Counter-rally supporting police
Meanwhile, thousands of people, mostly in white, gathered for a separate rally in Victoria Park in support of the police on Saturday. The crowd shouted slogans and waved Chinese and Hong Kong flags. Pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho said, “We are the real Hong Kong people who are not the same as those black-shirted thugs. We don’t need a so-called ‘HK revolution’, we only need to do our best, which is enough,” Reuters reported.
More protests ahead
However, more anti-government protests are scheduled for Sunday with a mass strike on Monday, as the protesters continue to be angered over the government’s refusal to communicate, violent ways of police to put an end to the protests and the arrest of 44 people this week on rioting charges.
US behind unrest, says China
The Xinhua News Agency on Friday had quoted China’s State Councilor Yang Jiechi who blamed the US and some western governments for fanning the unrest in Hong Kong. Earlier, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and other officials and diplomats had also claimed that “western forces” were behind the protests. According to reports by the Chinese media, the head of the police union had called for a probe into the alleged role of the US in the Hong Kong crisis.
Halt sale of munitions to Hong Kong: Opposition to Trump admin
Meanwhile, a group of opposition lawmakers in the US called on the Trump administration to stop the sale of munitions and crowd-control equipment to Hong Kong’s police force, which has been accused of applying excessive force on the protesters.
Significance of the protest
Under Chinese rule, Hong Kong has been allowed to retain extensive freedoms. However, many residents see the extradition bill as the latest step towards giving in to mainland control. The political crisis that the protests have brought to the country are the most serious of its kind since Hong Kong to China 22 years ago. They also pose a major challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping who is already grappling with an accelerating trade war with the US and a slowing economy in a politically-sensitive year.