China will build the southern city of Shenzhen into a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics, a document said Sunday. Watch this video to know more.

Shenzhen to be the new Hong Kong?

US President Donald Trump warns Xi Jinping against violence in Hong Kong. Watch this video to know more.

US President Donald Trump warns Xi Jinping against violence in Hong Kong

More than 1,00,000 participated in today's protests. Protesters march from Victoria Park to Chater Garden. Over 47,000 people in Hong Kong say ''No'' to violence. Watch this video to know more.

Hong Kong Protests: Over 470,000 people say 'No' to violence

After US President Trump warned that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiananmen-square-style-crackdown-in-hong-kong-would-harm-trade-deal-with-china-donald-trump-243953">China's crackdown on pro-democracy</a> protesters may harm trade talks between the two countries, China's foreign affairs spokesman said Hong Kong doesn't need "suggestions".

"We have noted this. President Trump has previously said that Hong Kong is part of China and they must solve their problem by themselves. They don't need any suggestions," foreign affairs spokesman Geng Shuang said.

"We hope the US side can live up their word," Shuang added.

Hong Kong has been engulfed by protests for the past eleven weeks with citizens demanding China should drop the extradition bill&nbsp;altogether&nbsp;after it was taken off the table in the country's legislature, the pro-democracy protesters have also turned the heat on their leader Carrie Lam demanding her resignation with several protests triggering violent reactions.

Watch Video:

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On Sunday, in a silent protest which was largely "tear-gas free" nearly 1.7 million citizens turned up at the city's Victoria Park after three days of protests once again kept authorities on alert.

As the protests gathered momentum, President Trump waded into the debate, declaring: "I think it'd be very hard to deal if they do violence, I mean, if it's another Tiananmen Square," adding," I think it's a very hard thing to do if there's violence." Trump signalled that trade negotiations could be hampered if China dwelt with protesters with a heavy hand.

China had infamously deployed tanks during the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989 which led to escalation of violence leading the deaths of several hundred protesters as the Chinese Communist Party sought to quell the student-led protests.

"If such a situation was repeated in Hong Kong, I think there'd be... tremendous political sentiment not to do something," Trump said, referring to the trade negotiations with China. &nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

After US President Trump warned that China's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters may harm trade talks between the two countries, China's foreign affairs spokesman said Hong Kong doesn't need "suggestions".

After US President Trump warned that China's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters may harm trade talks between the two countries, China's foreign affairs spokesman said Hong Kong doesn't need "suggestions". "We have noted this. President Trump has previously said that Hong Kong is part of China and they must solve their problem by themselves. They don't need any suggestions," foreign affairs spokesman Geng Shuang said. "We hope the US side can live up their word," Shuang added. Hong Kong has been engulfed by protests for the past eleven weeks with citizens demanding China should drop the extradition bill altogether after it was taken off the table in the country's legislature, the pro-democracy protesters have also turned the heat on their leader Carrie Lam demanding her resignation with several protests triggering violent reactions. Watch Video: On Sunday, in a silent protest which was largely "tear-gas free" nearly 1.7 million citizens turned up at the city's Victoria Park after three days of protests once again kept authorities on alert. As the protests gathered momentum, President Trump waded into the debate, declaring: "I think it'd be very hard to deal if they do violence, I mean, if it's another Tiananmen Square," adding," I think it's a very hard thing to do if there's violence." Trump signalled that trade negotiations could be hampered if China dwelt with protesters with a heavy hand. China had infamously deployed tanks during the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989 which led to escalation of violence leading the deaths of several hundred protesters as the Chinese Communist Party sought to quell the student-led protests. "If such a situation was repeated in Hong Kong, I think there'd be... tremendous political sentiment not to do something," Trump said, referring to the trade negotiations with China.

Hong Kong doesn't need 'suggestions', says China after Trump's Tiananmen comment

Hong Kong braced for a major anti-government rally planned for Sunday after an unusually calm Saturday night in what has been a summer of violent protests in the Asian financial hub. Watch this video to know more.

Another protest week begin, Hong Kong braces for mass anti-government rally

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/over-40-dead-100-injured-as-blast-rips-through-wedding-party-in-afghanistans-kabul-243740">Over 40 dead, 100 injured as blast rips through wedding party in Afghanistan's Kabul</a>

At least 40 people are feared dead and over 100 injured following a deadly suicide-bomb blast in Darulaman area of Kabul city on Saturday night, a senior Afghan official said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-2-to-land-on-lunar-south-polar-region-on-september-7-isro-243733">Chandrayaan-2 to land on lunar south polar region on September 7: ISRO</a>

Chandrayaan-2, the second generation moon mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will land on the lunar south polar region on September 7, ISRO said on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-bhutan-agree-to-explore-new-areas-of-bilateral-cooperation-243739">PM Modi, Bhutan's Lotay Tshering to look at new areas, such as healthcare &amp; education: Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale</a>

Moving beyond the hydropower sector, India and Bhutan on Saturday agreed to explore new areas of bilateral cooperation including healthcare, education, science, and technology during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Himalayan nation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/defiant-hong-kong-protesters-vow-huge-rally-despite-beijing-threats-243746">Defiant Hong Kong protesters vow huge rally despite Beijing threats</a>

Hong Kong democracy activists are hoping to get out a huge crowd later Sunday in a bid to show the city's leaders that their protest movement remains defiant despite increasingly stark warnings from Beijing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-limps-back-to-normalcy-internet-telephone-services-restored-schools-to-reopen-tomorrow-243742">Jammu and Kashmir limps back to normalcy: Internet, telephone services restored, schools to reopen tomorrow</a>

Jammu and Kashmir is on the path to normalcy as the administration has eased communication restrictions and is making sure that all government offices and schools are functional by next week. 
&nbsp;

Over 40 dead, 100 injured as blast rips through wedding party in Afghanistan's Kabul At least 40 people are feared dead and over 100 injured following a deadly suicide-bomb blast in Darulaman area of Kabul city on Saturday night, a senior Afghan official said.

