Hong Kong policeman filmed aiming gun at protesters hailed as a hero by Chinese state media
- The officer’s actions last month were widely criticised, but as mainland outlets ramp up their rhetoric against the protests he has been singled out for praise
- Police defended his actions, saying he had been surrounded by demonstrators and had lost his helmet
A Hong Kong police officer who faced a storm of criticism after he was caught on camera pointing a shotgun at protesters has been hailed as a hero “who moved all of China” by state media in mainland China.
In recent weeks mainland state media has stepped up its rhetoric by attacking protesters and calling for tough measures from police.
On Wednesday Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid published by Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily, singled out the officer, whom they identified only by his surname Lau, for praise, saying he had only raised his gun because he had no other way of defending himself.
The Hong Kong anti-government protests, which have continued for nine weeks, have put an immense strain on the police force once described as Asia’s finest.