hong kong protest
‘Expel China!’: UK protesters rally against China after assault of Hongkonger in Manchester consulate
- Hundreds in the U.K. gathered in separate local protests on Sunday to denounce China and demand freedom for Hong Kong.
- The protests came a week after a Hong Kong national was assaulted at the Chinese consulate in Manchester, England, during a pro-democracy demonstration.
- Sunday’s protesters in Manchester reportedly carried signs with phrases such as “Expel China,” “Free Hong Kong” and even “Hang Xi Jinping.”
- Meanwhile, demonstrators in London braved a rainstorm to get to the city's Chinese embassy.
- Investigation into the Manchester consulate incident continues.
A week after a Hong Kong national was assaulted at the Chinese consulate in Manchester, England, hundreds in the U.K. gathered in separate local protests to denounce China and demand freedom for Hong Kong.
The Manchester protest, called “Say No to China,” took place at St. Peter’s Square at around 4 p.m. on Sunday, the Manchester Evening News reported. The event began with the playing of “God Save the King” outside Central Library, followed by “Glory to Hong Kong.”
‘I fear I may be silenced’: Hongkonger assaulted in Chinese consulate in Manchester denies Beijing’s version of events
- Bob Chan, the pro-Hong Kong independence protester who was assaulted in the Chinese Consulate in Manchester, has rejected Beijing’s version of how the incident unfolded.
- “Let me say it again so I am clear: I was dragged into the consulate. I did not attempt to enter the consulate,” he said at a news conference in the British Parliament on Wednesday.
- Consul-General Zheng Xiyuan, who heads the Manchester consulate, said the protester grabbed a staff member and refused to let go, which resulted in the protester “plunging” into the property himself.
- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin also stated that the protester “illegally entered” the consulate and “jeopardized the security of the Chinese diplomatic premises.”
- The incident remains under investigation by the Greater Manchester Police.
The pro-Hong Kong independence protester who was filmed being beaten inside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester has rejected Beijing’s version of how the incident unfolded, saying the attack was “unprovoked.”
The Hong Kong national, identified as Bob Chan, insists that he was dragged into the consulate’s grounds during the peaceful protest his group had organized on Sunday, contradicting China’s assertion that he “stormed” his way into the territory.
UK Offers Hongkongers Citizenship to Escape China’s New National Security Law
The United Kingdom is opening its doors to Hong Kong citizens in the wake of the new national security law that China imposed on the city.
China’s New National Security Law Could Kill Hong Kong’s Political Freedom
Beijing introduced a draft law last week that would address security sections in Hong Kong, as reported by CNBC.
Why now: The territory of Hong Kong has a constitution known as the Basic Law that mandates it drafts a national security law to comply with Article 23.
China Deploys Army in Hong Kong to Clean Up Streets
China has deployed soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to help clear the barricades set up by protesters on Saturday.
PLA soldiers are working at lightning speed to clear away bricks from the streets of Kowloon Tong. #HongKonghttps://t.co/qv37D9UeQQ pic.twitter.com/Ib8Kh8ROzq
Hong Kong Officially Withdraws China Extradition Bill That Sparked Protests
Hong Kong’s legislators have officially withdrawn the extradition bill that sparked the months-long protests.
The announcement came a week after a Legislative Council session turned chaotic during Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s policy address, Hong Kong Free Press reported.
Chinese State Media Promotes American ‘Journalist’ Who Asks Protesters How Democracy Elected Hitler
An American journalist was promoted by Chinese state media People’s Daily for his “coverage” of the Hong Kong protests, asking protesters about democracy and how Adolf Hitler was put into power by the same form of government.
Jaron Lines, a self-described “documentarian, independent investigative journalist, and diehard researcher” from the U.S., asked a protester in Hong Kong about their demands for democracy, Shanghaiist reported.
Hong Kong Human Rights Leader Beaten With Hammers by Masked Group
Jimmy Sham, leader of a pro-democracy group in Hong Kong and Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF) convenor, was left lying in his own blood after being beaten by a masked group armed with hammers.
The attack occurred on Wednesday at around 7:30 p.m. on Arran Lane in Tai Kok Tsui as he was heading to a CHRF meeting in Mong Kok, according to Hong Kong Free Press.
U.S. House Passes First Bills Supporting Hong Kong Protesters
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a series of bills in support of Hong Kong protesters. The bills require Washington to determine whether political developments in Hong Kong would justify its treatment of the city as a separate trading entity from mainland China and opens doors to sanctions for those who violate internationally recognized human rights, among other actions supporting protesters.
Known as the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, it is expected to pass the Senate, where it currently rests on a bipartisan co-sponsorship of 25 senators.
Apple Forced to Pull Hong Kong Police Tracking App From Store
Apple has recently removed a tracking app from the App Store that monitors police movement in Hong Kong after receiving criticism from China’s state media.
The Chinese media accused Apple of aiding “rioters” by releasing a crowdsourced tracking app called HKmap.live, which reportedly pinpoints the location of police and anti-government protesters.
Why Hong Kong’s Protesters Aren’t Celebrating the End of the Extradition Bill
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam has announced that she will formally withdraw the controversial extradition bill that sparked massive protests and political unrest in Hong Kong.
However, the news has been met with more skepticism than hope, according to South China Morning Post.
Hong Kong Airport Shut Down for 2nd Day as Police Ordered to Clear Protesters Out
Travelers hoping to leave Hong Kong remained stuck in the city as departure flights were canceled for a second consecutive day amid escalating protests against the government.
From early Tuesday, demonstrators occupied the terminal building of Hong Kong International Airport, blocking passengers attempting to advance from the departure level to immigration checkpoints.