Over 40 dead, 100 injured as blast rips through wedding party in Afghanistan's Kabul At least 40 people are feared dead and over 100 injured following a deadly suicide-bomb blast in Darulaman area of Kabul city on Saturday night, a senior Afghan official said. Chandrayaan-2 to land on lunar south polar region on September 7: ISRO Chandrayaan-2, the second generation moon mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will land on the lunar south polar region on September 7, ISRO said on Sunday. PM Modi, Bhutan's Lotay Tshering to look at new areas, such as healthcare & education: Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale Moving beyond the hydropower sector, India and Bhutan on Saturday agreed to explore new areas of bilateral cooperation including healthcare, education, science, and technology during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Himalayan nation. Defiant Hong Kong protesters vow huge rally despite Beijing threats Hong Kong democracy activists are hoping to get out a huge crowd later Sunday in a bid to show the city's leaders that their protest movement remains defiant despite increasingly stark warnings from Beijing. Jammu and Kashmir limps back to normalcy: Internet, telephone services restored, schools to reopen tomorrow Jammu and Kashmir is on the path to normalcy as the administration has eased communication restrictions and is making sure that all government offices and schools are functional by next week.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Hong Kong democracy activists are hoping to get out a huge crowd later Sunday in a bid to show the city's leaders that their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-believes-urgent-steps-needed-to-de-escalate-hong-kong-crisis-foreign-policy-chief-243721">protest movement remains defiant</a> despite increasingly stark warnings from Beijing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rival-rallies-as-hong-kongs-divisions-deepen-243616">Ten weeks of demonstrations</a> have plunged the international finance hub into crisis and communist-ruled mainland China has taken an increasingly hardline tone, including labelling the more violent protester actions "terrorist-like".

Clashes have broken out between police and hardcore protesters but the movement has won few concessions from Beijing or the city's unelected leadership.

On Tuesday, protesters blocked passengers from boarding flights at the city's airport and later assaulted two men they accused of being Chinese spies.

The images damaged a campaign that until then had largely only targeted the police or government institutions, and prompted some soul-searching among protesters.

China's propaganda apparatus seized on the violence, with state media churning out a deluge of damning articles, pictures and videos.

State media also ran images of military personnel and armoured personnel carriers across the border in Shenzhen, prompting the United States to warn Beijing against sending in troops, which analysts say would be a reputational and economic disaster for China.

In the aftermath of Tuesday's airport chaos, some protester groups apologised and vowed to hold a huge rally on Sunday.

Billed as a "rational, non-violent" protest, it is being organised by the Civil Human Rights Front, a group that eschews confrontations with police and was the driving force behind record-breaking rallies in June and July that saw hundreds of thousands of people hit the streets.

March banned

During smaller protest marches on Saturday -- which ended without the kind of largescale clashes that have become so commonplace each weekend -- many protesters chanted "See you in Victoria Park!" as they left the streets.

Watch:&nbsp;Hundreds take part in teachers' rally braving downpour in Hong Kong

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The park has long been used as the staging point for the city's years of democracy protests and will host Sunday's demonstration.

Police have given permission for the rally to go ahead but banned a proposed march.&nbsp;

Previous bans in recent weeks have simply been ignored by protesters and have soon led to clashes with riot police.

The protests were sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, but have since morphed into a wider call for democratic rights in the semi-autonomous city.

Under a deal signed with Britain, authoritarian China agreed to allow Hong Kong to keep its unique freedoms when it was handed back in 1997.

But many Hong Kongers feel those freedoms are being eroded, especially since China's hardline president Xi Jinping came to power.

In the last two months, millions of people have hit the streets while clashes have broken out between police and small groups of hardcore protesters.

Battles between police firing tear gas and rubber bullets -- and hardcore protesters using rocks, Molotov cocktails and slingshots -- have since become routine in a city once renowned for its stability.

Beyond suspending the extradition bill, Beijing and city leader Carrie Lam have shown no desire to meet key demands such as an inquiry into police violence, the complete withdrawal of the bill and an amnesty.

But protesters remain unbowed, despite the arrests of more than 700 people and 11 consecutive weekends of rallies that have won few concessions.

Beijing has turned the screws on Hong Kong's businesses, pressuring them to toe the line and condemn the protesters.

On Friday, Cathay Pacific announced the shock resignation of CEO Rupert Hogg after the carrier was excoriated by Beijing because some staff supported the pro-democracy protests.

A day later the "Big Four" accountancy firms scrambled to distance themselves from an advert placed in a newspaper purportedly by employees saying they supported the protests.

Hong Kong democracy activists are hoping to get out a huge crowd later Sunday in a bid to show the city's leaders that their protest movement remains defiant despite increasingly stark warnings from Beijing.

Hong Kong democracy activists are hoping to get out a huge crowd later Sunday in a bid to show the city's leaders that their protest movement remains defiant despite increasingly stark warnings from Beijing. Ten weeks of demonstrations have plunged the international finance hub into crisis and communist-ruled mainland China has taken an increasingly hardline tone, including labelling the more violent protester actions "terrorist-like". Clashes have broken out between police and hardcore protesters but the movement has won few concessions from Beijing or the city's unelected leadership. On Tuesday, protesters blocked passengers from boarding flights at the city's airport and later assaulted two men they accused of being Chinese spies. The images damaged a campaign that until then had largely only targeted the police or government institutions, and prompted some soul-searching among protesters. China's propaganda apparatus seized on the violence, with state media churning out a deluge of damning articles, pictures and videos. State media also ran images of military personnel and armoured personnel carriers across the border in Shenzhen, prompting the United States to warn Beijing against sending in troops, which analysts say would be a reputational and economic disaster for China. In the aftermath of Tuesday's airport chaos, some protester groups apologised and vowed to hold a huge rally on Sunday. Billed as a "rational, non-violent" protest, it is being organised by the Civil Human Rights Front, a group that eschews confrontations with police and was the driving force behind record-breaking rallies in June and July that saw hundreds of thousands of people hit the streets. March banned During smaller protest marches on Saturday -- which ended without the kind of largescale clashes that have become so commonplace each weekend -- many protesters chanted "See you in Victoria Park!" as they left the streets. Watch: Hundreds take part in teachers' rally braving downpour in Hong Kong The park has long been used as the staging point for the city's years of democracy protests and will host Sunday's demonstration. Police have given permission for the rally to go ahead but banned a proposed march. Previous bans in recent weeks have simply been ignored by protesters and have soon led to clashes with riot police. The protests were sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, but have since morphed into a wider call for democratic rights in the semi-autonomous city. Under a deal signed with Britain, authoritarian China agreed to allow Hong Kong to keep its unique freedoms when it was handed back in 1997. But many Hong Kongers feel those freedoms are being eroded, especially since China's hardline president Xi Jinping came to power. In the last two months, millions of people have hit the streets while clashes have broken out between police and small groups of hardcore protesters. Battles between police firing tear gas and rubber bullets -- and hardcore protesters using rocks, Molotov cocktails and slingshots -- have since become routine in a city once renowned for its stability. Beyond suspending the extradition bill, Beijing and city leader Carrie Lam have shown no desire to meet key demands such as an inquiry into police violence, the complete withdrawal of the bill and an amnesty. But protesters remain unbowed, despite the arrests of more than 700 people and 11 consecutive weekends of rallies that have won few concessions. Beijing has turned the screws on Hong Kong's businesses, pressuring them to toe the line and condemn the protesters. On Friday, Cathay Pacific announced the shock resignation of CEO Rupert Hogg after the carrier was excoriated by Beijing because some staff supported the pro-democracy protests. A day later the "Big Four" accountancy firms scrambled to distance themselves from an advert placed in a newspaper purportedly by employees saying they supported the protests.

