 Years of dashed hopes fuel Hong Kong protest rage Hong Kong (AFP) June 12, 2019 - As Hong Kong is convulsed by fresh anti-government protests, many of those who have taken to the streets say they feel this is their last chance to protect the city's freedoms after years of slow strangulation by Beijing. Four years ago huge pro-democracy "Umbrella Movement" protests brought parts of the city to a standstill for months, but that campaign eventually fizzled without the government making any major concessions. The current protests are focused on a controversial proposal to introduce a law allowing extraditions to countries Hong Kong doesn't already have a treaty with -- including China. Organisers said over a million people took to the streets on Sunday -- police put the figure at a more modest 240,000 -- but pro-Beijing Chief Executive Carrie Lam has rejected all calls to delay or withdraw the bill. "We have been listening and listening very attentively," she said after Sunday's protests, but insisted her administration had already made substantial concessions. While the extradition law may be the rallying point for protesters, many say dissatisfaction is more deeply rooted. Here are some of those voices: Kit Ho, 35, a finance worker, had tears streaming down her face as she described why she felt compelled to join the protests. "The government wasn't elected by the people and clearly they don't pass laws based on the universal values shared by Hong Kongers and the international community. "There hasn't been any time for Hong Kong people to gasp for breath. We have worked so hard to build a civilised society." Jason Ng, a lawyer and activist who wrote a book about the Umbrella Movement said the backlash against the extradition law had been caused by "outrage and worry" growing for years. "Since the Umbrella Movement in 2014, Beijing has accelerated its political agenda for Hong Kong and tightened its grip on civil society. "It's much more wary of dissent and less likely to give in to protests and other forms of popular demands, for fear that it might encourage and embolden civil society. "The extradition bill controversy has backfired on Beijing by galvanising civil society once again, after years of apathy and protest fatigue in the aftermath of the Umbrella Movement. "The more Beijing pushes, the harder Hong Kong people push back." Claudia Mo, a veteran pro-democracy lawmaker, believes China's patience with Hong Kong's raucous democracy movement is wearing thin. "Beijing is obviously fed up with Hong Kong after the Umbrella Movement, that Hong Kongers have simply refused to learn to be grateful and obedient to the mother country. "But we won't accept defeat. The one million strong protest parade was a display of the power of the powerless." Tom Chan, 28, a finance worker, took the day off work and donned a black mask and dark glasses to join the protesters because he felt profoundly pessimistic about the city's future. "Of course I hope this can be resolved peacefully, without any clashes, but it depends on whether the government is willing to communicate with the people. If they continuously ignore the opinion of the whole society, then it could provoke resistance. "I think this is even grimmer than the Umbrella Movement. The government is ignoring the will of the people even more after that occupation. I feel even more miserable now."
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President Donald Trump said Wednesday he understands Hong Kong protesters who have risen up against plans to allow extraditions to China, but hopes they can "work it out" with Beijing.
"I hope they're going to be able to work it out with China," Trump told reporters at the White House, as Hong Kong was rocked by the worst political violence since its handover to China.
"I understand the reason for the demonstration," he said. "I hope it all works out for China and for Hong Kong."
Trump's cautious response to what he said were "massive" demonstrations came as Washington and Beijing try to pick up the pieces of their collapsed talks on resolving a trade war.
"We're doing very well with respect to China," Trump said, referring to huge trade tariffs imposed on Chinese imports.
Trump reiterated that he expects to meet President Xi Jinping at a G20 summit later this month.
"I have a feeling that we're going to make a deal with China," he said.
EU says Hong Kong rights 'need to be respected'
Brussels (AFP) June 12, 2019 -
The European Union said Wednesday the Hong Kong government must respect citizens rights while all sides should exercise restraint after violent protests against plans to allow extradition to mainland China.
"Over the past days, the people of Hong Kong have exercised their fundamental right to assemble and express themselves freely and peacefully. These rights need to be respected," a statement issued by the EU's external affairs arm said.
"Restraint should be exercised by all sides; violence and escalatory responses must be avoided," it added.
Hong Kong was rocked Wednesday by the worst political unrest since its 1997 handover to China as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters who tried to storm parliament and blocked roads in the financial hub.
The violent protests were the latest expression of widespread public anger over the government's controversial Beijing-backed plan to allow extraditions to China.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who is championing the law's passage, described the protests as "organised riots" and called for calm to be restored.
The EU said it "shares many of the concerns raised by citizens of Hong Kong regarding the government's proposed extradition reforms, and has conveyed these to the government."
The issue was "sensitive... with potentially far-reaching consequences for Hong Kong and its people, for EU and foreign citizens, as well as for business confidence in Hong Kong," it said.
To chart a way forward, it suggested "an in-depth, inclusive public consultation would help," urging the government to pursue this option.
UK urges Hong Kong to listen to public concerns
London (AFP) June 12, 2019 -
Former colonial ruler Britain urged the Hong Kong government to "listen to the concerns of its people" amid violent protests Wednesday against plans to allow extraditions to mainland China.
"The ongoing protests in Hong Kong are a clear sign of significant public concern about the proposed changes to extradition laws. I call on all sides to remain calm and peaceful," Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in a statement.
"I urge the Hong Kong government to listen to the concerns of its people and its friends in the international community and to pause and reflect on these controversial measures.
"It is essential that the authorities engage in meaningful dialogue and take steps to preserve Hong Kong's rights and freedoms and high degree of autonomy, which underpin its international reputation.
"Upholding the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems', provided for in the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration, is vital to Hong Kong's future success."
Britain handed control of Hong Kong back to China in 1997 on the basis of the Joint Declaration it signed with Beijing which guarantees freedoms in the semi-autonomous city until 2047.
- 'Chilling effect' -
Violent clashes broke out in Hong Kong on Wednesday as police tried to stop protesters storming the city's parliament, while tens of thousands of people blocked key arteries in a show of strength against government plans to allow extraditions to China.
Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and batons to disperse crowds of black-clad demonstrators -- most of them young people and students -- calling on the authorities to scrap the Beijing-backed law.
Speaking in parliament, British Prime Minister Theresa May said London was concerned about the potential effect of the proposals, particularly given the large number of UK citizens in Hong Kong.
"We have been unequivocal in our views," she told MPs.
"It is vital that those extradition arrangements are in line with the rights and freedoms that were set down in that... Joint Declaration."
Foreign Office Asia minister Mark Field told parliament on Monday that Britain fears a "chilling effect" on Hong Kong freedoms if the extradition laws are approved.
He said Britain "remains acutely aware" of its enduring responsibilities towards Hong Kong through the Joint Declaration.
"Many fear, above all, that Hong Kong nationals and residents risk being pulled into China's legal system which can involve lengthy pre-trial detentions, television confessions and an absence of many of the judicial safeguards that we see in Hong Kong," Field said.
"The changes that they have proposed fail to address fully a number of the core issues that we and others have raised."
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