China News  
SINO DAILY
Thousands march in Hong Kong as restrictions grow
By Elaine YU, Ezra Cheung
Hong Kong (AFP) July 1, 2018

Protesters marched through central Hong Kong on Sunday in one of the city's major annual pro-democracy rallies as organisers said the event was coming under unprecedented pressure from authorities.

Beijing has become increasingly intolerant of signs of dissent in semi-autonomous Hong Kong since massive pro-democracy rallies in 2014 brought parts of the city to a standstill and led to the emergence of activists demanding independence from China.

Hong Kong has rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of expression, but there are concerns those liberties are now under threat from a repressive Beijing and a loyalist local government.

Ahead of this year's march -- which takes place on the anniversary of the city's return to China by colonial power Britain in 1997 -- police rejected a number of starting points suggested by organisers.

In the past, protesters have gathered on the main football pitches inside Hong Kong's Victoria Park.

But since last year, when China's President Xi Jinping paid a visit to mark 20 years since the handover, that area has been given over to a pro-Beijing rally.

"This year is a turning point in which (authorities) have used different ways to mobilise their power to suppress the rally," Sammy Ip, from the Civil Human Rights Front which organises the march, told AFP.

Police warned residents they could be arrested for unlawful assembly if they joined the protest along the route, which Ip described as a way to "intimidate citizens".

Pro-Beijing Hong Kong newspaper Ta Kung Pao called for the march to be outlawed in an editorial last month.

Ip said the democracy movement was at a low ebb and was now being "hounded" by the government.

- Government warnings -

The march set off from a grass-covered area at one side of the park and culminated at the government's headquarters.

Organisers said 50,000 attended, lower than last year's figure of more than 60,000. Police put the turnout at 9,800.

Protesters chanted: "End one-party dictatorship! Reject the deterioration of Hong Kong!"

Some wore masks of the city's leader Carrie Lam with long rubber Pinocchio-style noses attached.

"It's about justice," one 74-year-old who gave her name as Ms Liu told AFP.

"The problems in Hong Kong have always been serious but now they are getting worse."

Social worker Iris Wong, 26, said she was worried about Hong Kong's freedoms being curtailed.

"The government isn't working for the people and a lot of Hong Kong people are suffering," she told AFP.

Protesters flouted the police ban on joining midway through the march and speakers thanked them for "risking arrest".

Since the 2014 Umbrella Movement, leading pro-democracy activists have been prosecuted on protest-related charges.

Pro-democracy and pro-independence activists have also been barred from standing for office in Hong Kong's partially elected system, or ejected from seats they had won through a public vote.

Other rights groups also joined the march, including LGBT campaigners as well as protesters calling for better living conditions and equality in the densely packed city, which has an ever-widening wealth gap.

In response to the rally, the government issued a statement saying it safeguarded "core values" including freedom and democracy and the semi-autonomous "one country, two systems" set-up under which Hong Kong is ruled.

However, the statement warned protesters to toe the line, saying slogans which "disrespect 'one country'" or that are "sensational and misleading" would damage Hong Kong's development.

The largest July 1 rally took place in 2003, when half a million people marched against a proposed anti-subversion law, which was then shelved.


Related Links
China News from SinoDaily.com


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


SINO DAILY
US plans beefed up scrutiny of Chinese investments: Bloomberg
Paris (AFP) June 25, 2018
The United States is planning to use an emergency law in order to ratchet up its scrutiny of Chinese investments in key industries, Bloomberg News reported Monday. The report, which cites eight sources familiar with the plans, said such a move would put "Washington's trade war with Beijing on a potentially irreversible course". "Under the plan, the White House would use one of the most significant legal measures available to declare China's investment in US companies involved in technologies suc ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SINO DAILY
China confirms reception of data from Gaofen-6 satellite

Experts Explain How China Is Opening International Space Cooperation

Beijing welcomes use of Chinese space station by all UN Nations

China upgrades spacecraft reentry and descent technology

SINO DAILY
China defends its post-WTO business record

Trump favors tougher investment oversight but stops short of targeting China

Mnuchin rebuts reports on new China investment restrictions

US restrictions on Chinese investment next front in trade dispute

SINO DAILY
SINO DAILY
European countries to formalise EU defence force plan

Ahead of NATO summit, Trump urges Canada to up defense spending

Despite rows, EU-US defence ties still strong: NATO chief

US 'committed to NATO': senior Army commander

SINO DAILY
The power to transform the industry

Chernobyl's stray dogs offered new life in US

Creating a new composite fuel for new-generation fast reactors

Nuclear power shutdowns won't spike power prices

SINO DAILY
Chinese island eyes oasis from web censorship for foreigners

EU states to form 'rapid response' cyber force: Lithuania

US Senate votes to reimpose ban on China's ZTE, shares plunge

Apple steps up encrytion to thwart police cracking of iPhones

SINO DAILY
The power to transform the industry

Chernobyl's stray dogs offered new life in US

Creating a new composite fuel for new-generation fast reactors

Nuclear power shutdowns won't spike power prices

SINO DAILY
Batteries make offshore wind energy debut

India embarks on offshore wind energy effort

New wind turbines are even efficient in low winds

Cryptocurrency blowing in the wind as mine opens in Estonia









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.