HONG KONG, 2 September 2019: Protests in Hong Kong turned violent at the weekend as police fired tear gas and water cannon on thousands of protesters in the inner-city districts.
There are reports of impending strikes early this week as schools return after holidays. The airport has been declared a priority target for protests. this week.
The outlook is bleak according to local media reports as China approaches the celebration if the Communist anniversary and both sides refuse to budge.
Travel advisories continue to warn traveller to be vigilant in they are currently in Hong Kong and to postpone unessential travel. Protests are now in the 13th week as tensions rise and fears that security officers will make mass arrests.
Some MRT rail stations closed as protests disrupted train services. Travel advisories warn visitors to be aware that transport services could close without warning.
Neighbouring countries in Asia have issued travel advisories including Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore warning their citizens to postpone trips to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Police Force has issued a general alert Sunday that protests are causing severe disruptions, particularly at Hong Kong island stations.
Hong Kong police fired tear gas at protesters gathered outside government headquarters at the weekend as thousands defied a ban to rally through the city centre, local news channels reported.
A water cannon with blue-dyed liquid was also used after police claimed a hard-core group of protesters were throwing rocks and were armed with shields. Blue-dyed water is traditionally used elsewhere in the world to make it easier for police to identify protesters later.
Other protesters started fires, threw petrol bombs and pointed lasers at riot police as they smashed down a barrier erected around the government’s parliament building.
Amid the chaos, protesters also dug up the pavement to use as projectiles and crouched under umbrellas. (Source wire services, CAN, travel advisories)
