HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong cops fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands who, in defiance of curbs imposed to include the coronavirus, collected on Sunday to object versus Beijing’s strategy to directly enforce national security laws on the city.
In a return of the discontent that roiled the monetary hub last year, crowds thronged the bustling shopping area of Causeway Bay, where chants of “Hong Kong self-reliance, the only escape,” and other mottos echoed through the streets.
To Communist Party leaders, requires independence for the Chinese-ruled city are anathema, and the proposed new nationwide security structure stresses Beijing’s intent “to avoid, stop and penalize” such acts.
As sunset fell, sporadic standoffs broke out between cops and demonstrators in the bar and night life district of Wan Chai near the heart of business district.
The demonstration, the first given that Beijing proposed the brand-new laws on Thursday, had mainly died down already – however the day’s occasions position a fresh difficulty to Beijing’s authority as it struggles to tame public opposition to its tightening grip over the city.
The security laws have actually also sent a chill through financial markets and drawn a rebuke from foreign governments, human rights groups and some organisation lobbies.
” I am worried that after the implementation of the nationwide security law, they will pursue those being charged befor