Unrest in Hong Kong

[boomy]

It's another brutal remainder that Hong Kong belongs to China.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is there any evidence to suggest this was specifically ordered by China? Or by the Hong Kong authorities?

Police officers overusing force is not specific to any one country, or any one political regime. We've seen it claimed in the USA, and indeed here in Australia.

While there is no excuse for this type of behaviour, I think we might need to wait to find out if these were the actions of a rogue officer(s) rather than any political instruction.

 

[samh004]

Is there any evidence to suggest this was specifically ordered by China? Or by the Hong Kong authorities?

Police officers overusing force is not specific to any one country, or any one political regime. We've seen it claimed in the USA, and indeed here in Australia.

While there is no excuse for this type of behaviour, I think we might need to wait to find out if these were the actions of a rogue officer(s) rather than any political instruction.

You have a point, but at the very least these officers don't deserve to keep their jobs, whether they were following orders or decided to take action themselves.

 

[boomy]

Is there any evidence to suggest this was specifically ordered by China? Or by the Hong Kong authorities?

Police officers overusing force is not specific to any one country, or any one political regime. We've seen it claimed in the USA, and indeed here in Australia.

While there is no excuse for this type of behaviour, I think we might need to wait to find out if these were the actions of a rogue officer(s) rather than any political instruction.

There were also a number of reports about gangsters being released out of prison and sent to the streets to confront the students.
I don't know if the people seen in the video are real police officers or not and it doesn't really matter. What I do know is the tactics used by the HK government resemble more totalitarian regimes like Egypt and Russia rather then USA and Australia, therefore I have no doubt who is really in control of HK.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There were also a number of reports about gangsters being released out of prison and sent to the streets to confront the students.

can you provide a link please?

 

[amaroo]

The involvement of gangsters/triads were viewed by the locals (young hotel staff) we spoke with as being related to protection money not being paid by affected business owners - just saying.

 

[boomy]

can you provide a link please?

I saw these reports on the news a while ago. I wasn't shocked by them, it's not the first time this tactic is used to intimidate protestors and try to turn a peaceful demonstration to a violent one to finally justify the use of force by the authorities.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I saw these reports on the news a while ago. I wasn't shocked by them, it's not the first time this tactic is used to intimidate protestors and try to turn a peaceful demonstration to a violent one to finally justify the use of force by the authorities.

I accept triad gangs may have become involved, but the specific release of prisoners was something I wasn't sure of. I have searched but cannot find any reference to that, or any allegations of such by either side.

 

[JohnK]

Anyone there now? How bad is the unrest? Can you still go about your business?

Interesting that hotels have not been discounted in the slightest for the next 3 weeks.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Anyone there now? How bad is the unrest? Can you still go about your business?

Interesting that hotels have not been discounted in the slightest for the next 3 weeks.

Been twice in the past month, another trip in a few days.
It's largely very peaceful still a little bit going on.

Travel insurance denied a claim for a prepaid hotel I had in the area, which tells you it was never a real threat.

 

[soloman4475]

The situation there seems to be getting worse not better at the moment unfortunately

 

[JMFK]

Just came back (this morning). Quite a bizarre site to see empty streets in and around Admiralty. From what we did see it was just people camped out, very peaceful. But huge police presence.

Made traffic pretty bad as is to be expected.

 

[NFF]

Is the protest finished ? It's London's turn.

 

[JohnK]

Did I read somewhere more demonstrations for tomorrow, Sunday?

London protests?

 

[NFF]

There was/is a Million Mask March in London.

 

[Globetrotter]

Anyone there now? How bad is the unrest? Can you still go about your business?

Interesting that hotels have not been discounted in the slightest for the next 3 weeks.

I'm flying to Hanoi via HKG tomorrow and will be spending 4 nights in HKG (Central area) from Wednesday onwards. I'm hoping there's not too many disruptions.

 

[yohy?!]

Just got back from HK on Wednesday all is quiet and is expected to stay that way whilst APEC is on.

Walked through the Mong Kok site which is a marked improvement on the usual smog and traffic in the area.

 

[JohnK]

There was/is a Million Mask March in London.

Had to Google the term.

Fighting for pro-democracy with violence? Seem to be as bad as anarchists.

 

[Daver6]

I was in HK a few weeks ago during the protests. Saw them in both Central and Admiralty. In fact walked right through them and felt perfectly safe. Given I was using the MTR, I didn't find the protests to be disruptive at all. In fact, suspect it made getting around Mong Kok either. Crossing Nathan Road was easy given the lack of traffic

 

[robd]

Very difficult to get in or out of Langham Place Hotel Mongkok last night. I went outside at about 9pm to have a look see and there were about 200 police just outside the door. I retreated to Club L and others returning later said the only way into or out of the hotel was via underground entry. Level 4 between the hotel & mall was blocked off.