In photos: Hong Kong police clash with protesters as territory marks China handover
Hong Kong protesters and police face-off outside government headquarters. Photo: Philip Fong/AFP/Getty Images
Police clashed Monday with protesters who tried to storm Hong Kong’s Legislative Council with a metal trolley and poles on the 22nd anniversary of the handover of the former British colony to China, Reuters reports.
Details: Thousands of protesters flooded the streets, as police used pepper spray and batons on protesters, per Reuters.
Why it matters: Hong Kong retained a high degree of autonomy when it was returned to China in 1997 — including the freedom to protest and an independent judiciary. Hong Kong residents worry that’s crumbling as the Chinese Communist Party tightens its grip, per Axio's Dave Lawler.
The big picture: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam pledged in a speech after a flag-raising ceremony to be more responsive to public sentiment following weeks of protests against a suspended bill that would allow extradition to mainland China, per AP. Protesters remain worried it could be reintroduced.
"This has made me fully realize that I, as a politician, have to remind myself all the time of the need to grasp public sentiments accurately."
In photos
Protesters tried to force their way into the government headquarters. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters gather to take part in the annual pro-democracy rally in a Hong Kong park. Photo: Sarah LAI / AFP) (Photo credit should read SARAH LAI/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters attempt to break a window at the government headquarters. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters try to force their way into the building by ramming a metal cart through the glass doors. Police responded with pepper spray. Photo: Vivek Prakash/AFP/Getty Images
A protester shouts in front of police outside the government headquarters after the annual flag raising ceremony. Photo: Philip Fong/AFP/Getty Images
Helicopters fly across Victoria Harbour carrying a Hong Kong (L) and China (R) for the annual ceremony. Photo: Philip Fong/AFP/Getty Images
Police officers attend a flag raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square. Photo: Zhang Wei/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
Police use batons on protesters during a clash near the Legislative Council Complex hours before protesters attacked the building. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Hong Kong police pepper-spray protesters outside the Legislative Council Complex hours before protesters attacked the building. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Protesters push barricades toward police on a street during a stand-off outside the Legislative Council Complex. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Protesters with makeshift shields to defend themselves against police outside the Legislative Council Complex. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Officials including Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (3rd L) in the Convention and Exhibition Centre toast the flag-raising ceremony marking the city's handover from the U.K. to China. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images
