Hong Kong protesters clash with police on anniversary of Chinese handover
Tensions erupted in Hong Kong today between thousands of protesters and police in the early hours of Monday ahead of the anniversary of the island’s handover from British to Chinese rule.
Police used pepper spray and batons to control demonstrators outside a venue hosting the annual flag-raising ceremony to mark the 22nd anniversary of the end of British rule.
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Protesters then tried to break into the government building, according to the BBC.
Rallies continue over a controversial proposed bill that would have enabled Hong Kong to extradite people to mainland China to stand trial.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has agreed to suspend the bill indefinitely but protests have continued regardless.
She is now facing calls for her resignation.
Police armed with shields and batons met with hundreds of protesters half an hour before the ceremony at the Convention and Exhibition Centre, local media outlet SCMP said.
Meanwhile one woman was seen bleeding from a head wound, according to news agency AFP.
Police accused protesters of “illegal acts” by taking iron poles and guard rails from local building sites.
Thirteen officers were taken to hospital after demonstrators threw an “unknown liquid” at them, the police added, with some officers suffering breathing difficulties.
At the flag ceremony Lam said it was important she listen to Hong Kong citizens more closely.
“I will learn the lesson and ensure that the government’s future work will be closer and more responsive to the aspirations, sentiments and opinions of the community,” she said.
Demonstrators have demanded that the government completely withdraw the extradition bill and release activists arrested in protests against the bill on 12 June.
They have also called on the authorities to withdraw the term “riot” to describe the protests, as well as demanding official investigations into allegations of police violence.
Read more: Hong Kong leader suspends extradition bill after mass protests
More than 1m people have openly protested against Beijing-backed leader Lam over the last three weeks.
Critics of the bill see it as a threat to Hong Kong’s own rule of law.