Chinese National Day: Hong Kong welcomes "return of peace", demonstrations prohibited

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Thursday hailed the "

" to the city on the occasion of China's National Day marked by the mobilization of a handful of demonstrators who intended to challenge the important police force deployed.

The People's Republic of China celebrates its creation every October 1, a public holiday that gives rise to highly supervised official festivities.

In the former British colony, this holiday is also an opportunity for part of the population to express their anger against Beijing's desire to revert to the freedoms guaranteed as part of the agreement to return it to China. in 1997.

Protests have mostly been banned since the start of the year in Hong Kong, where a draconian national security law, imposed by Beijing, came into force in June.

Helicopters displaying Chinese and Hong Kong flags flew over the territory as Ms. Lam and Chinese officials participated in a commemoration at the exhibition center, under close protection from law enforcement.

“

” Ms. Lam said in her speech.

"

."

6,000 police officers mobilized

Last year, the 70th anniversary gave rise to violent clashes between pro-democracy protesters and the police.

The authorities have banned any demonstration this year, for reasons of security and the fight against the coronavirus which prevents public gatherings of more than four people.

Ms. Lam, appointed by Beijing, also invoked the virus to postpone the legislative elections scheduled for early September to July.

A police source told AFP that 6,000 police officers had been mobilized on Thursday, double the number normally requisitioned when the authorities expect demonstrations.

Throughout the day, groups of well-known activists from the pro-democracy movement held small rallies, being careful to never be more than four.

"

" activist Lee Cheuk-yan told reporters.

Another, surrounded by around 40 police officers, chanted "

" and burned a petition.

Protesters also gathered outside the Liaison Office, which houses the Chinese central government relays in Hong Kong and was under guard.

"

It's not a day of celebration

"

The day before, Liaison Office Director Luo Huining called in a speech to instill more patriotism in Hong Kong, saying being proud of the motherland is a duty.

On Thursday morning, the police were very present across the city, carrying out searches and numerous checks.

In the busy shopping district of Causeway Bay, the scene of violent clashes last year, riot police waved banners calling on the crowd to disperse after being heckled.

"

" Joshua Wong, one of them told reporters. of the most famous figures of the pro-democracy movement, before being forced to move by the police.

Five people have been arrested this week on suspicion of instigating demonstrations and of committing violent acts.

Since the start of the year, it has been almost impossible to organize protests in the city.

During the rare gatherings that took place, riot police and plainclothes police quickly intervened: in a single day in early September nearly 300 people were arrested.

More than 10,000 people have been arrested for participating in protests over the past 16 months, along with several pro-democracy leaders.

The entry into force of the national security law helped put an end to the protest movement that rocked the territory last year.

It represses in particular secession and subversion, by providing for particularly severe penalties.

Condemned by many Western countries, it is considered necessary by Beijing and Hong Kong to restore stability.

It "

" the Liaison Office said this week.