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| Hong Kong: Carrie Lam condemns 'extremely violent' storming of parliament | Hong Kong: Carrie Lam condemns 'extremely violent' storming of parliament |
| (4 days later) | |
| Hong Kong faced a tense calm on Tuesday as clean-up operations were underway to repair damage done by protesters to the city’s legislative council building on Monday night. | Hong Kong faced a tense calm on Tuesday as clean-up operations were underway to repair damage done by protesters to the city’s legislative council building on Monday night. |
| Debris including umbrellas, hard hats and water bottles were the few signs left of the confrontations that engulfed parts of the Chinese-ruled city overnight after protesters stormed and ransacked the legislature. | Debris including umbrellas, hard hats and water bottles were the few signs left of the confrontations that engulfed parts of the Chinese-ruled city overnight after protesters stormed and ransacked the legislature. |
| On Monday night a small splinter group of demonstrators, angry over a controversial extradition bill supported by Hong Kong leader, Carrie Lam, stormed the building and raised the territory’s former colonial flag on the 22nd anniversary of its hand back to China. The group defaced pictures of former Hong Kong leaders and sprayed graffiti over the walls. | On Monday night a small splinter group of demonstrators, angry over a controversial extradition bill supported by Hong Kong leader, Carrie Lam, stormed the building and raised the territory’s former colonial flag on the 22nd anniversary of its hand back to China. The group defaced pictures of former Hong Kong leaders and sprayed graffiti over the walls. |
| Hong Kong police fire teargas and charge at protesters | Hong Kong police fire teargas and charge at protesters |
| At a 4am press conference, Lam condemned the “extremely violent” storming of the legislature, which she described as “heartbreaking and shocking”. | At a 4am press conference, Lam condemned the “extremely violent” storming of the legislature, which she described as “heartbreaking and shocking”. |
| As dawn broke after a night of unprecedented drama, some Hong Kong residents questionedwhy the police had not put an end to the attempts to break through the building’s glass walls earlier in the day, and allowed extensive damage to the interior of the building. | As dawn broke after a night of unprecedented drama, some Hong Kong residents questionedwhy the police had not put an end to the attempts to break through the building’s glass walls earlier in the day, and allowed extensive damage to the interior of the building. |
| “The strangest thing was, police were there all along in the morning, confronting the protestors and standing guard inside Legco. Suddenly they all disappeared late afternoon, leaving an empty Legco wide open for the protestors to enter. Empty fort strategy much?” outspoken democracy activist Denise Ho said on Twitter.She added in a later tweet: “The reason why the protesters have resorted to storming into the Legco, is because of this authoritarian government WHO DOES NOT LISTEN.” | “The strangest thing was, police were there all along in the morning, confronting the protestors and standing guard inside Legco. Suddenly they all disappeared late afternoon, leaving an empty Legco wide open for the protestors to enter. Empty fort strategy much?” outspoken democracy activist Denise Ho said on Twitter.She added in a later tweet: “The reason why the protesters have resorted to storming into the Legco, is because of this authoritarian government WHO DOES NOT LISTEN.” |
| Lam said it was “not true to say that the government has not responded,” and doubled down on her stance that suspending the controversial extradition bill that prompted weeks of protest in the city was a “very positive response to the demands that we have heard.” | Lam said it was “not true to say that the government has not responded,” and doubled down on her stance that suspending the controversial extradition bill that prompted weeks of protest in the city was a “very positive response to the demands that we have heard.” |
| The protests were triggered by a controversial bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where the Communist party controls the courts, but have since evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement. | The protests were triggered by a controversial bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where the Communist party controls the courts, but have since evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement. |
| Public anger – fuelled by the aggressive tactics used by the police against demonstrators – has collided with years of frustration over worsening inequality and the cost of living in one of the world's most expensive, densely populated cities. | Public anger – fuelled by the aggressive tactics used by the police against demonstrators – has collided with years of frustration over worsening inequality and the cost of living in one of the world's most expensive, densely populated cities. |
| The protest movement was given fresh impetus on 21 July when gangs of men attacked protesters and commuters at a mass transit station – while authorities seemingly did little to intervene. | The protest movement was given fresh impetus on 21 July when gangs of men attacked protesters and commuters at a mass transit station – while authorities seemingly did little to intervene. |