Defiant Hong Kong protesters vow huge rally despite Beijing threats

People in the city of Shenzhen, which borders <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-mounting-violence-and-warnings-from-china-hong-kong-protesters-flood-streets-in-peaceful-march-243848">Hong Kong</a>, said on Sunday (August 18) that they thought China's paramilitary presence in a stadium there would only be called as a last resort.

Armoured vehicles, trucks and large numbers of service personnel from China's paramilitary, known as the People's Armed Police, have been stationed at the Shenzhen stadium for a number of days. Some have been seen taking part in training drills both inside and beside the stadium.

These exercises have accentuated a concern that China is considering direct intervention in Hong Kong. In recent days, state media has said a number of times that China will not sit by and watch if the "violence" and "sprouts of terrorism" continue.

Reuters spoke to several people near to a shopping mall which lies close to the stadium.

"If Hong Kong finds that they no longer have the ability to control the situation then perhaps we (China) will send some troops from here to help," said Liu Xiaobo, a 25-year-old Chinese tourist from Shaanxi province.

Security at the stadium did not seem extremely tight. Next to the stadium people were playing amateur football games throughout the day. But when a Reuters journalist walked on the footbridge that leads to the stadium with a small camera, they were told to move on by a member of paramilitary personnel on patrol.

The unrest in Hong Kong, which began as a protest against an extradition bill has now morphed into the city's biggest crises since handover in 1997.

People in the city of Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, said on Sunday (August 18) that they thought China's paramilitary presence in a stadium there would only be called as a last resort.

People in the city of Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, said on Sunday (August 18) that they thought China's paramilitary presence in a stadium there would only be called as a last resort. Armoured vehicles, trucks and large numbers of service personnel from China's paramilitary, known as the People's Armed Police, have been stationed at the Shenzhen stadium for a number of days. Some have been seen taking part in training drills both inside and beside the stadium. These exercises have accentuated a concern that China is considering direct intervention in Hong Kong. In recent days, state media has said a number of times that China will not sit by and watch if the "violence" and "sprouts of terrorism" continue. Reuters spoke to several people near to a shopping mall which lies close to the stadium. "If Hong Kong finds that they no longer have the ability to control the situation then perhaps we (China) will send some troops from here to help," said Liu Xiaobo, a 25-year-old Chinese tourist from Shaanxi province. Security at the stadium did not seem extremely tight. Next to the stadium people were playing amateur football games throughout the day. But when a Reuters journalist walked on the footbridge that leads to the stadium with a small camera, they were told to move on by a member of paramilitary personnel on patrol. The unrest in Hong Kong, which began as a protest against an extradition bill has now morphed into the city's biggest crises since handover in 1997.

Chinese near Hong Kong border say paramilitary presence is 'just in case'

A sea of democracy activists once more <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bruised-but-unbowed-hong-kong-police-say-no-need-for-china-intervention-243288">flooded the streets of Hong Kong</a> in a defiant show Sunday to the city's leaders that their movement still pulls wide public support, despite mounting violence and increasingly stark warnings from Beijing.

Ten weeks of demonstrations have plunged the financial hub into crisis, with images of masked black-clad protesters engulfed by tear gas during street battles against riot police stunning a city once renowned for its stability.&nbsp;

Communist-ruled mainland China has taken an increasingly hardline tone towards the protesters, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-will-not-sit-by-if-hong-kong-crisis-worsens-says-chinese-envoy-to-uk-243157">decrying the "terrorist-like" actio</a>ns of a violent hardcore minority among the demonstrators.

Despite the near-nightly clashes with police, the movement has won few concessions from Beijing or the city's unelected leadership.

The spiralling violence, which last week saw protesters paralyse the city's airport, has tarnished a campaign that had taken pride in its peaceful intent and unpredictability -- which demonstrators have tagged with the slogan 'Be Water'.&nbsp;

Also read: Teachers joins protests in Hong Kong

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Organisers of Sunday's rally, which started at the city's Victoria Park, said it was an attempt to wrestle the narrative of the protest back to its peaceful origins.&nbsp;

It is a "rational, non-violent" demonstration, according to organisers the Civil Human Rights Front, the driving force behind record-breaking rallies in June and July that saw hundreds of thousands of people hit the streets.

Protesters flouted a police order not to march from the park, pouring across the heart of Hong Kong island despite torrential rain.

Calling it a "flowing rally", one protester said the leaderless movement was constantly adapting to outfox the police.

"We keep learning, the movement has evolved and become more fluid," the 25-year-old recent graduate, who gave his name only as Lo, told AFP.

Peace or violence?

China's propaganda apparatus has seized on the weeks of violence, with state media churning out a deluge of damning articles, pictures and videos.

State media also ran images of military personnel and armoured personnel carriers across the border in Shenzhen, prompting the United States to warn Beijing against sending in troops.

Analysts say any intervention by Chinese security forces would be a reputational and economic disaster for China.

But Hong Kong's police force are under intense pressure, stretched by flashmob protests and criticised for perceived heavy-handed policing including the use of tear gas, rubber bullets and beating demonstrators -- incidents that have pinballed across social media.

"I think the way police have dealt with this is absolutely out of order. You can make your own judgement based on the many videos out there," protester James Leung told AFP.

