Unrest as UFC Shenzhen plays out amid Hong Kong protests and China’s paramilitary anti-riot drill

Universiade Sports Centre hosts UFC Fight Night 157 on Saturday, but some Hongkongers concerned about crossing border to watch historic show

Police hold drill with armed officers subduing ‘protesters’ at another sports stadium in Shenzhen as army and navy forces cross border into Hong Kong

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Zhang Weili at the UFC Shenzhen open workouts. Photo: Handout

Published: 8:00am, 31 Aug 2019Updated: 8:00am, 31 Aug 2019

The Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre will play host to UFC Fight Night 157 on Saturday, with the event set to play out amid a backdrop of protest unrest in neighbouring Hong Kong.

Just two days before the event, China’s paramilitary force staged an anti-riot drill at another sports stadium just 40km across the city, the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre, according to mainland Chinese media.

The drill featured scenes mirroring the ongoing anti-government protests across the border in Hong Kong. Hundreds of armed officers clashed with people playing the roles of protesters, according to the state-run Global Times.

The exercise came on the same day that the People’s Liberation Army’s Hong Kong Garrison staged what it called a routine troop rotation, with army and navy forces entering the city before sunrise.

Armed helicopters from the garrison’s air forces also flew into the city in daylight on Thursday morning.