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SCMP Reporters

Hong Kong police and protesters clashed again on Sunday night in what has become a regular scene in Hong Kong.
Police made at least a dozen arrests while tear gas was fired at various locations on Hong Kong Island. Protesters marched unauthorised for the second night running, after an illegal demonstration ended in bloody clashes at Yuen Long MTR station on Saturday
The violence continued until the protesters dispersed at midnight, while earlier in the day the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Beijing's top policy body for the two cities, announced it would "declare its stance" on Hong Kong on Monday.  
You can read how the events unfolded in our live blog. 
Reporting by Kimmy Chung, Linda Lew, Ng Kang-chung, Victor Ting, Su Xinqi, Zoe Low and Michelle Wong. 


As it happened: How a seemingly directionless Hong Kong march stretched for 6km and still ended in clashes

Protesters and police clash in what have become familiar scenes in Hong Kong. Photo: Felix Wong

Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong hits out at accusations it was behind Yuen Long attacks, calling them ‘malicious rumours’

News

Hong Kong

Politics

Beijing’s liaison office condemned as ‘malicious rumours’ accusations it was behind the attack by white-clad men on protesters and passers-by at Yuen Long station on Sunday night. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Water and metal barricades have been installed outside the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Sai Ying Pun. 26JUL19 SCMP / Edmond So

(190723) -- HONG KONG, July 23, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Wang Zhimin, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), speaks when meeting the press in Hong Kong, south China, July 22, 2019. The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR will as always firmly fulfill its duties as empowered by the central government and support the HKSAR government in its effective administration in accordance with the law, Wang Zhimin said on Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

Lau Siu-kai is pictured during an interview in Beijing. 05MAR16 === SCMP/Simon Song ===

FILE PHOTO: Senator Marco Rubio questions witnesses before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing about "worldwide threats" on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo

Organisers only granted permission to hold rally in Chater Garden but protesters begin marching and spread out
State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office earlier announced it is to reveal its stance on city’s situation on Monday


Demonstration comes hot on the heels of clashes in Yuen Long a day before after a banned march. Organiser for Sunday's event says he has not decided if he will expand the gathering into another march.


Hong Kong extradition bill

Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong police

Live

Dozens have showed up at Chater Garden for a rally, which is the only demonstration police approved following a rare move to reject recent protest applications over fears of violence. The crowd is small but growing, and the British colonial flag, earlier seen at other protests, has appeared, along with an American one. Photos by Linda Lew.




Colonial and American flags appear 

At police headquarters in Wan Chai and the Chief Executive's Office, barricades are in place, reflecting fears such buildings will again be targeted as in recent protests. But no guards or officers are visible at the sites. Photos by Su Xinqi.



 


Barricades up

Rally organiser Ventus Lau says he has not decided whether to press on with a banned march, especially after the violence last night in Yuen Long. “But I will try my best to support and protect those who go on the march by themselves,” he says.

Photo: Kimmy Chung
 
 


Organiser undecided on march

Max Chung, the organiser of the banned Yuen Long march on Saturday, has been arrested over unlawful assembly. 
Asked what he thought about police action on Chung, Sunday's rally organiser Ventus Lau says: “The police are trying to create white terror and deter us from organising rallies. But I won't be scared away.”


'I won't be scared away'

Yuen Long resident Ho Yi-lik was at Saturday's march after seeing chilling images from last week of civilians and protesters being attacked by a white-clad mob before police arrived. 
“I walk past Nam Pin Wai [the village where white-shirt men were seen gathering] almost every day. And I am devastated by what they have done to Yuen Long,” he says. “I don’t think people will have protest fatigue, even though many of them had marched the whole day yesterday. I for one am in for the long haul.”

Photo: Victor Ting


'No protest fatigue'

As more people arrive and police presence increases, some in the crowd have spilled onto Chater Road. Photos by Linda Lew. 