Opinions among the protesters have diverged over the billowing violence, which has seen hardcore protesters using rocks, Molotov cocktails and slingshots against the police.

Some say the violence has driven the pro-democracy movement into an uncomfortable direction.

"There are some expressing extreme views," rally-goer Ray Cheng, 30, told AFP.&nbsp;

"But we have tried many times with peaceful approaches... I really hope the government can listen to us."

Many among Sunday's rally-goers carried rucksacks stuffed with protest paraphernalia -- laser pens, gas masks, googles and helmets.

"The consensus in online forums is that today is 'a peaceful, rational' gathering," said a 30-year-old identifying himself only as Man.

"We have our gear with us, but we hope not to use it."

A Hong Kong government spokesperson praised the police for handling "illegal acts with tolerance" and appealed to the protesters to "express their views in a peaceful and rational manner".

Unprecedented crisis&nbsp;

Hong Kong's unprecedented political crisis was sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland.&nbsp;

But protests have since morphed into a wider call for democratic rights in the semi-autonomous city.

Under a deal signed with Britain, authoritarian China agreed to allow Hong Kong to keep its unique freedoms when it was handed back in 1997.

But many Hong Kongers feel those freedoms are being chipped away, especially since China's hardline president Xi Jinping came to power.

Beyond suspending the extradition bill, Beijing and city leader Carrie Lam have shown no desire to meet key demands such as an inquiry into police violence, the complete withdrawal of the bill and an amnesty.

Beijing has turned the screws on Hong Kong's businesses, pressuring them to toe the line and condemn the protesters.

On Friday, Cathay Pacific announced the shock resignation of CEO Rupert Hogg after the carrier was excoriated by Beijing because some staff supported the pro-democracy protests.

A sea of democracy activists once more flooded the streets of Hong Kong in a defiant show Sunday to the city's leaders that their movement still pulls wide public support, despite mounting violence and increasingly stark warnings from Beijing.

A sea of democracy activists once more flooded the streets of Hong Kong in a defiant show Sunday to the city's leaders that their movement still pulls wide public support, despite mounting violence and increasingly stark warnings from Beijing. Ten weeks of demonstrations have plunged the financial hub into crisis, with images of masked black-clad protesters engulfed by tear gas during street battles against riot police stunning a city once renowned for its stability. Communist-ruled mainland China has taken an increasingly hardline tone towards the protesters, decrying the "terrorist-like" actions of a violent hardcore minority among the demonstrators. Despite the near-nightly clashes with police, the movement has won few concessions from Beijing or the city's unelected leadership. The spiralling violence, which last week saw protesters paralyse the city's airport, has tarnished a campaign that had taken pride in its peaceful intent and unpredictability -- which demonstrators have tagged with the slogan 'Be Water'. Also read: Teachers joins protests in Hong Kong × Organisers of Sunday's rally, which started at the city's Victoria Park, said it was an attempt to wrestle the narrative of the protest back to its peaceful origins. It is a "rational, non-violent" demonstration, according to organisers the Civil Human Rights Front, the driving force behind record-breaking rallies in June and July that saw hundreds of thousands of people hit the streets. Protesters flouted a police order not to march from the park, pouring across the heart of Hong Kong island despite torrential rain. Calling it a "flowing rally", one protester said the leaderless movement was constantly adapting to outfox the police. "We keep learning, the movement has evolved and become more fluid," the 25-year-old recent graduate, who gave his name only as Lo, told AFP. Peace or violence? China's propaganda apparatus has seized on the weeks of violence, with state media churning out a deluge of damning articles, pictures and videos. State media also ran images of military personnel and armoured personnel carriers across the border in Shenzhen, prompting the United States to warn Beijing against sending in troops. Analysts say any intervention by Chinese security forces would be a reputational and economic disaster for China. But Hong Kong's police force are under intense pressure, stretched by flashmob protests and criticised for perceived heavy-handed policing including the use of tear gas, rubber bullets and beating demonstrators -- incidents that have pinballed across social media. "I think the way police have dealt with this is absolutely out of order. You can make your own judgement based on the many videos out there," protester James Leung told AFP. Opinions among the protesters have diverged over the billowing violence, which has seen hardcore protesters using rocks, Molotov cocktails and slingshots against the police. Some say the violence has driven the pro-democracy movement into an uncomfortable direction. "There are some expressing extreme views," rally-goer Ray Cheng, 30, told AFP. "But we have tried many times with peaceful approaches... I really hope the government can listen to us." Many among Sunday's rally-goers carried rucksacks stuffed with protest paraphernalia -- laser pens, gas masks, googles and helmets. "The consensus in online forums is that today is 'a peaceful, rational' gathering," said a 30-year-old identifying himself only as Man. "We have our gear with us, but we hope not to use it." A Hong Kong government spokesperson praised the police for handling "illegal acts with tolerance" and appealed to the protesters to "express their views in a peaceful and rational manner". Unprecedented crisis Hong Kong's unprecedented political crisis was sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland. But protests have since morphed into a wider call for democratic rights in the semi-autonomous city. Under a deal signed with Britain, authoritarian China agreed to allow Hong Kong to keep its unique freedoms when it was handed back in 1997. But many Hong Kongers feel those freedoms are being chipped away, especially since China's hardline president Xi Jinping came to power. Beyond suspending the extradition bill, Beijing and city leader Carrie Lam have shown no desire to meet key demands such as an inquiry into police violence, the complete withdrawal of the bill and an amnesty. Beijing has turned the screws on Hong Kong's businesses, pressuring them to toe the line and condemn the protesters. On Friday, Cathay Pacific announced the shock resignation of CEO Rupert Hogg after the carrier was excoriated by Beijing because some staff supported the pro-democracy protests.

Amid mounting violence and warnings from China, Hong Kong protesters flood streets in 'peaceful' march

A bad year for Xi Jinping clouds Communist China's 70th birthday celebrations

Tens of thousands of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/defiant-hong-kong-protesters-vow-huge-rally-despite-beijing-threats-243746">Hong Kong democracy activists</a> gathered Sunday for a major rally to show the city's leaders their protest movement still attracts wide public support despite mounting violence and increasingly stark warnings from Beijing.

