Hong Kong protests: Activist shot as clashes overshadow China’s National Day
A Hong Kong protester has reportedly been shot in the chest by a live police round, overshadowing China’s celebrations of its 70th anniversary of Communist rule.
First aid workers were seen tending to an injured man on the street, according to South China Morning Post, which reported that police hit a demonstrator in the chest with a live round.
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Footage uploaded to Facebook shows the man groaning on the ground, SCMP reported, and saying: “My chest is in pain, take me to the hospital.”
Protesters and police have been clashing in Hong Kong, casting a cloud over China’s military parade to mark its 70th anniversary today.
Tanks, armoured units and supersonic drones have all been rolled out as part of Beijing’s extravagant celebrations to mark 70 years since the Communist Party came to power.
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Yet the parade has been clouded by anger in Hong Kong, where pro-democracy demonstrators have once again taken to the streets.
Local media has reported warning shots being fired in Hong Kong’s Kowloon area, with fresh clashes between protesters and police.
The standoff between authorities and protesters has been going on now for six months. Hong Kong’s citizens first gathered in March to voice their anger over a proposed China extradition law that the government has belatedly scrapped.
In a speech today, China President Xi Jinping struck a tough tone, declaring that “No force can shake this great nation.”
In pictures: Hong Kong protests mar China’s National Day
A protester charges with umbrellas as violent protests take place in the streets of Hong Kong on October 1, 2019, as the city observes the National Day holiday to mark the 70th anniversary of communist China’s founding. – Police fanned out across Hong Kong on October 1 in a bid to deter pro-democracy protests as the city marked communist China’s 70th birthday, with local officials attending a closed door flag-raising ceremony behind closed doors (Getty Images) 
A protester reacts as a fire burns during violent protests in the streets of Hong Kong (Getty Images) 
Firefighters put out a fire in Admiralty (Getty Images) 
Smoke rises up from a fire during a protest in the street in the Wanchai district in Hong Kong (Getty Images) 
A policeman displays a sign warning protesters gathered on a road near the central government offices in the Admiralty area in Hong Kong (Getty Images)
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He also said he was committed to “peaceful reunification and one country, two systems” for Hong Kong and Macau, and “peace” and “reunification” with Taiwan.
Roughly 160 aircraft and 580 pieces of military equipment, including drones and missiles, have been showcased as part of the military parade.