Crowds spill onto Chater Road

The crowd, now numbering in the thousands, has started marching, even though police earlier banned this. Protesters are blocking Queensway in both directions and chanting slogans against police. Photo by Kimmy Chung.

 


Illegal march begins

Senior Superintendent Yolanda Yu Hoi-kwan of the force's public relations branch appeals to the public not to take part in the banned march along Pedder Street and Connaught Road Central, as well as the rally in Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park in Sheung Wan. Speaking at a press conference, she says: “Police have issued a letter of no objection to the rally in Chater Garden but the other planned protests are illegal assemblies.”

Photo: Victor Ting


Police appeal to public not to join march

Officers shut the gates at Wan Chai police headquarters over fears of another siege by protesters. 

Photo: Victor Ting


Police HQ closes

All lanes on Hennessy Road are now occupied by marchers. 

Photo: Victor Ting


Hennessy Road occupied

An independence flag is unfurled as protesters march on Hennessy Road. Photo by Linda Lew. 

 
Tens of thousands of protesters pound the streets again, chanting “shame on rogue cops” pic.twitter.com/UaRMQnZf49
— Victor Ting (@VictorTing7) July 28, 2019


Hong Kong independence flag raised

A banner saying "liberate Hong Kong" is held alongside the American flag as marchers press on. At present there is no indication of the destination of the procession. 



Destination unclear

At the graduation ceremony for a military summer camp at San Wai Barracks in the morning, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor called on Hong Kong youth to broaden their horizons and pay attention to the nation's development in every sector. "You are all talented people, as long as you can open your hearts to appreciate other's strengths and learn from each other, you will be able to grow beyond your own limits."
She did not address the protest in Yuen Long on Saturday.

Photo: Handout
 


Carrie Lam attends ceremony at San Wai Barracks

It is nothing about the now suspended anti-extradition law anymore. “Liberate Hong Kong. Revolution of our times,” protestors keep chanting. pic.twitter.com/Rs8R0Yon6D
— Kimmy Chung (@kimmykychung) July 28, 2019


Beyond the extradition bill

The crowd has reached Causeway Bay. After a brief discussion, they are considering heading towards Victoria Park.


Photos: Mantai Chow


March reaches Causeway Bay

Police's public relations branch has confirmed that at least 13 people have been arrested in connection with Saturday’s protest in Yuen Long, including organiser Max Chung Kin-ping who was earlier arrested on Sunday. 
“He insisted on going to Yuen Long ... ending in a series of violent acts. Police will never condone this behaviour,” the police spokeswoman says, adding that officers had confiscated weapons including imitation firearms and metal rods on Saturday.


Police confirm 13 arrested for Yuen Long march

A crowd has gathered outside police headquarters in Wan Chai. Some are gearing up with helmets and gas masks. 

Photo: Victor Ting


Crowd gathers outside police HQ

A crowd outside Sogo in Causeway Bay has now stopped marching with some shouting that they should occupy the area outside the department store, which is in a busy shopping hub. 

Photo: Kimmy Chung


Shouts to occupy area outside Sogo

More than an hour after the rally at Chater Garden started, hundreds of protesters, mostly in black, are still gathering at the venue as others stream in from Queensway and Wan Chai. The atmosphere so far has been peaceful and relaxed. 

Photo: Su Xinqi


Crowds still growing at Chater Garden  

Protesters have filled one side of Hennessy Road, while more are streaming in and others are walking down from Wan Chai.

Photo: Zoe Low


Hennessy Road packed on one side

With the crowds occupying the area and bringing traffic to a standstill, trams are seen stuck on Tin Lok Lane. 

