between police and hardcore protesters.

Thousands began marching through the district of Causeway Bay on Tuesday afternoon, despite authorities rejecting an application to hold a rally there and police warning people against joining "unlawful assemblies".

Usually, a popular shopping district packed with tourists, Causeway Bay has become a regular battleground between protesters and police this summer.

Many of the malls and shops in the district were shuttered as protesters chanted "Stand with Hong Kong, fight for freedom!" and other popular slogans.

"Three months on and our five demands have yet to be achieved. We need to continue our fight," a protester, wearing a mask from the cult film and comic book "V for Vendetta", told AFP.

Smaller unsanctioned rallies also kicked off in the districts of Wanchai, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan and outside the British consulate.

'Deep-rooted problems' 
&nbsp; 
Democracy protesters are determined to take some of the shine off the anniversary celebrations in Beijing which were marked with a huge military parade through Tiananmen Square under the gaze of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-xi-says-country-will-stay-on-path-of-peaceful-development-252973">China</a>'s strongman President Xi Jinping.

Among those watching the parade was Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, who has historically low approval ratings at home as public anger boils over Beijing's increased control of the semi-autonomous city.

Millions have hit the streets in record-breaking numbers while hardcore activists have repeatedly clashed with police, in the biggest challenge to China's rule since the city's 1997 handover by Britain.

In a vivid illustration of the political insecurity now coursing through Hong Kong, city officials watched a morning harbourside flag-raising ceremony from the safety of the nearby convention centre.

Since the 1997 handover, officials had always attended the ceremony outside, even during torrential downpours.

But popular protests that erupted in June have made it increasingly risky for officials to appear in public.

A flag-raising ceremony on July 1 the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover was&nbsp;also watched from indoors as protesters flooded the streets and later laid siege to the city's legislature.

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung, delivered an address in which he praised China's development over the last 70 years.

But he said officials recognized they needed "new thinking to try to address deep-rooted problems" in Hong Kong.

Throughout the morning police ramped up security checks and conducted frequent stops and searches while authorities announced the closure of a dozen subway stations.

But the measures did little to halt crowds appearing in the afternoon.

Rival pro-China rallies were also held.

In the morning, a crowd of some 50 people waved flags and chanted "Long live the motherland!".

"We are Chinese and the whole nation is celebrating," Kitty Chan, 30, told AFP.

Hong Kong's protests were initially sparked by a now-scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the mainland but have since snowballed into a much wider movement of popular anger against city leaders and Beijing.&nbsp;

Among the demands made by protesters is an inquiry into the police, an amnesty for the more than 1,500 people arrested and universal suffrage, all of which have been rejected by Beijing and Lam. 
&nbsp;

Strife-torn Hong Kong marked the 70th anniversary of communist China's founding with defiant "Day of Grief" protests on Tuesday as pro-democracy activists ignored a police ban and took to the streets in multiple neighbourhoods.

Strife-torn Hong Kong marked the 70th anniversary of communist China's founding with defiant "Day of Grief" protests on Tuesday as pro-democracy activists ignored a police ban and took to the streets in multiple neighbourhoods. The international finance hub is on edge as protesters vow to overshadow Beijing's festivities, stepping up their nearly four months of protests pushing for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability. Sunday witnessed some of the most sustained clashes in weeks between police and hardcore protesters. Thousands began marching through the district of Causeway Bay on Tuesday afternoon, despite authorities rejecting an application to hold a rally there and police warning people against joining "unlawful assemblies". Usually, a popular shopping district packed with tourists, Causeway Bay has become a regular battleground between protesters and police this summer. Many of the malls and shops in the district were shuttered as protesters chanted "Stand with Hong Kong, fight for freedom!" and other popular slogans. "Three months on and our five demands have yet to be achieved. We need to continue our fight," a protester, wearing a mask from the cult film and comic book "V for Vendetta", told AFP. Smaller unsanctioned rallies also kicked off in the districts of Wanchai, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan and outside the British consulate. 'Deep-rooted problems' Democracy protesters are determined to take some of the shine off the anniversary celebrations in Beijing which were marked with a huge military parade through Tiananmen Square under the gaze of China's strongman President Xi Jinping. Among those watching the parade was Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, who has historically low approval ratings at home as public anger boils over Beijing's increased control of the semi-autonomous city. Millions have hit the streets in record-breaking numbers while hardcore activists have repeatedly clashed with police, in the biggest challenge to China's rule since the city's 1997 handover by Britain. In a vivid illustration of the political insecurity now coursing through Hong Kong, city officials watched a morning harbourside flag-raising ceremony from the safety of the nearby convention centre. Since the 1997 handover, officials had always attended the ceremony outside, even during torrential downpours. But popular protests that erupted in June have made it increasingly risky for officials to appear in public. A flag-raising ceremony on July 1 the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover was also watched from indoors as protesters flooded the streets and later laid siege to the city's legislature. Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung, delivered an address in which he praised China's development over the last 70 years. But he said officials recognized they needed "new thinking to try to address deep-rooted problems" in Hong Kong. Throughout the morning police ramped up security checks and conducted frequent stops and searches while authorities announced the closure of a dozen subway stations. But the measures did little to halt crowds appearing in the afternoon. Rival pro-China rallies were also held. In the morning, a crowd of some 50 people waved flags and chanted "Long live the motherland!". "We are Chinese and the whole nation is celebrating," Kitty Chan, 30, told AFP. Hong Kong's protests were initially sparked by a now-scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the mainland but have since snowballed into a much wider movement of popular anger against city leaders and Beijing. Among the demands made by protesters is an inquiry into the police, an amnesty for the more than 1,500 people arrested and universal suffrage, all of which have been rejected by Beijing and Lam.

Hong Kong defies China anniversary with 'Day of Grief' rallies

Hundreds of officials and the pro-establishment elite joined a formal flag-raising ceremony and Chinese National Day reception held behind closed doors in Hong Kong on Tuesday (October 1). Watch this video to know more.

Hong Kong under lockdown on China's 70th National Day

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