Ten weeks of demonstrations have plunged the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-believes-urgent-steps-needed-to-de-escalate-hong-kong-crisis-foreign-policy-chief-243721">financial hub into crisis</a> with images of masked black-clad protesters engulfed by tear gas during street battles with riot police stunning a city once renowned for its stability.&nbsp;

Communist-ruled mainland China has taken an increasingly hardline tone towards the protesters, decrying the "terrorist-like" actions of a violent hardcore minority among the demonstrators.

Despite the near-nightly clashes with police, the movement has won few concessions from Beijing or the city's unelected leadership.

On Tuesday, protesters blocked passengers from boarding flights at the city's airport and later assaulted two men they accused of being Chinese spies.

The images damaged a campaign that until then had largely targeted the police or government institutions, and prompted an apology from some of the protest groups.

Watch:&nbsp;Another protest week begin, Hong Kong braces for mass anti-government rally

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Sunday's rally at the city's Victoria Park is an attempt to wrestle the narrative of the protest back.&nbsp;

It is a "rational, non-violent" demonstration, according to organisers the Civil Human Rights Front, the driving force behind record-breaking rallies in June and July that saw hundreds of thousands of people hit the streets.

Police have given permission for the rally to go ahead but banned a proposed march.&nbsp;

Previous bans on marches have been ignored by protesters, leading to clashes with riot police.

"We expect a huge number of participants... we hope to show to the world Hong Kong people can be totally peaceful," Bonnie Leung, a spokeswoman for the Civil Human Rights Front told reporters.

"If Beijing and Hong Kong's tactic is to wait for our movement to die, they are wrong... we will soldier on."&nbsp;

China's propaganda apparatus has seized on the weeks of violence, with state media churning out a deluge of damning articles, pictures and videos.

Blame game

State media also ran images of military personnel and armoured personnel carriers across the border in Shenzhen, prompting the United States to warn Beijing against sending in troops.

Analysts say any intervention by Chinese security forces would be a reputational and economic disaster for China.

During smaller protest marches on Saturday — which ended without large-scale clashes — many protesters chanted "See you in Victoria Park!" as they left the streets.

Tens of thousands of protesters massed in the park as the rally started on Sunday afternoon, while many others thronged the nearby streets in a show of defiance expected to stretch into the evening.

"I hope more people can take a step forward," protester Ray Cheung, 30, told AFP.&nbsp;

"We have tried many times with peaceful approaches... I really hope the government can listen to us."

The unprecedented political crisis was sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the mainland.&nbsp;

But protests have since morphed into a wider call for democratic rights in the semi-autonomous city.

Under a deal signed with Britain, authoritarian China agreed to allow Hong Kong to keep its unique freedoms when it was handed back in 1997.

But many Hong Kongers feel those freedoms are being chipped away, especially since China's hardline president Xi Jinping came to power.

In the last two months, millions of people have hit the streets.

Battles between police firing tear gas and rubber bullets — and hardcore protesters using rocks, Molotov cocktails and slingshots — have since become routine in the city.

Both sides trade the blame for provoking the violence.

Beyond suspending the extradition bill, Beijing and city leader Carrie Lam have shown no desire to meet key demands such as an inquiry into police violence, the complete withdrawal of the bill and an amnesty.

Beijing has turned the screws on Hong Kong's businesses, pressuring them to toe the line and condemn the protesters.

On Friday, Cathay Pacific announced the shock resignation of CEO Rupert Hogg after the carrier was excoriated by Beijing because some staff supported the pro-democracy protests.

A day later the "Big Four" accountancy firms scrambled to distance themselves from an advert placed in a newspaper purportedly by employees saying they supported the protests.

Tens of thousands of Hong Kong democracy activists gathered Sunday for a major rally to show the city's leaders their protest movement still attracts wide public support despite mounting violence and increasingly stark warnings from Beijing.

Tens of thousands of Hong Kong democracy activists gathered Sunday for a major rally to show the city's leaders their protest movement still attracts wide public support despite mounting violence and increasingly stark warnings from Beijing. Ten weeks of demonstrations have plunged the financial hub into crisis with images of masked black-clad protesters engulfed by tear gas during street battles with riot police stunning a city once renowned for its stability. Communist-ruled mainland China has taken an increasingly hardline tone towards the protesters, decrying the "terrorist-like" actions of a violent hardcore minority among the demonstrators. Despite the near-nightly clashes with police, the movement has won few concessions from Beijing or the city's unelected leadership. On Tuesday, protesters blocked passengers from boarding flights at the city's airport and later assaulted two men they accused of being Chinese spies. The images damaged a campaign that until then had largely targeted the police or government institutions, and prompted an apology from some of the protest groups. Watch: Another protest week begin, Hong Kong braces for mass anti-government rally Sunday's rally at the city's Victoria Park is an attempt to wrestle the narrative of the protest back. It is a "rational, non-violent" demonstration, according to organisers the Civil Human Rights Front, the driving force behind record-breaking rallies in June and July that saw hundreds of thousands of people hit the streets. Police have given permission for the rally to go ahead but banned a proposed march. Previous bans on marches have been ignored by protesters, leading to clashes with riot police. "We expect a huge number of participants... we hope to show to the world Hong Kong people can be totally peaceful," Bonnie Leung, a spokeswoman for the Civil Human Rights Front told reporters. "If Beijing and Hong Kong's tactic is to wait for our movement to die, they are wrong... we will soldier on." China's propaganda apparatus has seized on the weeks of violence, with state media churning out a deluge of damning articles, pictures and videos. Blame game State media also ran images of military personnel and armoured personnel carriers across the border in Shenzhen, prompting the United States to warn Beijing against sending in troops. Analysts say any intervention by Chinese security forces would be a reputational and economic disaster for China. During smaller protest marches on Saturday — which ended without large-scale clashes — many protesters chanted "See you in Victoria Park!" as they left the streets. Tens of thousands of protesters massed in the park as the rally started on Sunday afternoon, while many others thronged the nearby streets in a show of defiance expected to stretch into the evening. "I hope more people can take a step forward," protester Ray Cheung, 30, told AFP. "We have tried many times with peaceful approaches... I really hope the government can listen to us." The unprecedented political crisis was sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the mainland. But protests have since morphed into a wider call for democratic rights in the semi-autonomous city. Under a deal signed with Britain, authoritarian China agreed to allow Hong Kong to keep its unique freedoms when it was handed back in 1997. But many Hong Kongers feel those freedoms are being chipped away, especially since China's hardline president Xi Jinping came to power. In the last two months, millions of people have hit the streets. Battles between police firing tear gas and rubber bullets — and hardcore protesters using rocks, Molotov cocktails and slingshots — have since become routine in the city. Both sides trade the blame for provoking the violence. Beyond suspending the extradition bill, Beijing and city leader Carrie Lam have shown no desire to meet key demands such as an inquiry into police violence, the complete withdrawal of the bill and an amnesty. Beijing has turned the screws on Hong Kong's businesses, pressuring them to toe the line and condemn the protesters. On Friday, Cathay Pacific announced the shock resignation of CEO Rupert Hogg after the carrier was excoriated by Beijing because some staff supported the pro-democracy protests. A day later the "Big Four" accountancy firms scrambled to distance themselves from an advert placed in a newspaper purportedly by employees saying they supported the protests.