Photo: Stanley Shin


Trams stuck on Tin Lok Lane

Protesters outside Sogo in Causeway Bay have removed a batch of metal railings from the department store and started setting them up on the road. A supply chain has formed with people distributing hard hats, umbrellas and cling wrap while others hand out face masks, calling on every person to don one. 
Supply chains have formed along the tram lines on Hennessy Road near Sogo, with protesters chanting “Hongkongers add oil” as runners bring cling wrap, helmets and umbrellas pic.twitter.com/sgKNXtQKln
— Zoe Low (@ziqinglow) July 28, 2019

Photo: Kimmy Chung


Protesters set up road blocks, supply chain

KMB says 25 cross-harbour bus routes have been rerouted. New World First Bus and Citybus say 12 of their routes are suspended: 5B, 5X, 12, 12A, 12M, 13, 15C, 260, 967, H1, H2, W1.
Meanwhile, jewellery stores on the junction of Hennessy Road and Percival Street have shuttered. Causeway Bay Plaza 1 is also closed.


Bus routes suspended, stores close

"Our target is the liaison office. Not the Central Police Station. Don't stay for it. Go forward." Black bloc youth leading the march from Chater Garden to Sai Wan call on the followers #728protest #antiELAB #FreedomHK pic.twitter.com/k0rQep9Mvu
— Xinqi Su (@XinqiSu) July 28, 2019


Calls to head to liaison office

Chin Po-fun, a 59-year-old retiree, says she has followed along as people started marching out of Chater Garden. She has been urging protesters not to crowd the front.
“The weather is too hot and everyone is wearing masks and black T-shirts. So, I am reminding everyone not to crowd ahead,” she says. “I hope things stay calm, even though we applied for the letter of no objection to show respect for the process. Police need to understand we are protesting against the power structures and not them,” she says, adding she is not scared of violence.
“The young people are out here, so there’s no reason someone like me should not join as well.”

Photo: Zoe Low


'Protest is against power structure, not police'

Protesters have built a barricade at the junction of Yee Wo Street and Jardine's Bazaar. Meanwhile, on Connaught Road West, riot police are on standby. 



Barricades erected by protesters as riot police on guard

Third-year university student Aaron Yam, 20, came to the rally to insist on protesters’ demands, including a probe into police's handling of the matter over the past weeks. 
“The only way out for Hong Kong is to have a fair inquiry into the policing of recent protests, which saw large amounts of rubber bullets, beanbag rounds and tear gas being fired at protesters,” he says. 
Yam argues that police have abused their power in banning the planned march to Sheung Wan. “Police said the organisers can’t guarantee the safety of march-goers. But it is the responsibility of police to keep people safe, not the other way round.”

Photo: Victor Ting


'Inquiry into police actions the only way out'

KMB says five cross-harbour bus routes are suspended: 103, 108, 117, 934 and 936.
Another batch of 26 KMB bus routes have been diverted, which include 101, 102, 104, 106, 109, 111, 112, 113, 115, 116, 182, 307, 601, 603, 619, 673, 680, 681, 690, 905, 914, 948, 960, 961, 968 and 978.


KMB bus routes affected

A worker at Hoixie Cake Shop in Wan Chai says the march has not affected daily business. 
"We get fewer regular customers on days of protest, but protesters compensate that by giving us good business," he says, declining to be named.
He says they do not have any plan to close the shop early today. "The shop will close at 8.30 tonight, the usual time."

Photo: Linda Lew


Business as usual for Wan Chai cake shop

More pictures from the ground

Protesters have turned Tonnochy Road tram station into a Lennon Wall.

Photo: Linda Lew


Tram station turns Lennon Wall

John Walsch (right), 23, an American who has come here for business, and Robert Lee, 22, a tourist from UK passing through Hong Kong on his way home from Bali. They were eating in Din Tai Fung when a member of the staff came by with a note that said “procession” and asked them to leave. They had to pack their meal and leave the place. “We weren’t expecting this at all, but it’s incredible bravery of Hong Kong youth,” Lee says.

Photo: Zoe Low


Alerted by restaurant staff, tourists leave meal midway 

Beijing has announced the State Council Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office will hold a media conference on Monday afternoon to “brief its stance and views on Hong Kong’s current situation”.
It's the first press conference by China’s top Hong Kong policy office since the extradition bill crisis began.
The press conference will be hosted by two HKMAO spokesmen.


