Hong Kong protesters gather to mark Taiwan’s celebration of 108th anniversary of Republic of China in a show of defiance against Beijing
- Demonstrators gather in areas such as Sai Ying Pun, Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tin, Kowloon Tong and Tai Koo to mark ‘Double Tenth’ holiday
- About 100 people also join rally to show support for a young woman who suffered a serious eye injury during protest on August 11
Protesters gathered in various locations in Hong Kong on Thursday evening to mark Taiwan’s celebration of its 108th anniversary as the Republic of China, in a show of defiance against Beijing’s rule and the city government’s one-week-old ban on masks.
Protesters said the woman was hit by a police beanbag round during a violent showdown in Tsim Sha Tsui, but the force is not taking the blame, pending an investigation. There had been suggestions she was hit by a projectile from a protester’s catapult.
Dozens of officers left Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station at about 9pm for a stop and search operation after carrying one out about four hours earlier. One young man was taken into the station after police found a cutter on him.
At about 7pm, demonstrators started to gather in areas such as Sai Ying Pun, Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tin, Kowloon Tong and Tai Koo to unfurl Republic of China flags to mark the “Double Tenth” national holiday and chant slogans such as “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times!” and “Hongkongers, resist!”
