Sunday 29 September 2019 6:42 pm

Protests ramp up as Hong Kong prepares for China’s national day

HONG KONG, CHINA – SEPTEMBER 29: A pro-democracy protesters looks out for police before a march on September 29, 2019 in Hong Kong, China. Pro-democracy demonstrations have entered its fourth month as Hong Kong braces for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China with a series of pro and anti-Beijing protests scheduled towards October 1. Anti-government protesters have continued its call for Chief Executive Carrie Lam to meet their remaining demands, including an independent inquiry into police brutality, the retraction of the word “riot” to describe the rallies, and genuine universal suffrage. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Protests which have rocked Hong Kong for months intensified today as the city prepares for China’s national day this week.

Police opened fire with tear gas canisters, rubber bullets and water cannon as protesters threw petrol bombs at authorities and into a government building.

Protesters are demanding universal sufferage, and charges to be dropped against their fellow demonstrators.

Carrie Lam, the city’s leader, is set to leave Hong Kong for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the communist party taking control of China.

More protests are expected ahead of the anniversary on Tuesday.

Today protesters dressed in black shielded themselves against tear gas behind the movement’s now iconic umbrellas.

It comes as foreign secretary Dominic Raab promised to not let down the protesters.

“We won’t look the other way, when the people of Hong Kong are beaten indiscriminately on commuter trains for exercising the right to peaceful protest,” he told the Conservative Party conference.