Hundreds of police were on standby at Hong Kong’s Government House on Sunday (March 15) at its bi-annual open day after threats of anti-mainland protests by radical groups.
Although individuals attempted to protest by opening yellow umbrellas, a sign ofHong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, they were quickly escorted out of the area by police.
Thousands of people lined up all day to enter the Chief Executive’s residence and gardens, including Mr Chan, a Chinese native who has lived in Hong Kong for five years who was unfazed by the threat of protests.
“Hong Kong people have their right to freedom of speech and they have their own views. I agree with their view half, half,” he said
Nearby, around three hundred people carrying banners and Chinese flags marched through the streets in protest against anti-mainland violence seen in recent weeks.
One of the organisers, Hong Kong farmer, Tang Tak Shing, said it was time to speak out against the violence in their community.
“We are having a strike today and asking people to come out to fight violence. Because we see violence in our communities and that is not right. So we think it’s the time we have to speak out,” he said.
In the last month, protesters in Hong Kong’s New Territories just a stone’s throw from mainland China, have targeted so-called parallel traders, who buy goods in Hong Kong to sell at a profit across the border.
The demonstrations against Chinese visitors that have tapped a seam of resentment against China, resulted in calls for greater Hong Kong nationalism and even independence from China, nearly three months after police cleared away the last of pro-democracy street protests in the city.
Reuters
