HONG KONG—Hong Kong is braced for a weekend of unrest with pro-democracy protests likely to mount in the China-ruled territory ahead of the 70th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) takeover of China on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Thousands of people are expected to rally in the city center on Saturday evening after authorities granted a permit for a gathering at Tamar Park, next to the headquarters of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council.
The Asian financial hub marks the fifth anniversary this weekend of the start of the “Umbrella” protests, a series of pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014 that failed to wrest concessions from Beijing.
Rallies are also expected on Sunday to mark Global Anti-Totalitarianism Day, with solidarity events planned in cities across the world, including Paris, Berlin, Taipei, New York, Kiev, and London.
But the biggest protests are likely to be on the Oct. 1 National Day, with protesters saying they plan to use the holiday to propel calls for greater democracy in the former British colony.
Activists plan a mass rally from Victoria Park in the bustling Causeway Bay district to Chater Garden near government headquarters.
Official festivities have been scaled back, with authorities keen to avoid embarrassing Beijing at a time when Chinese leader Xi Jinping is seeking to project an image of national strength and unity.
Benny Tai, a leading activist who was jailed for his role in the “Umbrella” movement, says that campaign revolutionized youngsters and set the stage for the current protests.
Pro-Beijing rallies are also planned in the city, raising the prospect of clashes.
Hong Kong has been roiled by sometimes violent demonstrations for months, with protesters blocking roads and vandalizing metro stations and riot police firing tear gas, pepper spray, and water cannon at crowds.
Sparked by a bill—since withdrawn—that would have allowed extradition of suspected criminals to mainland China, the protests have since expanded into a broader pro-democracy movement.
Protesters are angry about what they see as creeping Chinese interference in Hong Kong, which returned to China in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula intended to guarantee freedoms that are not enjoyed on the mainland.
Hong Kong’s economy is on the verge of its first recession in a decade. Tourist arrivals in August dropped by nearly half from the same month in 2018, Commerce Secretary Yau Tang-wah told reporters on Friday.
“Arrivals in August dropped 49.6 percent,” he said. “Early in September they dropped by 30 percent to 40 percent.”
More than four hours after the talks had ended, a convoy carrying Lam and other senior officials left the area under police guard.
“Like many participants said last night, Hong Kong should not be divided into colors. Diversity and freedom are cherished values in our society,” Lam said on her Facebook page.
“There were people outside the venue who wanted me to go out to talk. I know that everyone has different opinions about the form of dialogue. I promise that the dialogue will continue.”
Beijing-backed Lam was holding talks with 150 members of the community, with speakers criticizing Lam on a number of issues including curbs on electoral freedoms, ignoring public opinion, and refusing to allow an independent inquiry into allegations of police brutality during the protests.
Resident Poon Yau-lok, 62, was skeptical that Thursday’s talks would make any difference.
“They wouldn’t listen when 200,000 people marched on the street,” she told Reuters. “Why would they listen to just 150?”
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