Since last week, Hong Kong's police have used more tear gas and rubber bullets than in the previous two months put together
TEN weeks on, Hong Kong’s anti-government demonstrations have changed in nature, but show few signs of ending soon. Over the weekend, flash-mob style protests across the territory stretched the capabilities of an exhausted police, while leading to a sharp increase in violence employed by both sides. Protesters threw projectiles at police. On at least one occasion, a petrol bomb was hurled at the entrance to a police station.
It was the plight of one young woman, apparently shot in the eye with a bean-bag round during a demonstration on August 11th, that swiftly changed the dynamics of a separate protest at the international airport, originally planned to take place over three days. Over the weekend, the gathering had been calm and good-natured. Protesters shouted out “welcome to Hong Kong!” to travellers emerging through customs and plied them with leaflets about the pro-democracy cause.
The closure of the world’s eighth-busiest airport by passenger numbers underscores the mounting economic cost to Asia’s pre-eminent international financial centre inflicted by the unrest. What started as opposition to a controversial bill that would have allowed suspects in Hong Kong to be extradited to China has morphed into a popular revolt against the local government—and, for many protesters, against Chinese rule itself.
The protests have widespread support from many ordinary Hong Kongers. But the increasing violence alarms a growing number of people. Meanwhile, those sympathetic to China’s Communist Party and its proxies in the territory are among those to have been against the demonstrations from the start. That number includes Hong Kong’s mafia-like triads, who have taken the party’s side and used staves to beat and threaten pro-democracy protesters.
Meanwhile, across the border in China, the official language grows more shrill. In Beijing this week the government warned that the demonstrations showed “early signs of terrorism”. It claims to divine nefarious “black hands” at work fostering the unrest—ie, the United States and its friends. A Chinese state television channel has published a video claiming, in no unsubtle terms, to show the People’s Armed Police taking part in a large exercise near the border with Hong Kong.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
Hong Kong airport suspends check-ins after protesters flood buildingThe disruption comes as Amnesty International accuses police in the former British colony of using excessive force to quell the weeks-long demonstrations.
Baca lebih lajut »
Hong Kong Airport Cancels Flights as Protesters Flood InHong Kong’s airport authority canceled more than 100 flights as demonstrators converged after a night of violence to protest authorities for their handling of this summer’s unrest.
Baca lebih lajut »
Hong Kong Airport Cancels All Flights As Protesters Overwhelm The TerminalHong Kong's protesters have been staging rallies across the city since early June in opposition to a controversial extradition bill that has plunged the financial hub into its most serious crisis since it was handed over from British to Chinese rule in 1997.
Baca lebih lajut »
Hong Kong Airport Cancels All Flights As Protesters Overwhelm The TerminalHong Kong's protesters have been staging rallies across the city since early June in opposition to a controversial extradition bill that has plunged the financial hub into its most serious crisis since it was handed over from British to Chinese rule in 1997.
Baca lebih lajut »
Hong Kong cancels all flights as Beijing says protesters show 'signs of terrorism'Hong Kong’s government canceled all flights departing from the international airport on Monday afternoon, sending police toward the airport as thousands of protesters occupied the terminals in a peaceful sit-in.
Baca lebih lajut »
Hong Kong airport cancels all departing flights as protesters occupy terminalsAll departing flights canceled at one of the world's busiest airports as protesters occupy terminals of Hong Kong International Airport for fourth consecutive day.
Baca lebih lajut »