Hong Kong government forced to hold flag-raising ceremony inside for first time as rain threatens, and protesters and police clash in the streets
- Event marking return of city to China in 1997 takes place against backdrop of extradition bill political crisis
- Police say 13 officers sent to hospital after being splashed with unidentified liquid, while protesters are pepper sprayed
Hong Kong celebrated the handover of sovereignty to China indoors for the first time on Monday amid heavy security, violent clashes between police and protesters, and rain.
After some early morning showers, the government said the flag-raising ceremony scheduled for 8am would be moved from the waterfront of the city’s Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai to inside the complex, after the heavens opened around 6am.
While the flags themselves were raised outside, guests watched proceedings via a live broadcast from inside the exhibition centre before Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor made a six-minute speech in which she promised to reform her administration’s governing style, starting with herself.
Security had been stepped up markedly compared to previous years, with layers of water-filled barricades set up around the exhibition centre, while dozens of police officers guarded the entrance, and marine police patrolled Victoria Harbour.
Police said 13 officers were sent to hospital after clashes with protesters in the streets nearby. A source said the injured officers had been splashed with an unidentified liquid that was believed to be drain cleaner.
A statement issued at 11.30am condemning the violence said the officers were hurt during clashes at Lung Wo Road, Tim Mei Avenue and Harcourt Road at around 9.30am. It said some of those injured could hardly breathe and their skin had swelled.