On Saturday, a spokesman for China’s ceremonial legislature condemned US lawmakers voicing support for the pro-democracy movement and claimed Hong Kong’s 7.5 million people and Chinese population as a whole rejected the actions of a “very small group of violent protesters”.
You Wenze called comments by US lawmakers including House speakerHong Kong, a regional financial hub once known as one of the world’s safest cities, has seen numerous violent confrontations between police and hardcore protesters who have thrown rocks, bricks and Molotov cocktails and used slingshots and laser pointers to provoke police or inflict revenge.Nancy Pelosi “a gross violation of the spirit of the rule of law, a blatant double standard and a gross interference in China’s internal affairs”.
Ahead of Sunday’s rally, a post on lihkg.com, a forum popular with protesters, said: “Hongkongers can change our tactics in the ‘be water’ style instead of being ruled by anger and hatred.”
Hong Kong had its first tear gas-free Saturday for weeks after three separate rallies took place in Kowloon. The marches this Saturday and Sunday marked the 11th weekend of protests in Hong Kong as residents continue to press the government to formally withdraw the controversial extradition bill.
Despite the call for peace, a number of protesters on Sunday still cover their faces with masks and scarves, fearing they would face prosecution as the government has so far arrested more than 600 protesters in the past two months.
“I still worry police might use tear gas and beat up people today,” said Alan Chan, who has young children. “The Chinese government is hardening its stance and threatening us with the People’s Liberation Army. If we don’t come out now, do we wait till they implement the martial law?”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...s-interference
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