| Underlying the movement is a push for full democracy in the city, whose leader is chosen by a committee dominated by a pro-Beijing establishment rather than by direct elections. | Underlying the movement is a push for full democracy in the city, whose leader is chosen by a committee dominated by a pro-Beijing establishment rather than by direct elections. |
| Protesters have vowed to keep their movement going until their core demands are met, such as the resignation of the city's leader, Carrie Lam, an independent inquiry into police tactics, an amnesty for those arrested and a permanent withdrawal of the bill. | Protesters have vowed to keep their movement going until their core demands are met, such as the resignation of the city's leader, Carrie Lam, an independent inquiry into police tactics, an amnesty for those arrested and a permanent withdrawal of the bill. |
| Hongkongers have seen Beijing’s influence grow in recent years, as activists have been jailed and pro-democracy lawmakers disqualified from running or holding office. Independent booksellers have disappeared from the city, before reappearing in mainland China facing charges. | Hongkongers have seen Beijing’s influence grow in recent years, as activists have been jailed and pro-democracy lawmakers disqualified from running or holding office. Independent booksellers have disappeared from the city, before reappearing in mainland China facing charges. |
| Under the terms of the agreement by which the former British colony was returned to Chinese control in 1997, the semi-autonomous region was meant to maintain a “high degree of autonomy” through an independent judiciary, a free press and an open market economy, a framework known as “one country, two systems”. | Under the terms of the agreement by which the former British colony was returned to Chinese control in 1997, the semi-autonomous region was meant to maintain a “high degree of autonomy” through an independent judiciary, a free press and an open market economy, a framework known as “one country, two systems”. |
| The extradition bill was seen as an attempt to undermine this and to give Beijing the ability to try pro-democracy activists under the judicial system of the mainland. | The extradition bill was seen as an attempt to undermine this and to give Beijing the ability to try pro-democracy activists under the judicial system of the mainland. |
| Lam has shown no sign of backing down beyond agreeing to suspend the extradition bill, while Beijing has issued increasingly shrill condemnations but has left it to the city's semi-autonomous government to deal with the situation. Meanwhile police have violently clashed directly with protesters, repeatedly firing teargas and rubber bullets. | Lam has shown no sign of backing down beyond agreeing to suspend the extradition bill, while Beijing has issued increasingly shrill condemnations but has left it to the city's semi-autonomous government to deal with the situation. Meanwhile police have violently clashed directly with protesters, repeatedly firing teargas and rubber bullets. |
| Beijing has ramped up its accusations that foreign countries are “fanning the fire” of unrest in the city. China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi has ordered the US to “immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs in any form”. | Beijing has ramped up its accusations that foreign countries are “fanning the fire” of unrest in the city. China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi has ordered the US to “immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs in any form”. |
| Lily Kuo and Verna Yu in Hong Kong | Lily Kuo and Verna Yu in Hong Kong |
| On Tuesday, Chinese media called for “zero tolerance” after the protests. “Out of blind arrogance and rage, protestors showed a complete disregard for law and order,” the Global Times, published by the ruling Communist Party’s People’s Daily, said in an editorial. | On Tuesday, Chinese media called for “zero tolerance” after the protests. “Out of blind arrogance and rage, protestors showed a complete disregard for law and order,” the Global Times, published by the ruling Communist Party’s People’s Daily, said in an editorial. |
| The city’s police chief meanwhile defended the force’s decision to withdraw from the building temporarily, saying they had found protesters tampering with electricity boxes and were concerned that in the darkness there would be more potential for a “wrong move on either side.” | The city’s police chief meanwhile defended the force’s decision to withdraw from the building temporarily, saying they had found protesters tampering with electricity boxes and were concerned that in the darkness there would be more potential for a “wrong move on either side.” |
| The government headquarters complex which houses the legislature remained closed on Tuesday. | The government headquarters complex which houses the legislature remained closed on Tuesday. |
| On social media, protesters attempted to undo the damage to their reputation as peaceful “model protesters,” posting images of undamaged books, artefacts, and even money left for fizzy drinks they had taken out of a fridge. | On social media, protesters attempted to undo the damage to their reputation as peaceful “model protesters,” posting images of undamaged books, artefacts, and even money left for fizzy drinks they had taken out of a fridge. |
