A Chinese official says the central government is considering what measures to take next as weeks of demonstrations have led to the “most severe situation” faced by Hong Kong since its handover from British rule in 1997.
A man carries an umbrella and wears a face mask as lawyers gather for a protest march in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. The head of Beijing's Cabinet office responsible for Hong Kong says the territory is facing its "most severe situation" since the handover from British rule in 1997.
Those protests are getting increasingly violent and having “an increasingly broad impact on society,” Zhang told the 500 attendees, who included members of the Hong Kong and central government legislative and advisory bodies. Hong Kong was returned to China under the framework of “one country, two systems,” which promised the city political, civil and economic freedoms not allowed under Communist Party rule on the mainland.
Speculation that the military could be deployed grew after Chinese officials pointed to an article in Hong Kong law that allows troops already stationed in the city to help with “public order maintenance” at the Hong Kong government’s request. Margaret Ng, a lawyer and a former lawmaker, said they wanted to meet Cheng and the director of public prosecution to seek an assurance that there was no political motive in prosecution of those detained in the protests.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
China warns Hong Kong protesters not to 'play with fire'Protesters in Hong Kong must not 'play with fire' and mistake Beijing&...
Read more »
China warns Hong Kong protesters against playing with 'fire'In its harshest warning yet Beijing says the immense strength of the central government should not be underestimated as police in the semi-autonomous city announced they had arrested 148 people in connection with Monday's violence.
Read more »
China Warns Hong Kong Protesters, Signals Growing ImpatienceChina’s top office for Hong Kong affairs signaled Beijing’s waning patience with protesters in Hong Kong, warning them not to underestimate the strength of the central government and urging the local police to punish those who break the law.
Read more »
China Says Hong Kong Protesters Who Break Law Will Be PunishedChina’s top office for Hong Kong affairs warned protesters in the city not to underestimate the strength of the central government and urged the local police to crack down on those who break the law.
Read more »
China calls on U.S. politicians to stop colluding with Hong Kong separatistsThe Chinese foreign ministry's commissioner in Hong Kong said on Tuesday th...
Read more »