Hong Kong marking China’s National Day, police deployed to maintain order
Thousands of riot police are stationed across Hong Kong to maintain order and prevent potential disturbances by anti-government protesters while the semi-autonomous city marks China’s National Day.
Helicopters flying the flags of China and Hong Kong hovered above the harbor, where Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam and senior Chinese officials attended a ceremony to celebrate the occasion amid tight security on Thursday.
During the ceremony, Lam hailed the territory’s return to peace after months of often violent anti-government protests.
“Over the past few months, an indisputable fact in front of everyone is that our society has returned to peace,” she said. “Our country’s national security has been protected in Hong Kong and our citizens can again exercise their rights and liberties in accordance with laws.”
The People’s Republic of China celebrates its founding on October 1 with a holiday and festivities.
Last year, the events in Hong Kong were marred by clashes between violent protesters and police.
This year, police refused to issue a permit for a proposed march by the Civil Human Rights Front, which mobilized marches last year, citing security concerns and coronavirus restrictions.
It was unclear how many people would join any demonstrations.
Riot police were seen conducting stop-and-search operations along what was expected to be a protest rally route and maintained a high presence throughout the city.
Anti-government protests began last year over a now-shelved extradition law and escalated in June. The protesters often heavily vandalized shops and public property and attacked citizens believed to be pro-government. Hong Kong dropped that bill, but the acts of violence continued.
However, since the government imposed a ban on public meetings to curb the coronavirus outbreak, Hong Kong has been relatively calm.
The Chinese government said the United States and Britain fanned the flames of the unrest in Hong Kong by supporting the protesters.
In May, Hong Kong adopted a bill to enact a uniform national security law. That law also prompted short-lived protests in the city.
Hong Kong has been governed under the “one-country, two-system” model since the city — a former British colony — was returned to China in 1997.
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