| One image circulated of a note in Chinese on a fridge, with the translation: “A note from the protesters. We are not burglars. We won’t take without asking.” | One image circulated of a note in Chinese on a fridge, with the translation: “A note from the protesters. We are not burglars. We won’t take without asking.” |
| Fearing retribution, most protesters wore masks and repeatedly asked journalists not to take photographs. A rioting charge in Hong Kong carries up to a 10 year jail sentence. | Fearing retribution, most protesters wore masks and repeatedly asked journalists not to take photographs. A rioting charge in Hong Kong carries up to a 10 year jail sentence. |
| At around midnight, police dispersed the crowds, firing teargas at demonstrators. The dramatic scenes came after a peaceful march of half a million people made its way through other parts of the city as its deepest political crisis in two decades showed no sign of abating. | At around midnight, police dispersed the crowds, firing teargas at demonstrators. The dramatic scenes came after a peaceful march of half a million people made its way through other parts of the city as its deepest political crisis in two decades showed no sign of abating. |
| Half a dozen pro-democracy and independent lawmakers had earlier scuffled with protesters as they called for calm and pushed against the trolley that was being used to enter the council building. | Half a dozen pro-democracy and independent lawmakers had earlier scuffled with protesters as they called for calm and pushed against the trolley that was being used to enter the council building. |
| On Tuesday, pro-democracy lawmaker Fernando Cheung said the actions of the protesters were not appropriate, “but I understand where they’re coming from.” | On Tuesday, pro-democracy lawmaker Fernando Cheung said the actions of the protesters were not appropriate, “but I understand where they’re coming from.” |
| He said behind the action was the view that the Hong Kong government’s top priority is “no long serving the people of Hong Kong,” but instead “to assist the Chinese government to implement their national policy.” | He said behind the action was the view that the Hong Kong government’s top priority is “no long serving the people of Hong Kong,” but instead “to assist the Chinese government to implement their national policy.” |
| Cheung said the protesters had tried to go the legal route over the past few years, attempting to elect more representative lawmakers to the council, but the disqualification of their candidates on “political grounds” and the attempt to pass through a “patriotic, nationalist curriculum” in schools had left many feeling “so frustrated and desperate.” | Cheung said the protesters had tried to go the legal route over the past few years, attempting to elect more representative lawmakers to the council, but the disqualification of their candidates on “political grounds” and the attempt to pass through a “patriotic, nationalist curriculum” in schools had left many feeling “so frustrated and desperate.” |
| He warned there needed to be an overhaul of the system, “or their rebellion and defiance will not subside. I’m sure that they will come back again, one generation after another, and next time around we’re looking at an even younger generation rebelling against this regime.” | He warned there needed to be an overhaul of the system, “or their rebellion and defiance will not subside. I’m sure that they will come back again, one generation after another, and next time around we’re looking at an even younger generation rebelling against this regime.” |
| For the past month protesters have been demanding the withdrawal of a bill that would allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland as anger has grown against Hong Kong authorities and the territory’s chief executive, Carrie Lam. | For the past month protesters have been demanding the withdrawal of a bill that would allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland as anger has grown against Hong Kong authorities and the territory’s chief executive, Carrie Lam. |
| The rallies are the latest manifestation of growing fears that China is stamping down on the city’s freedoms and culture with the help of the finance hub’s pro-Beijing leaders. | The rallies are the latest manifestation of growing fears that China is stamping down on the city’s freedoms and culture with the help of the finance hub’s pro-Beijing leaders. |
| Although returned to Chinese rule in 1997, Hong Kong is still administered separately under an arrangement known as “one country, two systems”. The city enjoys rights and liberties unseen on the autocratic mainland, but many residents believe Beijing is reneging on that deal. | Although returned to Chinese rule in 1997, Hong Kong is still administered separately under an arrangement known as “one country, two systems”. The city enjoys rights and liberties unseen on the autocratic mainland, but many residents believe Beijing is reneging on that deal. |
| While the recent protests were initially sparked by Lam’s attempts to pass the proposed extradition legislation, the demonstrations have morphed into a wider movement against her administration and Beijing. | While the recent protests were initially sparked by Lam’s attempts to pass the proposed extradition legislation, the demonstrations have morphed into a wider movement against her administration and Beijing. |
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