China's top Hong Kong policy office to speak

Chain stores - such as Adidas and H&M on Paterson Street - close their shutters.
Photo: Kimmy Chung


Shops close the shutters

Riot police on Des Voeux Road West have warned tear gas may be deployed.
They ask reporters not to block their advancement when they take action.


Tear gas warning

Colour Chan, 24, is standing at the exit of Chater Garden, urging protesters to head towards Sai Wan instead of Causeway Bay. 
“Our main purpose today is to demand that police explain the 36 shots they fired in Sheung Wan on July 21. There’s no use going to Causeway Bay,” she says. 
Chan is worried about police operations later in Sai Wan.
“We need more people there to protect our protesters,” she adds.

Photo: Michelle Wong


'We need more people to protect our protesters'

Riani (left) is a domestic helper from Indonesia who has been in Hong Kong for eight years. “I don’t feel like they have kept me from my off day. Any country would have protests too. This is their fight, and I’m curious to see what happens,” she says, referring to the march today. She adds that she had also observed protests during the Occupy movement in 2014. 
“Back then, I felt it was normal, I was not scared, but now, I am a little scared.”

Photo: Zoe Low
 


'This is their fight'

Riot police and protesters face each other at a distance of 100 metres on Connaught Road West.

Photo: Victor Ting


100-metre stand-off between protesters and riot police

Protesters paste Post-it notes on the glass door of a closed Yoshinoya shop in Sheung Wan, turning it into a Lennon Wall.
The Japanese food chain continues to be the target of extradition bill protesters after reportedly sacking employees for posting an ad that poked fun at local police.

Photo: Victor Ting


Yoshinoya faces protest heat

New World First Bus and Citybus have announced that due to road closure, 25 routes have been suspended, while 50 day-routes are being diverted. 
Routes suspended are 1, 5B, 5X, 10, 12, 12A, 12M, 13, 15C, 18, 18P, 18X, 26, 37B, 103, 260, 789, 967, 973, H1, H1A, H2, W1, X15, and X15R.
Routes diverted are 2, 4, 7, 8H, 11, 25, 37A, 71, 72, 72A, 88R, 90B, 91, 96, 101, 104, 109, 111, 112, 113, 115, 116, 170, 182, 307, 592, 601, 619, 680, 690, 720, 722, 780, 905, 914, 930, 930X, 948, 962, 962B, 962X, 969, 970, 970X, 971, A10, A11, A12, E11, and E11A.


Bus routes suspended or diverted

Scenes from Connaught Road West

Thousands gather on Connaught Road West, in a 200-metre stand-off with riot police holding shields.

Photo: Victor Ting


Thousands gather on Connaught Road West

On Connaught Road West where a stand-off is developing between protesters and police, demonstrators have placed art installations on the road to symbolise a thumbs-down against police. 
The items are by artist Sanmu Chan. He first presented these in Yuen Long on Saturday to spread the message that police were being used as political tools by "black hands from behind". 

Photo: Victor Ting


Thumbs down, black hands

People hand out single-trip tickets to protesters heading to Sai Wan at Causeway Bay MTR station.

Photo: Kimmy Chung


Free tickets to protesters

On Connaught Road West, police have raised the red flag, warning protesters that they will use force if crowds do not disperse. 

Photo: Victor Ting


Red flag warning raised

Police have used tear gas on Connaught Road West, where the main stand-off with protesters is taking place. The location is 200 metres from Beijing's liaison office.
Tear gas fired on Connaught Road West pic.twitter.com/8wvtx7NNQO
— Victor Ting (@VictorTing7) July 28, 2019


Tear gas fired

Riot police advanced on Des Veoux Rd W. Tear gas fired. Now being pushed up Western St. #728protest pic.twitter.com/94G0qy175z
— Xinqi Su (@XinqiSu) July 28, 2019


Tear gas also used on Des Voeux Road West

Police have pushed protesters back to Island Pacific Hotel in the stand-off on Connaught Road West, where tear gas is being used. 



