Hong Kong International Airport reopened Tuesday after a massive demonstration forced a shutdown a day earlier, but activists returned to protest there for a 5th day — despite threats from China and the city's leader Carrie Lam.
The latest: Over 100 flights remained cancelled as a few thousand protesters returned in the afternoon, per AP. Paramilitary police were assembling across the border in Shenzhen — a move some see as a threat to protesters, AP notes. Lam said the city was heading down "a path of no return," with "lawbreaking activities in the name of freedom" damaging the rule of law.
Here's what Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam said when asked if she had the autonomy to fully withdraw the extradition bill that initially triggered protests in the city https://t.co/cF1C43elMf pic.twitter.com/KVRcADOv45
— Bloomberg (@business) August 13, 2019
Why it matters: The airport protests mark the biggest disruption yet to the Chinese-controlled territory's economy since protests began in June.
- Monday's protest prompted the Chinese government to claim the former British colony's uprising contains "sprouts of terrorism, " raising fears China may use such language to justify a heavy-handed response, or harsh charges for those detained.
The big picture: The disruption at the airport — one of the busiest in the world, with about 1,100 flights daily across about 200 destinations — came after riot police used tear gas on Hong Kongers in a 10th straight weekend of protests.
- On Monday, Airport authorities canceled all remaining flight departures after thousands of demonstrators packed the main terminal and bus, train and taxi exits, per Reuters.
- Lam defended police amid brutality claims. Police told a news conference earlier some officers posed as protesters during unrest Sunday, according to the BBC.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with more details on the demonstrations, airport developments and Lam's comments.
Go deeper: Podcast: Behind the Hong Kong protests
