(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.) By Peter Apps LONDON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - As protests in Hong Kong approach their sixth consecutive month, those in charge of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing may be regretting they ever took control of the territory – and particularly under a “one country, two systems” arrangement. With riot police and student demonstrators fighting pitched battles at Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University for much of the last week, it appears that the two sides are now locked in a confrontation from which neither sees a plausible exit. For many of those taking to the streets, their actions are seen as central to protecting Hong Kong’s surviving civil liberties, as well as keeping open the hope of future and more democratic reform. For those in Beijing, making such concessions would undermine much of what has held communist rule together for three quarters of a century. They want the … [Read more...] about COLUMN-In Hong Kong, worst may be yet to come: Peter Apps
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Hong Kong rejects democracy rally on China’s National Day
An appeals board on Monday upheld a police ban on a major pro-democracy rally in Hong Kong planned for China's National Day on Tuesday. The Hong Kong board concluded the rally's organizers would be unable to protect attendees, given a high likelihood of violence in the city that has been rocked by weeks of protests. 'Police state' The Civil Human Rights Front warned that denying a peaceful avenue for protesters could accelerate violence because protestors will turn up anyway on what has been dubbed by protesters as a "Day of Grief." "Hong Kong is losing its freedom of speech and assembly. Hong Kong is becoming more and more like a police state, like a tyranny like Beijing," said Bonnie Leung, the Civil Human Rights Front coordinator who has organized several major rallies in recent months. What do a revolution's colors tell us? Hong Kong dressed in black Black, chosen for its association with mourning and sorrow, is the color — or anti-color — of choice for the … [Read more...] about Hong Kong rejects democracy rally on China’s National Day
Hong Kong Airport Closed: Flights Canceled until Tuesday as Protesters Occupy Terminal Building
All departing flights at Hong Kong International Airport have been canceled for the rest of Monday following a dramatic fourth day of protests at one of the world's busiest transport hubs. The shutdown comes after 10 weeks of protests in the Chinese territory. The latest actions have targeted the police, whom protesters accuse of using excessive force over the weekend to quash demonstrators. Hong Kong's airport authority said in a statement: "Other than departure flights that have completed the check-in process and the arrival flights already heading to Hong Kong, all other flights have been canceled for the rest of today," (via The Guardian). All passengers have been advised not to travel to the airport and the cancellation period is due to expire at 6 a.m. on Tuesday. The BBC reported that the airport has effectively shut down while authorities consider their next move in tackling the crisis. Hong Kong's police said that 5,000 activists have been occupying the airport's arrivals hall … [Read more...] about Hong Kong Airport Closed: Flights Canceled until Tuesday as Protesters Occupy Terminal Building
Wilbur Ross Says Hong Kong Protests An ‘Internal Matter’: ‘What Are We Going To Do, Invade?’
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross dismissed questions regarding if the United States should become involved in the ongoing protests in Hong Kong, calling the dispute between the city and China an "internal matter." Ross' comments came during an appearance on CNBC's Squawk Box on Wednesday, where the commerce secretary discussed the delay in tariffs for some Chinese goods and fears from some consumers and economists that the United States could be headed toward a recession, along with comments on the ongoing trade war with China and the protests in Hong Kong. Squawk Box host Joe Kernen posed the question about Hong Kong to Ross, saying that those in the Trump administration are used to criticism, but there has been some discussion that the U.S. has "pulled back from our role in the world as supporters of freedom." Kernen went on to reference various comments made by President Donald Trump where he has appeared to be neutral regarding the clashes. "And by saying we are neutral on what's … [Read more...] about Wilbur Ross Says Hong Kong Protests An ‘Internal Matter’: ‘What Are We Going To Do, Invade?’
COLUMN-Beset by Hong Kong protests, China’s Xi showcases missiles: Peter Apps
(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.) By Peter Apps LONDON, Oct 4 (Reuters) - As Hong Kong recovered from its most violent day of protests so far, Beijing’s English-language “Global Times” newspaper led on the celebrations of 70 years of Communist rule. The celebrations, it argued, showed the peaceful intent and unity of Chinese society - illustrating the article with a picture of a new ballistic missile it said could drop nuclear warheads on any place on earth. Overall, President Xi Jinping may well have been largely satisfied with the optics of this week’s celebrations, at least on mainland China. The last year, however, has been a particularly challenging one for the 66-year-old leader. The trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump has not just hurt China economically, but thrown into question the continuation of the entire model of globalization to which Beijing has tied its fortunes for 30 years. Unrest in Hong … [Read more...] about COLUMN-Beset by Hong Kong protests, China’s Xi showcases missiles: Peter Apps
Hong Kong police sound alarm over home-made explosives ahead of weekend protest
Hong Kong police’s explosives disposal squad gave a rare behind the scenes demonstration on Friday to showcase the potentially deadly force of home-made explosives, some of which have been seized during the unrest and protests seen in the city over the past six months. The demonstration, on a secluded mountain range overlooking the city, came days before a large-scale march protesting police violence in Hong Kong that is set to be held on Sunday by the pro-democracy group Civil Human Rights Front. The march has received police approval, with appeals for calm and a commitment from police that they will refrain from using teargas or force as long as no bricks or petrol bombs are thrown by protesters. The demonstration began with the detonation of a 1-gram equivalent of tri-acetone tri-peroxide or TATP, a highly combustible substance easily ignited through friction and heat, on a watermelon, and moved up to exploding up 50 grams of a TATP equivalent … [Read more...] about Hong Kong police sound alarm over home-made explosives ahead of weekend protest