Protesters force their way into Hong Kong’s legislature
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Update: Hong Kong police are using tear gas outside the Legco building, Verna Yu reports from the ground.
“The scene outside Legco is filled with smoke, people screaming and running away,” Verna says.
Earlier: Protests in Hong Kong marking the anniversary of the city’s handover to Chinese rule turned violent as demonstrators clashed with police and tried to break into a government building.
Later in the day, protesters have forced their way into Hong Kong’s legislature, and are engaged in a standoff with police inside.
Dozens of demonstrators broke through the glass of the Legislative Council (LegCo) building, while a large crowd observed the violence from outside.
Police held signs warning they would use force if protesters charged, but have yet to move against the crowd.
Police fired pepper spray to disperse the protest ahead of a flag raising ceremony in the city, while demonstrators responded by raising the Hong Kong flag and a black flag at half-mast.
Protesters hold up umbrellas as they try to break into the Legislative Council building during the annual 01 July pro-democracy march in Hong Kong, China
Monday marked the 22nd anniversary of China’s takeover of the former British colony, which comes at a time of turmoil with the mainland.
More than a million people have taken part in protests in Hong Kong in the last three weeks against a proposed extradition bill that would see suspected criminals be taken to the mainland to face trial.
The handover of Hong Kong was originally set out and agreed in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration.
Speaking ahead of the anniversary, Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt said:
Recent protests in Hong Kong make it even more important on the anniversary of the handover to reiterate that the UK Government’s commitment to the Sino-British Joint Declaration is unwavering. It is a legally-binding treaty and remains as valid today as it did when it was signed and ratified over thirty years ago.
It is imperative that Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, and the rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people, are fully respected in line with the Joint Declaration and the Hong Kong Basic Law. We have made our position on this clear to the Chinese Government, both publicly and in private, and will continue to do so.
Hong Kong remains one of the most thriving, exciting, dynamic cities in the world. It retains its distinctive identity, both within China and internationally. We remain committed to strengthening our rich and wide-ranging relationship with Hong Kong. Tens of thousands of Hong Kong students study in the UK every year. Hundreds of thousands of British citizens are resident in Hong Kong, as well as a significant number of British National (Overseas) Passport holders. We will continue to work together as partners in support of global free trade, and will continue to develop our bilateral trade links with Hong Kong.
We will continue to closely monitor events in Hong Kong. We strongly believe that upholding ‘One Country, Two Systems’ is the best way to ensure Hong Kong continues to play a vital role for China, and to continue its role and reputation as a global financial and trading centre for the rest of the world.
