Hong Kong government issued a statement late Tuesday (October 1st) condemning “online orchestration of violent acts in various districts across the territory” and what it called “very dangerous riots.” It accused those behind the disturbances of “leading Hong Kong to a chaotic and panic state.”
And variety of different political leaders and parties expressed strong condemnation of the citywide protests in Hong Kong by so-called the Black-shirt Movement.
In regards to the assault on a police officer who discharged his gun in self defence, “On the incident that anti- government protester was shot by the police, the New People’s Party strongly condemns people who instigate and encourage young people—especially secondary school students – to participate in illegal violent protests in the false name of democracy and freedom,” the party’s statement said.
Expert said this is not an isolated incident. This is part of a well-organized structure and prepared funded campaign against the administration and people of Hong Kong.
The police also issued a statement, saying “Public safety has been jeopardized and the public order of the whole city is being pushed to the verge of a very dangerous situation.”
Hong Kong police have defended the shooting of a schoolboy in Tsuen Wan at close range with live ammunition as an act of self-defence.
“The police officers’ lives were under serious threat. To save his own life and his colleague’s, he fired a shot at the assailant,” said Police Public Relations Branch Senior Superintendent Yolanda Yu.
“The police do not wish to see anyone injured in the incident. It is very heartbreaking. We must warn again that all rioters must stop illegal acts. The police will continue to enforce the law seriously,” she added.
At a press conference Wednesday (2/10), Tang Ping-keung, deputy commissioner of police, defended the shooting of the young protester. “The use of force was lawful and reasonable,” he said. “Some say that it was police who provoked the attack, but this is wrong. At that time our colleagues were being chased and attacked by a large number of rioters.”
Tsang Chi-kin, a teenage rioter, was shot after swarming and battering a fallen police officer with what appeared to be a metal rod. In total, 180 people were arrested for offences ranging from rioting, unlawful assembly, assaulting police officers or possession of offensive weapons. 104 people taken to hospital and 25 officers injured according to police chief Stephen Lo.
A secondary student at the Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College is in hospital in stable condition. According to the Hospital Authority, his injuries were not life-threatening.
Hundreds of people staged a peaceful sit-in outside the teenager’s school on Wednesday. Meanwhile, 96 people, mostly students, are due to appear in court charged with rioting.
Hong Kong was in chaos, while in Beijing, thousands of performers took part in a stunning, highly choreographed display in Tiananmen Square to celebrate China’s National Day.
The Special Administrative Region (SAR) was covered with fires set, subway stations and government buildings vandalized, shops and stores looted, and protesters clashing with police and residents across multiple districts in street battles.
Hong Kong has seen four months of protests sparked by proposed changes to an extradition bill. Though the changes have been abandoned, the unrest has continued, expanding into demands for greater democracy.
