ZCZC
BFF-34
HONGKONG-CHINA-POLITICS-UNREST
China readies for anniversary, Hong Kong for protest
BEIJING, Sept 30, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed
Monday to uphold Hong Kong’s special status on the eve of a huge military
parade in Beijing that risks being upstaged by more protests in the semi-
autonomous city.
Some 15,000 soldiers will march across Tiananmen Square and the latest
military technology will be displayed as part of the 70th anniversary
celebrations, a patriotic show of strength to demonstrate the country’s
emergence as a global superpower.
But while Beijing is preparing for huge celebrations, pro-democracy
protesters in Hong Kong threaten to steal the spotlight, with authorities in
the financial hub Monday warning of increased violence by “rioters”.
Xi told a reception in Beijing on Monday night that China would “continue
to fully and faithfully implement the principles of ‘one country, two
systems'” in Hong Kong.
“We are confident that with the full backing of the motherland and the
concerted efforts of our fellow Chinese in Hong Kong and Macau who love the
motherland… (Hong Kong) will prosper and progress alongside the mainland,”
Xi said.
The Chinese president is expected to speak again ahead of Tuesday’s parade
at the Gate of Heavenly Peace — the same spot where Chairman Mao Zedong
announced the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
After the military march a civilian parade will involve 100,000 civilians
and 70 floats, with organisers releasing 70,000 doves and 70,000 balloons
before an evening performance and fireworks in Tiananmen.
The capital city was decked in red Chinese flags, flower displays,
lanterns and political slogans ahead of the tightly-choreographed
festivities.
The final seating stands were pulled into place in Tiananmen on Monday,
with the whole square and central Beijing set to be closed off by evening.
Some roads were already closed on Sunday.
State broadcaster CCTV was playing patriotic shows throughout Monday and
showing images of celebrating citizens, including ethnic minorities in
traditional dress waving Chinese flags.
Xi paid tribute to Mao’s embalmed body at the late leader’s mausoleum at
Tiananmen Square.
But the city’s pollution levels remained high — uncharacteristic ahead of
a key event in China when authorities tend to close factories and produce
clear skies. – ‘Very, very dangerous’ –
Tuesday’s protests in Hong Kong will be “very, very dangerous”
Superintendent John Tse said, adding intelligence collected by the force
suggested hardcore protesters were advocating “murdering” police, without
elaborating where the information came from.
Shortly afterwards a group of protesters, their faces obscured by masks
and yellow hard hats, held an impromptu press conference in a park and called
on people to hit the streets on Tuesday.
“In the face of tyranny, we can only fight as if our last battle. When
dictatorship is a fact, revolution becomes a duty,” one protester said,
reading from a statement. The southern city witnessed its fiercest political
violence in weeks Sunday when riot police spent hours in running battles with
protesters, the streets blanketed in tear gas and smoke from burning
barricades.
Police said they arrested 146 people on Sunday alone, firing 328 tear gas
rounds and 306 rubber bullets. China has deployed elements of the People’s
Armed Police in Shenzhen, the city bordering Hong Kong, fuelling speculation
that Beijing might be prepared to intervene if necessary.
– ‘Day of Grief’ –
Millions have hit the streets during nearly four months of pro-democracy
protests, and hardcore activists have repeatedly clashed with police, in the
biggest challenge to China’s rule since the city’s handover from Britain in
1997.
Democracy activists have dubbed it a “Day of Grief”, and there appears
little sign of the protests abating in Hong Kong.
On Monday, authorities announced that they were upholding a ban on a
planned National Day democracy march, citing security concerns.
The Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), a group that advocates non-violence
and was behind a series of huge peaceful rallies earlier in the summer, hit
out at the decision, saying it was the fourth time their march proposals have
been rejected.
“Hong Kong is now having less and less freedom and becoming more and more
like Beijing,” CHRF spokeswoman Bonnie Leung told reporters.
With legal rallies banned, online forums used by the largely leaderless
movement have instead called for wildcat protests across the city in an
effort to stretch police resources. School and university students also took
part in a one-day class boycott on Monday.
The city’s summer of discontent was triggered by an extradition bill to
the mainland that has now been shelved. But the movement has since morphed
into a call for free elections and less intervention from Beijing, among
other demands.
City leader Carrie Lam flew to Beijing Monday to take part in the National
Day celebrations.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1725 hrs