Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
MIchael Howie

Hong Kong: University students fire flaming arrows as protesters set trains alight

A protester releases a fire arrow with his bow to light a barricade at the Chinese University of Hong Kong early on Wednesday (Picture: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images)

University students from China were fleeing Hong Kong today as the financial hub faced a third straight day of violent clashes between protesters and police.

Marine police used a boat to help a group of mainland students leave the Chinese University of Hong Kong, which remained barricaded by demonstrators who said police had “laid siege” to the campus.

Some students used bows and arrows to fire flaming projectiles while petrol bombs and fires lit up parts of the campus last night. Police battled back with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Security secretary John Lee said force was needed to gain control of a bridge which protesters were using to drop objects onto a road below. He said: “The police have a duty to ensure public safety is maintained.”

Pro-democracy protesters attempt to burn a MTR train during a demonstration at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on Wednesday (Anthony Kwan/Getty Images)

Mainland students have said in online posts that they are being targeted by demonstrators who have broken into their dormitories and spray-painted insults on walls.

Subway and rail stations were closed again this morning as doors were blocked from closing and train carriages were set on fire.

Police have arrested more than 3,500 people since the pro-democracy movement began in June over a now-withdrawn extradition bill.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.