Hong Kong sees tense calm after violent protest against China

Hong Kong see a tense calm since early Tuesday, hours after police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters who had stormed the legislature.
Protesters vented anger against an extradition bill in a direct challenge to Beijing.

Debris including umbrellas, hard hats and water bottles were the few signs left of the mayhem.

Most importantly, the protesters stormed and ransacked the legislature in the Chinese-ruled city.

They marked the anniversary of Hong Kong’s 1997 return to Chinese rule with violent protest.

Meanwhile, Police has cleared roads near the heart of the financial centre, paving the way for business to return to normal.

However, the former British colony’s government offices remain closed today.

Because, there protesters smashed computers and spray-painted “anti-extradition.” And they painted slurs against the police and government on chamber walls.

The government’s executive council meeting was due to be held in Government House, officials said.
Millions of people have taken to the streets in the past few weeks to protest against the now-suspended extradition bill.

Notably, the bill would allow sedning people to mainland China to face trial in Communist Party-controled courts.

Lawyers and rights groups claim torture, forced confessions and arbitrary detention mark China’s justice system.

Most importantly, Western criticism of the bill also has angered China.

The bill triggered a backlash against Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, taking in the business, diplomatic and legal communities.

Said communities fear corrosion of the legal autonomy of Hong Kong and the difficulty of guaranteeing a fair trial in China.

Lam, Hong Kong’s self-styled Iron Lady, has created a fresh crisis for Chinese President Xi Jinping, already grappling with a trade war with Washington, a faltering economy and tensions in the South China Sea.

Tightening grip

Hong Kong returned to China under a “one country, two systems” formula that allows freedoms. It allows freedom to protest and an independent judiciary. Mainland China doesn’t enjoy such freedoms.

However, many fear Beijing’s tightening grip over the city.

Beijing denies interfering. But, many Hong Kong residents see the extradition bill a step towards mainland control.

Also, the self-ruled island of Taiwan, overwhelmingly opposed to a “one country, two systems” formula for itself, has voiced support for Hong Kong.

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