Hong Kong protesters rally to show 'peaceful' credentials after chaos

Over a thousand Hong Kong school teachers braved thunderstorms on Saturday to start a weekend of anti-government demonstrations that some activists fear could see tougher police tactics on the city's streets.

Over a thousand Hong Kong school teachers braved thunderstorms on Saturday to start a weekend of anti-government demonstrations that some activists fear could see tougher police tactics on the city's streets. Following the escalation in violence during the past few days, the demonstrations this weekend will provide a litmus test as to whether the protest movement can retain the broad support that it has appeared to enjoy. Demonstrators say they are fighting the erosion of the "one country, two systems" arrangement that enshrined some autonomy for Hong Kong since China took it back from Britain in 1997. During the past week, they have increasingly directed their frustrations toward police, who have responded with fiercer determination to clear them from the streets. Yu, aged in her 40s and a music teacher at a local secondary school, said she was determined to show support for protesting students, even though she didn't agree with all their actions. "I do appreciate their courage and caring about Hong Kong...they are braver than our government," she said. The teacher's rally was approved by the police and was peaceful. After gathering in the Central business district, they marched on the Government House residence of Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam, chanting "Hong Kong police know the law, they break the law". Anti-government demonstrators were also expected to march through Kowloon districts popular with traders and tourists from mainland China. The pro-democracy Civil Human Rights Front, which organised peaceful million-strong marches in June, has scheduled another protest for Sunday. "We all feel tensions are building and the level of stress is increasing," one front-line protester, Pun, 22, told Reuters during a sit-in at the international airport earlier in the week. "I know violence cannot fight violence but sometimes aggression is needed to attract the attention of the government and others," he said. "I have thrown rocks...I have also been hit by police with batons. We're all slowly getting used to this." Thousands of mostly young protesters forced a shutdown of flights at the city's Chek Lap Kok international airport on Monday, disrupting flights until late Tuesday. The Airport Authority obtained an interim court injunction on Wednesday to restrain people from "unlawfully and wilfully obstructing" its operations. Calls for restraint The increasingly violent confrontations have plunged one of Asia's financial capitals into its worst crisis for decades. The unrest also presents one of the biggest challenges for Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012. Western governments, including the United States, have stepped up calls for restraint following ugly and chaotic scenes at the airport. The crisis is also resulting in corporate casualties, with the chief executive of Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific Airways quitting on Friday after China's aviation regulator demanded it suspends staff involved in or supporting the protests. Chinese officials have likened some actions by protesters to "terrorism" and Chinese state media outlets have urged a tougher response from Hong Kong police. Clashes became noticeably fiercer during the past week. Protesters have used slingshots to fire marbles at police, shone lasers at them and at times thrown bricks and firebombs. Police stations have been surrounded and attacked 76 times during the crisis, police said. Having fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the streets, and at one point in a subway station, police are warning that they could get tougher. Police have so far refrained from deploying armoured cars that could smash through barricades. Nor have they used water cannon two were purchased in 2014 or unleashed the force's dog squad on protesters. "We have in place a more flexible strategy," one police officer said. "We are in a far better position to have a more efficient and rapid response." China's People's Armed Police units have staged extensive drills across the border in Shenzhen in recent days, but Hong Kong police say they have the operational depth and strength to handle local tensions. As protesters have employed a flash-mob strategy, withdrawing when police advance, only to re-appear elsewhere, police have also begun using undercover officers, disguised as protesters, to gather intelligence and make arrests. Police have made some 750 arrests since the unrest began in June, and have charged some protesters with rioting which can attract a 10-year jail term as punishment. In some cases, the arrests have been accompanied by extensive property searches and seizure of phones and computers, police sources say. "They are doing these hit and run lately," one senior police officer told media earlier this week. "Arrests should be a natural consequence. If we can arrest more and more because they are undertaking illegal acts, so be it."

Hong Kong tense as a weekend of protests begins with teachers' rally in the rain

The European Union believes it is necessary to take urgent steps to de-escalate the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-unrest-protesters-defy-police-again-begin-banned-march-238981">situation in Hong Kong</a>, the bloc's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said in a statement on Saturday.

"The European Union recalls its close relations with Hong Kong under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and its strong stake in its continued stability and prosperity. ... It is crucial that restraint is exercised, violence rejected, and urgent steps are taken to de-escalate the situation," the statement said.

The dialogue should involve all key participants in the process, it added.

"Fundamental freedoms, including the right of peaceful assembly, and Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, are enshrined in the Basic Law and in international agreements and must continue to be upheld," Mogherini concluded.

Thousands of teachers on Saturday flooded the streets of Hong Kong for an anti-government demonstration against the extradition law, a Sputnik correspondent reported from the scene.

Members of the Hong Kong Teachers Union gathered at the Chater Garden park in central Hong Kong. They marched to the office of the head of administration, Carrie Lam.

It rained heavily in Hong Kong but protesters said it would not prevent them from participating in the rally.

"We will go anyway. We do not care," one of the demonstrators told Sputnik ahead of the march.

Demands of the teachers union’s members are the same as those of other protesters. They include fully abandoning the extradition law, which would allow Hong Kong authorities to extradite suspects to various jurisdictions, including mainland China, without any bilateral agreements, which are currently required for it.

In the meantime, hundreds of anti-government protesters gathered in Mong Kok, one of the major shopping areas in the city. Police officers in full gear attempted to push them away. However, no clashes were seen in the area, the Sputnik correspondent reported.

The demonstrators later started hurling eggs at a nearby police station. They then lined up along the road and began chanting slogans. Dozens of police officers ultimately pushed them away, preventing the crowd from blocking the traffic.