Protesters pushed back on Connaught Road West

Ambulances pass through police's line of defence on Connaught Road West. It is yet to be clear whether the ambulances are there to treat injured police officers or protesters.

Photo: Victor Ting


Ambulances at protest site

The scene from Queen's Road West

As more protesters come from Causeway Bay to Sai Wan to boost their numbers where a stand-off with police is under way, officers raise the black-flag warning on Connaught Road West, indicating further use of tear gas if the crowd does not comply with orders to leave. Photos by Michelle Wong and Victor Ting. 




Protesters shore up numbers, tear gas warning issued again

Tear gas chaos on Connaught Road West

Protesters hold upturned umbrellas and less conventional items, such as swimming floats, on Des Voeux Road West. Photos by Felix Wong.




Standing their ground

More protesters are returning from Causeway Bay to the rally at Chater Garden, where the permit for an approved demonstration will expire at 11.59pm on Sunday.
Among them is Willie Wong (right, bottom pic), 28, who is with her boyfriend. She says: “We have not decided on the next step. We will stay here for the time being and decide where to go next, depending on police operations.” 
Photos by Michelle Wong.




Protesters return from Causeway Bay to Chater Garden

Police have been firing tear gas at several locations, and a black flag has been raised on Des Voeux Road West again.
 
WATCH: Moment when police fire tear gas INTO the crowd, not above them as stated in guidelines pic.twitter.com/4yJLcBjWX4
— Victor Ting (@VictorTing7) July 28, 2019


Moment tear gas was fired

The MTR says: "Because of public activities at street level, there will be an increase in the number of people in the areas between Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun. Crowd management measures may be implemented and selected entrances of stations may be closed if necessary."


MTR announcement

Riot police in Eastern Street appear to have lost their patience. A few of them shouted “rubbish councillors” when two district councillors tried to escort residents home. And they shouted at the media watching: “Hey, why don’t you go film the protestors? Why only observe us?”
“Rubbish councillors!” Some of the riot police shouted, as district councillors tried to escort three residents back home in Eastern Street. pic.twitter.com/4xwFwf9B95
— Kimmy Chung (@kimmykychung) July 28, 2019


Police losing patience

Protesters armed with rods charge closer to the police line at Connaught Road West near the liaison office. In response, police raise an orange flag as a warning to protesters that they will fire if they don't disperse


Protesters charge

Tear gas is fired three times in 10 minutes on Des Voeux Road West and also on Connaught Road West, near the liaison office, where a man suffering from a head wound receives medical treatment.
1943 Tear gas fired on Des Veoux Rd W again after riot police pushed back to protester.
One reporter was seen falling to ground before that, reportedly hit by objects hurled by protesters from his behind - to be further verified #728protest pic.twitter.com/PCSuMzoktx
— Xinqi Su (@XinqiSu) July 28, 2019
 
 


Tear gas fired again at various locations

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that facilities at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre are now closed. These include the swimming pool, soccer pitch and basketball courts. The Sheung Wan Sports Centre is also closed. 


Sports facilities closed

Photos by Felix Wong, Edmond So and Nora Tam. 





Chaos as night falls

Meanwhile, at Chater Garden where an approved rally is still under way, there are no further programmes held, but the stage remains open to any person who has views to express. Some are leaving. Photo by Michelle Wong. 

 


Chater Garden stage remains open

Police make at least a dozen arrests on Des Voeux Road West with protesters seen pressed to the ground or to the side of the streets after police fires more tear gas.
Meanwhile, riot police fire more tear gas on Connaught Road Central. Photos by Kimmy Chung and Victor Ting. 
 


 


Live | As it happened: How a seemingly directionless Hong Kong march stretched for 6km and still ended in clashes