China’s semi-autonomous region has been rocked by protests since early June. At first, the rallies were peaceful but they subsequently led to violent clashes between the demonstrators and the police. 
&nbsp;

The European Union believes it is necessary to take urgent steps to de-escalate the situation in Hong Kong, the bloc's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said in a statement on Saturday.

The European Union believes it is necessary to take urgent steps to de-escalate the situation in Hong Kong, the bloc's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said in a statement on Saturday. "The European Union recalls its close relations with Hong Kong under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and its strong stake in its continued stability and prosperity. ... It is crucial that restraint is exercised, violence rejected, and urgent steps are taken to de-escalate the situation," the statement said. The dialogue should involve all key participants in the process, it added. "Fundamental freedoms, including the right of peaceful assembly, and Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, are enshrined in the Basic Law and in international agreements and must continue to be upheld," Mogherini concluded. Thousands of teachers on Saturday flooded the streets of Hong Kong for an anti-government demonstration against the extradition law, a Sputnik correspondent reported from the scene. Members of the Hong Kong Teachers Union gathered at the Chater Garden park in central Hong Kong. They marched to the office of the head of administration, Carrie Lam. It rained heavily in Hong Kong but protesters said it would not prevent them from participating in the rally. "We will go anyway. We do not care," one of the demonstrators told Sputnik ahead of the march. Demands of the teachers union’s members are the same as those of other protesters. They include fully abandoning the extradition law, which would allow Hong Kong authorities to extradite suspects to various jurisdictions, including mainland China, without any bilateral agreements, which are currently required for it. In the meantime, hundreds of anti-government protesters gathered in Mong Kok, one of the major shopping areas in the city. Police officers in full gear attempted to push them away. However, no clashes were seen in the area, the Sputnik correspondent reported. The demonstrators later started hurling eggs at a nearby police station. They then lined up along the road and began chanting slogans. Dozens of police officers ultimately pushed them away, preventing the crowd from blocking the traffic. China’s semi-autonomous region has been rocked by protests since early June. At first, the rallies were peaceful but they subsequently led to violent clashes between the demonstrators and the police.

European Union believes urgent steps needed to de-escalate Hong Kong crisis: Foreign policy chief

Hundreds of Hong Kong teachers and supporters on Saturday braved heavy downpour as they took to the streets to begin yet another weekend of anti-government protests in the former British colony. Watch this video to know more.

Hong Kong: Hundreds take part in teachers' rally braving downpour

After gathering peacefully in the Central business district, they marched on the Government House residence of Hong Kong’s embattled leader Carrie Lam.

Teachers joins protests in Hong Kong

Hong Kong remains tense as weekend protests begin. Watch this video to know more.

Hong Kong: Another weekend of protests begin

Teachers joins protests in Hong Kong, more than 22,000 joins rally

China hits out at media, Western forces on provoking Hong Kong protests. Watch video to know more.

China hits out at media, Western forces on provoking Hong Kong protests

Daredevil Alain Robert -- dubbed the 'French Spiderman' -- climbed a Hong Kong skyscraper on Friday and unfurled a "peace banner" as the financial hub is rocked by historic political unrest.

Daredevil Alain Robert -- dubbed the 'French Spiderman' -- climbed a Hong Kong skyscraper on Friday and unfurled a "peace banner" as the financial hub is rocked by historic political unrest. The 57-year-old adventurer, who specialises in unsanctioned ascents of tall buildings, shimmied up the 68-storey Cheung Kong Center in Hong Kong's main business district in hot and humid conditions on Friday morning. During the climb, he attached a banner featuring the Hong Kong and Chinese flags, as well as two hands shaking. Prior to the ascent, Robert put out a statement saying the message of his climb was to make "an urgent appeal for peace and consultation between Hong Kong people and their government". "Perhaps what I do can lower the temperature and maybe raise a smile. That's my hope anyway," Robert said in his media statement. Hong Kong has been battered by 10 weeks of huge -- sometimes violent -- democracy protests. They were sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, but have since morphed into a wider call for democratic rights. The movement represents the greatest challenge to Beijing's authority since the city was handed back by the British in 1997 under a deal that allowed it to keep freedoms that many Hong Kongers feel are now being eroded. So far neither Beijing nor the city's loyalist leaders, have made any major concessions to the movement. Robert has regularly come to Hong Kong to scale buildings in a city that boasts the highest concentration of skyscrapers in the world. He has climbed the Cheung Kong Center twice before. Last August he was banned by a Hong Kong court from making any more climbs after he was charged over a 2011 illegal ascent of the 27-floor Hang Seng Bank building. At the time he vowed to return to Hong Kong as soon as the ban expired. In January he was arrested after climbing a 47-storey tower in Manila.

'French Spiderman' scales Hong Kong skyscraper with 'peace banner'

Chinese ambassador to UK slams media, Western forces on provoking Hong Kong protests. Watch the video to know more.

WION Dispatch: Chinese ambassador to UK slams media, Western forces on Hong Kong

Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement faces a major test this weekend as it tries to muster another huge crowd following criticism over a recent violent airport protest and as concerns mount over Beijing's next move.

Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement faces a major test this weekend as it tries to muster another huge crowd following criticism over a recent violent airport protest and as concerns mount over Beijing's next move. Ten weeks of protests have plunged the international finance hub into crisis with the communist mainland taking an increasingly hardline tone, including labelling the more violent protester actions "terrorist-like". Chinese state media have put out images of military personnel and armoured personnel carriers across the border in Shenzhen, while the United States has warned Beijing against sending in troops, a move many analysts say would be a reputational and economic disaster for China. The nationalistic Global Times newspaper said there would not be a repeat of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, in which hundreds or even thousands are believed to have been killed if Beijing moves to quash the protests. "The incident in Hong Kong won't be a repeat of the June 4th political incident in 1989," it said, insisting the country now had more sophisticated approaches. It was a rare reference to the bloody events, which are taboo in China. Hong Kong's protests were sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, but have since morphed into a wider call for democratic rights in the semi-autonomous city. Millions of people have hit the streets while clashes have broken out between police and small groups of hardcore protesters for 10 consecutive weekends. For most of that time, US President Donald Trump has taken a hands-off approach to the unrest but began speaking up this week, suggesting any potential trade deal with Beijing could be upended by a violent response from the mainland. Speaking on Thursday, Trump urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to meet protesters and solve the crisis "humanely". Huge Sunday rally planned Activists are now planning to hold a major rally on Sunday, which is being billed as a "rational, non-violent" protest designed to show the movement still maintains broad public support after suffering a setback earlier in the week. On Tuesday, protesters blocked passengers from boarding flights at the city's airport and later assaulted two men they accused of being Chinese spies. The shocking images damaged a movement that until then had largely only targeted the police or government institutions, and prompted some soul-searching among protesters. China's propaganda apparatus seized on the violence, with state-media churning out a deluge of condemnatory articles, pictures, and videos. Sunday's rally is being put together by the Civil Human Rights Front, a protest group that advocates non-violence and has previously been the driving force behind record-breaking rallies in June and July that saw hundreds of thousands of people hit the streets. "This coming Sunday should be another million-strong march. Hong Kong people can't be defeated, Hong Kongers soldier on," prominent pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo wrote on Facebook. But the likelihood of renewed clashes over the weekend remains high. On Saturday, activists have vowed to gather in Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan two harbourside districts popular with mainland Chinese tourists despite police banning their proposed marches. And while police have permitted protesters on Sunday to rally in a major park on Hong Kong island, they have forbidden demonstrators from marching through the city. Previous bans in the last few weeks have simply been ignored by demonstrators, leading to running battles with riot police. Authorities say they have been compelled to ban recent rallies because of increasing violence used by hardcore protesters, who have often targeted police stations alone their marching routes with bricks, slingshots and Molotov cocktails. Toe the line Hong Kong maintains freedoms unknown on the authoritarian mainland under a 50-year deal that came into effect when the former colony was handed back to China by Britain in 1997. Many Hong Kongers say those liberties are being eroded and have hit the streets in huge numbers in recent years. Yet their demands to elect their leaders and halt sliding freedoms have fallen on deaf ears. The current protests are the biggest threat to Beijing's authority since the handover and as violence has escalated, party leaders have only hardened their tone. Beijing has also ordered Hong Kong's companies and influential tycoons to toe the line. On Friday Cathay Pacific announced the shock resignation of its CEO Rupert Hogg after the Hong Kong carrier was excoriated by Beijing because some staff supported the pro-democracy protests. Many tycoons have published statements calling for an end to the protests, the latest coming from the city's wealthiest man Li Ka-Shing who took out adverts in seven Hong Kong newspapers.

Hong Kong protesters face crucial weekend test after airport setback

China hits out at media, Western forces on provoking Hong Kong protests. Watch the video to know more.

Hong Kong Protests: China hits out at media, Western forces

Cathay Pacific announced the shock resignation on Friday of its CEO Rupert Hogg, days after the Hong Kong carrier was censured by Beijing because some <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kongs-cathay-pacific-sacks-two-pilots-amid-protests-242991">staff had supported pro-democracy protests</a> in the city.

In a statement posted on the Hong Kong stock exchange on Friday, Cathay said Hogg had resigned "to take responsibility as a leader of the Company in view of recent events".

He has been replaced by Augustus Tang, a veteran of the Swire Group conglomerate, Cathay's main shareholder.

Another senior Cathay executive, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Paul Loo, also announced his departure and gave the same reason in the statement.

Cathay has had a torrid week after it became ensnared in a hardening of rhetoric from Beijing over ten weeks of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cathay-pacific-warns-it-could-fire-staff-for-supporting-illegal-protests-242349">anti-government protests</a> that have rocked Hong Kong.

Over the last two weeks the airline emerged as a target on the mainland after some of its 27,000-strong workforce took part in, or voiced support for, the protests.

Chinese state media wrote a series of condemnations of Cathay, accusing it of not doing enough to rein it its workers.

Then China's aviation regulator demanded that the airline prevent such staff from working on flights to the mainland or those routed through Chinese airspace.

Cathay swiftly moved into damage limitation mode, firing four members of staff associated with the protests -- including two pilots -- agreeing to comply with the new regulations and releasing a series of statements supporting Hong Kong's embattled government.

But is appears none of these moves were enough to save Hogg, who has been credited with helping to turn the airline profitable after two years of losses.

"The Board of Directors believes that it is the right time for new leadership to take Cathay Pacific forward," Cathay said in a statement.&nbsp;

In the same statement Hogg was quoted as saying: "These have been challenging weeks for the airline and it is right that Paul and I take responsibility as leaders of the company."

Cathay Pacific announced the shock resignation on Friday of its CEO Rupert Hogg, days after the Hong Kong carrier was censured by Beijing because some staff had supported pro-democracy protests in the city.

Cathay Pacific announced the shock resignation on Friday of its CEO Rupert Hogg, days after the Hong Kong carrier was censured by Beijing because some staff had supported pro-democracy protests in the city. In a statement posted on the Hong Kong stock exchange on Friday, Cathay said Hogg had resigned "to take responsibility as a leader of the Company in view of recent events". He has been replaced by Augustus Tang, a veteran of the Swire Group conglomerate, Cathay's main shareholder. Another senior Cathay executive, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Paul Loo, also announced his departure and gave the same reason in the statement. Cathay has had a torrid week after it became ensnared in a hardening of rhetoric from Beijing over ten weeks of anti-government protests that have rocked Hong Kong. Over the last two weeks the airline emerged as a target on the mainland after some of its 27,000-strong workforce took part in, or voiced support for, the protests. Chinese state media wrote a series of condemnations of Cathay, accusing it of not doing enough to rein it its workers. Then China's aviation regulator demanded that the airline prevent such staff from working on flights to the mainland or those routed through Chinese airspace. Cathay swiftly moved into damage limitation mode, firing four members of staff associated with the protests -- including two pilots -- agreeing to comply with the new regulations and releasing a series of statements supporting Hong Kong's embattled government. But is appears none of these moves were enough to save Hogg, who has been credited with helping to turn the airline profitable after two years of losses. "The Board of Directors believes that it is the right time for new leadership to take Cathay Pacific forward," Cathay said in a statement. In the same statement Hogg was quoted as saying: "These have been challenging weeks for the airline and it is right that Paul and I take responsibility as leaders of the company."

Amid Hong Kong protests row, Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg resigns

The situation in Hong Kong seemed tense as police dressed in riot gear reached the airport. Watch this video to know more.

Hong Kong protests: Situation tense as police reach airport

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